Triana (prog rock / Spain)

Triana was a Spanish progressive rock band from the 70's and early 80's, heavily influenced by flamenco, hailing from Andalusia. It was composed of Jesús de la Rosa Luque.

Years active: 1974–1983

History:

The main goal of the band was to merge flamenco music with progressive rock. The band was influenced by other progressive rock-bands, like Vanilla Fudge and the early King Crimson. The band developed a hard progressive and experimental sound during its three first albums. Later, the sound turned into more fresh pop.

El Patio, Triana's debut, was released in 1975, and it had a strong influence on the post-Franco young people, despite poor marketing and promotion. Two songs stood out in this album, and became standards of the group: "Abre la puerta" and "En el lago". The latter is a surrealistic evocation of an LSD trip. El Patio is considered the founder of a rock-style developed in Andalusia called, in Spanish, rock andaluz.

The second Triana's album, Hijos del Agobio, was released in 1977. The band maintained its pure progressive rock style. However, in this album Triana developed politically inspired lyrics.

Progressive Stage:

Their first three albums clearly reflect these trends. El Patio, their debut, has a great success among the most troubled youth, despite a practically zero promotion. It contains two songs that became classics of the group within the school and create rock andaluz: "Abre la Puerta" ("Open the Door") and "En el Lago" ("In the Lake"), dreamy evocation of a lysergic trip.

Hijos del agobio ("Children of the strain") in 1977, released in a very significant moment in the history of Spain, addresses political issues: the exaltation of the freedom ( "The guitar in the morning you spoke / freedom", they sing in Rumor) and while the lack of organized political ( "all seek to know and say what you think you / with elegant gestures and harsh words at a time. / We want to choose, and without saying more than anyone / the path that leads to the edge of the freedom "in the subject You are right!).

Finally, Sombra y luz ("Shadow and Light", 1979) revives their more progressive elements, the music is darker and more experimental than on previous albums, with elements of jazz (Sombra y luz, Shadow and light) and presence of the electric guitar (Una historia, A story). Only one of the songs (Quiero contarte, I want to tell you, a sort of rewriting of their previous song, Abre la puerta , Open the door) maintains some up-beat pop.

Commercial stage:

Triana later moved towards a more commercial sound. However, it still has considerable strengths as Tu frialdad (1980), their only number one hit, or Llegó el día (1983), the longest track ever recorded by the group which gave name to their final album.

Jesus de la Rosa died in a car accident on October 14, 1983, putting an end to the creative life of the group.

Members:

Jesús de la Rosa Luque - voice and keyboards 
Eduardo Rodríguez Rodway - voice and guitar 
Juan José Palacios "Tele" - drums and percussion



History of the band (YouTube):

Triana - Abre La Puerto Nina:

En el lago:

Discography:

El Patio (1975)
Hijos del Agobio (1977)
Sombra y luz (1979)
Un encuentro (1980)
Un mal sueño (1981)
Llegó el día (1983)