I just learned what "gypsy" means.

[MGKrebs]

...and the derivation is 'from Egypt", because that's where they were thought to have come from, although now it appears that they actually came to western Europe from India.

'Flamenco' music is gypsy music. But the Flamenco (solo guitar) that we are mostly familiar with is a recent development. Flamenco normally includes vocals and, of course, dance. The vocal style is very Middle Eastern.

Django Reinhart was a gypsy. And two fingers on his left hand were permanently damaged in a childhood accident. Look closely at pictures of him and you can see that he had limited use of those fingers. Amazing.

Speaking of fingers, Hound Dog Taylor had six fingers on HIS left hand, although that sixth digit was of little use to him. In fact, apparently he cut it off on a bartop on a dare one night. Haven't seen it on eBay (yet) though.

That is all.

[Caution]

1. The Roma

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roma_%28people%29

[Bertha Venation]

2. speaking of guitarists and their fingers

Back when I was a fundy and way into "contemporary Christian" music, I heard that guitarist Phil Keaggy had chopped off one of the fingers of his right hand because it got in the way.

Does anyone know if this is actually true?

Back then, I swallowed it whole because it gave me something wonderful to be self-righteous about. "Why, he was on drugs when he did it. And he didn't know that he could glorify God through his music even though he thought he was hindered. *tsk*" (GAWD but I was disgusting.)

[Lydia Leftcoast]

3. If you like ethnomusicology or are interested in Romany culture

there's a terrific movie called Lacho Drom, which portrays Romany music and dance across the Eurasian continent from India to Spain.

Even though some of these groups left India hundreds of years ago, you can still see the common traits of the groups in all those countries.

[MGKrebs]

4. made a note! Thanks.

It's about as close to magic as I can comprehend, to be able to somehow transport yourself to a different time and place, and get even just a little tiny taste or feel of it.

[kodi]

5. tzigane

good scrable word too

[Nevernose]

6. Hound Dog Taylor is one of my all time favs

"She's gone, oh she's gone!"

You'll just have to imagine my air guitar.

[MGKrebs]

7. Give me back my wig!

Honey now let your head go bald.
Didn't really have no business
Givin' you no wig at all.