Guitar Gear

Last Friday evening (1/31/2025), I went to see Charo at Villa Montalvo in Saratoga, CA. Admittedly, it wouldn’t have been a concert that I’d actively seek to attend, but my wife got some tickets from a donor from an organization with which she volunteers, so we went.

I didn’t have many expectations. I knew she was a character having seen her over the decades on various TV shows while I was growing up, so I figured that with her big personality, the show would at least be entertaining. But nothing prepared me for the sheer amount of energy she had! After all, she’s seventy-four years old!

But when she walked on stage, all my preconceptions were completely obliterated! She looked great and had an energy and verve that belied her physical age. No, she didn’t do her trademark “coochie-coo” shtick, but she was dynamic nonetheless.

After doing several singing numbers, she told the audience that she was going to play her guitar. I knew she played flamenco, though I didn’t remember ever seeing her play. But when she said she was trained by the late, great Andrés Segovia, my mind was blown. I had no idea. And nothing could prepare me for her incredible technique. Here’s a clip:

That was a clip of the first song she played, and the only thing I could say when she finished was, “Oh. My. F-ing. GAWD!” The speed and precision with which she played those scales was amazing! Look, I’m not a fanboy, but I admire her talent and skill. And to still be able to play like that is inspiring to me.