Raphael returns to Ecuador: I love this profession and I will be in it until the end

He connects to the video call 10 minutes before the agreed time, what stands out the most -as soon as his camera turns on- is not his wine-concho diver, nor his gold records in the background; but the elegance of her broad smile. The journalist goes out of her protocol for a while and confesses the joy of talking live with the owner of the songs that have accompanied her since she was little. -That was only yesterday-, she refutes with a unique grace and with her ‘very Spanish’ accent. raphael counts the days to meet again with his Ecuadorian public this March 13, the day on which he will offer his concert Raphael Resinphonic in the company of National Symphony Orchestra of Ecuador at General Rumiñahui Coliseum.

How does it feel to be back on tour?

It feels really nice, because keep in mind that it’s been two years. Although in reality I didn’t stop, I started recording, and after the health system let me give my concerts, I started my concerts last year. So it hasn’t been that long for me. I was already looking forward to going to my theaters and seeing my audience in front of me. I always enjoy myself to the fullest on stage.

I think that the artist’s greatest gift is to reconnect with his audience live.

Yes, because through radio, television is not the same.

And to return to Ecuador? His last concert here was in 2018.

It makes me feel very happy, because I am an artist who has been very lucky in America, because you have wonderful countries in America. I love coming back and I love meeting my people again, with my lifelong audience, and with the new generations as well; like you for example. For me it is an honor to be back in Ecuador, it was a very pending account… I have made myself wait a little, but don’t worry the people who are going to reward you.

What musical surprises will there be at your concert? Could it be that there will be a preview of your next album?

Yes, there will be quite a few surprises; but the public should not be afraid because I also sing the ones that they are once again wanting to hear.

What is the song that the public asks for the most?

The public doesn’t usually ask me for songs, because they know perfectly well that I’ve already taken care of putting the ones they like in the repertoire. The public and I agree a lot.

So record something new right now.

There will be a new album, because 6.0 is that it is now on the market and it came out before Christmas, and now the next release is in November of this year.

He has been on the go and has given us collaborations with contemporary artists, including Carlos Rivera and Manuel Carrasco. How do you rate this experience of interpreting your lifelong songs with today’s voices?

They were songs that I wanted to sing in duets, and I chose a large number of artist friends to accompany me. And it has been a very nice experience and it is very similar to one I had when I turned 50 (of my career), when I made the album with Serrat, with Bosé, with Alejandro, and other Spanish artists.

It’s been 60 years in music. How do you keep this love for music intact? In his eyes that passion is perceived when interpreting each song live.

The main thing about this profession is that you have to like it a lot; and I really like this profession. I really enjoy being on stage, I really enjoy recording; I really like doing everything that this profession entails. So I am a happy man in that sense, because I am lucky to be successful in what I like to do.

If you had music reincarnated in front of you, what would you say?

We would listen to good music and comment on the music.

I won’t ask what songs they would listen to, but I’m sure yours would be there.

Yes, there would be several, yes. (smile)

What has been the hardest thing about the music scene?

There is nothing difficult for me in this race, because as I said before, I was lucky to choose what I liked; and I was lucky to be reciprocated by the public. I love this profession, and I will be in it until the end.

With the so-called ‘price of fame’ included?

However, it always depends on how you do it, how you face things.

And even a documentary series called Raphaelism have.

I have felt very comfortable, it has made me remember many things and this will continue for sure. And I have news Movistar+ has reached an agreement with people from America so that this documentary of mine will be screened before August arrives; then in a few months it will be put in your wonderful countries.

I read somewhere that you are one of those few artists of the time who is in danger of extinction.

Those words that you just dedicated to me are very similar to ones that were dedicated to me a long time ago, which said ‘Raphael is the only artist left to us made by hand’. (AND)