Puerto Rican musical culture

Good Evening everyone!

The Salsa article that was written by Sue Steward features a wealth of information on the topic of Salsa. It features short synopsis biographies on artists like Ruben Blades and Celia Cruz.

I don’t really think there is much that is lacking necessarily. I wish the author would provide more detail on the artists biographies. For example, I am extremely motivated by the music of Celia Cruz and Ricky Martin. I am also heavily influenced by Santana. His songs “Black Magic Woman” and “Oye Como Va” rock. When I was twelve years old, I remember the song “Smooth” that featured Rob Thomas and Santana. I remember when it came out on the radio…it was a great moment.

I found it very interesting that in San Juan, Puerto Rico in July you can experience “a spree of fiestas patronales, with all-night dancing and music provided by the island’s great small salsa bands on stages in every town square”.

Also in New York, “the annual Labor Day Salsa Fiesta is a summer stadium jamboree and a perfect way to catch up with the top Latin and tropical acts. The tradition was founded by Fania records in the 1980′s” (Steward, 501). The only aspect that I think it lacks is artist biographical detail. What other music is available in San Juan?

I think it’s suave to call Ruben Blades “Latin’s Bruce Springsteen”.

In closing, I think its neat what the late Celia Cruz said about Salsa: “Cuban music with another name. It’s mambo, chachacha, rumba, son..all the Cuban rhythms under one name”.
I think it is fair to say that Desi Arnaz was instrumental in bringing Cuban mambo to New York. I really like the song “Babalu” and “Cuban Pete”. Both songs were made popular on the “I Love Lucy” tv show in the 1950′s.

Add a comment November 30, 2009

Bomba y Plena de Puerto Rico video

Good Morning Everyone!

I hope everyone had a nice relaxing Thanksgiving break!

I must say that I am simply astounded by this video!!! The music is certainly “latin fused”. I love the bass line and the spanish acoustic guitar riff.

It reminds me of the same power and energy of Cuban music. The festive costumes of the dancers are really beautiful. The dance goes together well with the music. The music is very percussive…and very catchy. It’s simply incredible! I love the Latin vocals. The female dancers dresses’ are beautiful.
This song is very fast yet very romantic. It also has beautiful chorus vocals. I can imagine this type of dance happening in a ball room somewhere.

It also reminds me of Desi Arnaz inspired mambo music. Whenever I hear latin music it reminds me of Desi’s music. He was, after all, the “king” of Mamo music!
Rock on!!!!

This music has its own special legacy and I really dig it!

Add a comment November 29, 2009

Cuban Listening description: El Caballo Viejo

Good Morning everyone!

On a side note, I would like to share a song by John Lennon called “Now and Then”. It is really beautiful! Enjoy!
I have also included a Beatles classic “All You Need Is Love”.

For this posting, I have chosen to do El Caballo Viejo.

This is a great “Latin fusion song”. There are acoustic guitars, wooden rattle shakers, trumpet (carries main melody). There is a clear and concise clave pattern throughout the song. There are also vocals that begin in the middle song followed by strong trumpet solo.
Then, there are percussion patterns that follow the trumpet’s lead. The lyrical phrases repeat themselves. The song is abruptly ended by a short percussive pattern that seems to be played by the congos. The wooden “rattle” shakers maintain the same tempo/rhythm. I can definitely dance to this song. This “latin-jazz” genre could be easily played in a Mexican restaurante! This song is so relaxing!!!
I really dig this song! The lyrical phrasing is short and the instrumentation is the main structure of the song. The tempo is rather moderate and constant. It’s very repetitive and it has that special “latin” feel! The Latin/Cuban influence is certainly present. It’s multilayered and each instrument is performing it’s own sound. This song really reminds me of last Friday nights performance. It has a special “live” sound quality. Everything is clear…the vocals…the trumpet solo…..the percussive “heartbeats”. This song reminds me of music from “The Mask Of Zorro”.
I can imagine people dancing to this music in a majestic ballroom….a beautiful senorita in a red dress dancing with her true love…
This song brings many images to my head….California deserts…cactus…..fiestas…

It’s brilliant!

I would like to share a song by the Eagles called “Hotel California”. This song is sung by the great rock legend Don Henley. As you are listening to the song, take note of the imagery in the lyrics…

Add a comment November 18, 2009

Research on Cuba!

Good evening everyone!

I found that Ry Cooder was part of a documentary for the “Buena Vista Social Club album”! Wow! I would really like to see that film!!

I also learned that Ry Cooder has collaborated with the Rolling Stones. He even was a guest musician on their album “Let it Bleed”. I often wonder if the Rolling Stones got that name from the Beatles! I wonder if the Rolling Stones are doing a parody of the Beatles album “Let it Be” which was released on record in early 1970!

I would really like to listen to Ry Cooder! He sounds like a pretty creative guy!

Desi Arnaz was a big fan of Xavier Cugat! In the “I Love Lucy” episode called “Lucy goes to Scotland”, Desi Arnaz (Ricky Ricardo) mentions Xavier Cugat!! It’s a great episode.

As far as Cuban festivals, I am sure there are thousands of events around the world playing cuban music. I really love cuban music! Keep Rockin’
Aloha!

Add a comment November 17, 2009

Cuban Music!

Hola Everyone!

Buenas Tardes!

I have always been interested in Cuban music and I would have to say that my favorite Cuban musician is Desi Arnaz. I want to thank everyone…especially Professor Armstrong for letting us experience a live Latin music show!! Friday night’s musical experience is something that I will always treasure! The last song in the set was especially empowering!

As for the article on Cuba, it has a wealth of information on different artists and it really focuses on the African traits of Cuban music. African roots….author Jan Fairley does a fantastic job explaining accurately musical traits. For example, she talks about rumba. She says “The basic pattern of Rumba informs much Afro-Cuban music. A long lyrical vocal melody unfolds above the patterns of the drums, allowing the lead singer to state the main theme. Then on a pre-arranged cue the rhythm tightens up, the chorus joins in, and the call and response section begins, allowing the singer to improvise and express heightened emotions, while the quinto drum trades rhythms with the other percussion” (Pg. 387 Fairley).

The article also survey on social conditions in Cuba. For example, Fairley says: “After Castro’s 1959 revolution, the island’s music business was, like everything else, transformed. Radio stations and record companies became state institutions. The mob pulled out with dictator Batista, while the US-owned property was appropriated for workers. As hotels and nightclubs remained empty, many musicians joined those Cubans leaving the country for exile in Miami or New York. Among their number were Celia Cruz and her band Sonoro Mantancera who applied for US residency after securing a residency at the Hollywood Palladium” (Pg. 391, Fairley).

Celia Cruz was known as the Queen of Salsa and Son! She passed away in July 2003. She was certainly a musical legend. Also, what I found very interesting is that Desi Arnaz performed a version of “El Manicero” (The Peanut Vendor) in the mid 1940′s. “El Manicero” was written by Moises Simon!
I would like to listen to the “Buena Vista Social Club album” that features Ry Cooder (who worked with one of my musical heroes…Lindsey Buckingham), Compay Segundo, Ruben Gonzalez , Omara Portuondo, Manuel Galvan etc…
This album was recorded in 1996. Ry Cooder says “That is the best thing I was ever involved in. It’s the peak, a music that takes care of you and nurtures you. I felt that I had trained all my life for this experience and it was a blessed thing. These are the greatest musicians alive on the planet today, hot-shot players and classic people. In my experience, Cuban musicians are unique. The organization of the musical group is perfectly understood, there is no ego, no jockeying for position so they have evolved the perfect ensemble concept.” (pg. 395, Fairley). The album was recorded in Havana!

Does anyone know where I can get a copy of this album?!?

Overall, I think this is a well written article on the unique and empowering music of Cuba. I would like to find out more about what current live festivals take place. Also, I would like to research more on the musical career of Desi Arnaz. This article does a great job explaining social organization and it provides a great discography. Carlos Varela sounds like an interesting artist. I would certainly like to listen to the Afro Cuban All Stars album “A Toda Cuba le Gusta”.
I am surprised the author didn’t mention Desi Arnaz in the article. She also mentioned that during the prohibition era, Havana was an extremely “Popular” place for American tourists entertain themselves. The mafia also was centered there supposedly.
I would just like to investigate more on artists like Desi Arnaz and Xavier Jugat. I don’t really know that much about Ry Cooder so I might report on him as well!
Hasta la vista!

Add a comment November 16, 2009

Cuban Music ” Babaluaye”

Good Morning everyone!!

First of all, I would like to applaud Mr. Francois Zayas on his fascinating presentation on Cuban music. Thank You! I am really interested in Timba music!! I would love to listen to that genre of Cuban music!

During the presentation, I could not help but be reminded of the Cuban musician Desi Arnaz. I am a huge “I Love Lucy” fan and am a huge fan of Desi Arnaz’s music!!!

I really like to share some of Desi Arnaz’s songs on today’s posting!
Enjoy!

One day, I hope to visit the Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz museum in Jamestown, New York. Desi was born in Santiago de Cuba in 1917. His father was also the Mayor of Santiago de Cuba! Right now, I am reading Desi Arnaz’s autobiography called “A Book”.

Official description:
This song is so amazing. It features shakers, bells and congos. During one part early in the song, I hear a person talking. It sounds very tribal and the tempo stays consistent. In the middle of the song, the beat seems to move a bit faster. It has a very relaxing sound! It is so simple yet fascinating!

Desi Arnaz

The musical phrases seem consonant and they seem pretty repetitive. The clave instrument is from Cuba. This song has a “mystical” feel to it. It is very relaxing. It’s totally instrumental. Also, it seems to me like there is some sort of Arabic influence in the percussion. Each instrument has a specific role in the creation of the song. This is extremely percussive…..the shakers are maintaining a steady beat. Afro-Cuban music is so neat and I really enjoy listening to it!! I can’t wait for tonight’s concert!!!!!

The African traits are very apparent. It’s very participatory and the sense of community in this song. It seems to be very cyclical. There is something about the percussion that makes it sound tribal. It’s very mystifying. Yes…this song does have an Arabic feel…..especially in the drumbeats!

Rock on!!

Add a comment November 13, 2009

Listening description of Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song”

Good evening everyone!!

On a side note, I would like to share one of my favorite songs by the Police. Another one of my favorites is called “King of Pain”. It is heavily influenced by reggae. The guitar riffs are reggae based. Enjoy!

For this blog post, I will be speaking about Bob Marley’s classic “Redemption Song”. This version is entirely acoustic! It’s just the Bob singing by himself playing the acoustic six string guitar. “Redemption Song” is an extremely powerful song. It is a social and political advocacy song. For example, he sings:
“Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery;
None but ourselves can free our mind.
Wo! Have no fear for atomic energy,
‘Cause none of them-a can-a stop-a the time.
How long shall they kill our prophets,
While we stand aside and look?
Yes, some say it’s just a part of it:
We’ve got to fulfil de book.
Won’t you help to sing
Dese songs of freedom? -
‘Cause all I ever had:
Redemption songs -
All I ever had:
Redemption songs:
These songs of freedom,
Songs of freedom”

Wow!
This song reminds me of the power of John Lennon’s “Imagine”.

Bob Marley is speaking to his listeners! He is asking them to be a part of his songs of freedom. He wanted to engage people.
He talks a man about being taken away and put in slave trade.
“Old Pirates oh yes, the rob I
Sold I to the merchant ships”
the words are so powerful…the social commentary is present in the lyrics!

Bob Marley was a master poet along with John Lennon.
The song starts off with a slow and consistent melody. Then the guitar riffs start with Bob’s vocal. This song is in verse chorus form. His voice is so clear and he holds the notes so masterfully!

Then around 1.30 there is a short guitar solo. It’s amazing! I noticed that he does not use a pick on the acoustic guitar. The acoustic guitar goes together well with his vocals. After the guitar solo in the middle, he sings the last verse and then repeats “Redemption Song” phrase a few times. The song ends with another short acoustic solo. I noticed that he jives and grooves with the music as he plays the guitar. The song is consonant. This song is will always represent Bob Marley’s legendary career.

The sounds of the acoustic guitar relate to the power of the song. It’s so magical…just Bob sitting there in the studio with the Wailers…strumming on his acoustic. It relates to the storytelling of the song. The music is so powerful yet soft…letting the lyrics carry the song. The performance is astounding!
Rock on Bob!

Add a comment November 11, 2009

Jamaican Music research

Good evening everyone!

While doing my research on Sting of the 1980′s rockgroup The Police, I found that their 1983 album “Synchonocity” is very reggae influenced. Take a song like “Walking on the Moon” or “Every Breath You take”. It’s certainly influenced by the power of reggae. Sting certainly has a unique and recognizable voice! Along with Don Henley and Lindsey Buckingham, he is my favorite singer. He certainly has a “golden throat”! What I like about Sting most is the imagery he uses in his songs! Take a song like “Englishman in New York”. One of the lyrical phrases of the song is: “I don’t drink coffee, I drink tea my dear”. He is a master poet. Thinking back to that summer 2004 concert, I can still remember hearing the clarity of his vocals on that song. I can remember being at that concert as if it were yesterday! That warm summer night in Hershey, PA….hearing Sting singing his beautiful ballads. Hey, it’s not a bad way to spend a evening!
I am a huge fan of Sting’s work both with the Police and solo!

Bob Marley and the Wailers popularized Reggae for an international audience.

There are countless Jamaican music festivals.

For example, I found one that is in south Florida called Jamaica Independence indoor jamboree. It features artists such as Gregory Issacs and John Holt. It is a annual event and recently it took place on August 1st 2009. Wow! That sounds interesting!!

It’s wonderful when you can get to enjoy live music! There’s a special interaction-a connection-between the musician and the audience.
Aloha!
Sources:http://jamaicavintagemusicfestival.com/mainpage.html
www.thepolice.com

Add a comment November 10, 2009

Components of Musical Culture~Jamaican Music

Good Afternoon everyone!!!

This article on the magic of Jamaican music has a lot of information relating to some components of musical culture.

From a spiritual aspect, the author talks about Hindu population in Jamaica. What I thought was so interesting was that Hindu music is called “coolie music”. Also, Rastafarians make up only 13 percent of the island’s population!!!
The article surveys different musical genres such as ska, mento, rocksteady, dancehall and ragga.

It offers specific highlights of each genre. In my opinion, the most interesting part was about Bob Marley and the Wailers. Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh. I thought it was really neat that the article said that their producer was the “Phil Spector of the Caribbean”! (Pg. 439, Jamaica).
Sadly, Bob Marley passed away in 1981 as a result of cancer.

Different artists in some genres include:
Dancehall (Disc Jockey influenced music): Barrington Levy, General Echo, Charlie Chaplin
King Stitt was the first DJ to have success with recording. According to the article, he worked mainly with “Clancy Eccles on hits like “Fire Corner” and “Vigerton 2″. Yet these were still primarily instrumentals, featuring Eccles’ session band, the Dynamites, with occasional (but very effective) interjections from Stitt” (Pg 441, Jamaica article).
Reggae/ Rocksteady: Bob Marley and the Wailers, Desmond Dekker, ( he had a hit with “007″), The Paragons and many more.

I think it is interesting to reflect on what Chris Blackwell, the founder of Island Records says:
“There is a greater output of recorded music in Jamaica than in any other country in the world. This is because right from the beginning the different manufacturing and distribution companies in Jamaica opened their facilities for individual producers. So anybody who has enough money to make a record and then go to a pressing plant and order five hundred records to be pressed can start a label. So a lot of people have tried their luck” (Pg. 437, Chris Blackwell, Jamaica article).

From a personal perspective, I think it is so neat that Sting and the Police (one of my favorite groups of all time) have incorporated the influence of reggae music in their music. Take a song like “Roxanne”, “Can’t Stand Losin’ You” or “Invisible Sun” and you can instantly recognize the influence of reggae in their music. Is anyone out there a fan of Sting or The Police? I really like his music. About 5 years ago, I saw him live with Annie Lennox at Hershey Park Stadium. It was a really great concert even though my dad and I didn’t have the best seats!
Sting is an amazing artist! I really like his song ” Fields of Gold”. It’s a beautiful ballad.

In conclusion, I believe this article does a outstanding job covering the chronological history of Jamaican music. It offers a wealth of information from a spiritual and musical points of view. Although, I wish it would offer more information on social organization and Ideas. What are fans of Jamaican music really like? How does the music affect them? This article also offers a great discography and they are organized under specific genres. For example, I would like to hear the reggae music of Dennis Brown who was “the Crown Prince of Reggae in the 1970′s” (Pg 451, Jamaica article). His music sounds interesting! How did Sting become involved with Reggae music?
Aloha!

Add a comment November 9, 2009

Bob Marley No Woman No Cry Listening Description African traits Bob Marley and the Wailers

Good Morning everyone!

On a side note, I would like to share a beautiful song called “That’s the Way God Planned it” by Billy Preston. He performed this song during George Harrison’s historic 1971 “Concert for Bangladesh” performance in NYC. Other performers included Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Badfinger and Leon Russell.
Also, I am a huge Beatles fan and I found a reggae version of “Eleanor Rigby” (From their 1966 album Revolver). Apparently, someone put a new reggae twist on this Beatles classic. I think Beatles songs sound really great when musicians play them “Reggae” style!

I have always loved “No Woman No Cry” by Bob Marley. Words cannot express how magical and soothing this song is. It has it’s own special musical power. Especially with the vocals of Bob Marley! His vocals are so rich and he sings with amazing truth! Along with John Lennon…. Bob Marley was a musical legend. Wow! How I miss John Lennon! All of these musicians passed away too young! I often wonder what John Lennon would think about life today in the 21st century. He also wrote political peace songs such as “Imagine”, “Give Peace a Chance”, “Power to to the People” and “Watching the Wheels”.

The lyrics are so beautiful and they provide vivid imagery.
The lyrics are:
No woman, no cry

Said said
Said I remember when we used to sit
In the government yard in Trenchtown
Oba, ob-serving the hypocrites
As they would mingle with the good people we meet
Good friends we have had, oh good friends we’ve lost along the way
In this bright future you can’t forget your past
So dry your tears I say

No woman, no cry
No woman, no cry
Oh my Little sister, don’t she’d no tears
No woman, no cry

Said, said, said I remember when we used to sit
In the government yard in Trenchtown
And then Georgie would make the fire light
Log wood burnin’ through the night
Then we would cook corn meal porridge
Of which I’ll share with you

My feet is my only carriage
So I’ve got to push on through
But while I’m gone…

Everything’s gonna be alright
Ev’rything’s gonna be alright
Ev’rything’s gonna be alright
Ev’rything’s gonna be alright
Ev’rything’s gonna be alright
Ev’rything’s gonna be alright
Ev’rything’s gonna be alright
Ev’rything’s gonna be alright

No woman, no cry
No, no woman, no woman, no cry
Oh, little sister, don’t she’d no tears
No woman, no cry

No woman, no woman, no woman, no cry
No woman, no cry
Oh, my little darlyn no she’d no tears
No woman, no cry, yeah
any sister no she’d no tears, no women no cry

No woman no cry, no woman no cry
No woman no cry, no woman no cry

Say, say, said I remember when we used to sit
In a government yard in Trenchtown
Obba, obba, serving the hypocrites
As the would mingle with the good people we meet
Good friends we have, oh, good friends we’ve lost
Along the way
In this great future,
You can’t forget your past
So dry your tears, I say

No woman no cry, no woman no cry
Little darling, don’t she’d no tears, no woman no cry
Say, say, said I remember when we used to sit
In the government yard in Trenchtown
And then Georgie would make the fire light
As it was, love would burn on through the night
Then we would cook cornmeal porridge
Of which I’ll share with you
My fear is my only courage
So I’ve got to push on thru
Oh, while I’m gone

Everything ‘s gonna be alright, everything ‘s gonna be alright
Everything ‘s gonna be alright, everything ‘s gonna be alright
Everything ‘s gonna be alright, everything ‘s gonna be alright
Everything ‘s gonna be alright, everything ‘s gonna be alright
So woman no cry, no, no woman no cry
Oh, my little sister
Don’t she’d no tears
No woman no cry
I remember when we use to sit
In the government yard in Trenchtown
And then Georgie would make the fire lights
As it was, log would burnin’ through the nights
Then we would cook cornmeal porridge
Of which I’ll share with you
My fear is my only courage
So I’ve got to push on thru
Oh, while I’m gone
No woman no cry, no, no woman no cry
Oh, my little darlin’
Don’t she’d no tears
No woman no cry, No woman no cry

Oh my Little darlin’, don’t she’d no tears
No woman no cry
Little sister, don’t she’d no tears
No woman no cry
Don’t cry women

Official description:
This entire song is 5:56 minutes long! As I am listening to this song, I am astounded at the masterful talent of these musicians. As a listener, you have to relax and feel the power of the rhythm. Set the magic of the music free and you got to feel the music.
In the beginning, there are soulful organs, electric guitars “playing Eric Clapton style”, percussive “distinctive Jamaican” rhythm and beat. I would say that “No Woman No Cry” is consonant. It is played in a slow tempo. The organ sounds so soulful and graceful. I think it is performed in a triple meter. The beat drives the song and the rhythm is so strong. The lyrics comment on everyday living…it is slightly political. He is commenting on political confinement. Even in the face of oppression, everything will be alright.He says “I remember when we used to sit in the government yard in Trenchtown Oba, ob-serving the hypocrites as they would mingle with the good people we meetgood friends we have had, oh good friends we’ve lost along the way in this bright future you can’t forget your past”.

There is all kinds of call and response vocals throughout the song. The women in the chorus are slowly grooving to the song. They are also dressed in African inspired clothing. For example, they have headscarves on that are Jamaican inspired. At the very end of the song they sing their own ending by saying “little sistah….no woman no cry”. Their vocals sound so beautiful with the guitar ending solo. Bob Marley is grooving with the rhythm as he sings. The women chorus singers are dancing as they say “everything’s goin’ to be allright”. ” Little Darlin’ don’t shed no tears”. It is very powerful and extremely emotional. The sounds are so soulful and real. It’s beautiful. Group unity is beautiful! The lyrics go well together with the flow of the music. This song is a classic and it always will be! John Lennon was inspired by the sounds of reggae! He wrote the beautiful song “Borrowed Time”.
African Traits: Call and Response, communal gathering, transformation (cultural practices), the idea of faceting which is the process of taking individual pieces and transforming them into something whole, using found instruments (in this case, electric guitars, organs, snare band drumset). Bob Marley is commenting on Jamaican cultural identity. He is uniting the people. “One Love” is another example of community gathering.

I treasure music legends like George Harrison, Bob Marley, John Lennon. Their music is always waiting to be heard. Their messages are waiting to be heard. All we have to do is press play and let the music roll!

Add a comment November 6, 2009