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Cuba Libre - Zucchero Sugar Fornaciari
2009-03-11 17:48:00 Cuba Libre Zucchero Sugar Fornaciari Eri la mia vita La mia religione sempre Eri un sole Che mi stava in fronte Eri il ritmo delle mie notti Hasta l’hasta siempre Domani vado via Da San Francisco night A San Francisco night Io non ci torno piu’ Che mi dispiace lo sai Ma non ci credo piu’ I nostri sogni nel vento Non li ricordo piu’ Ho desideri Molto piu’ seri Di quelli che sai tu Mi piace la lasagna E poi mi piaci tu Un po’ di marijuana Sotto il cielo blu A San Francisco night Ho visto il diavolo Perche’ d’amore ti vesti Che amore non c’e’ piu’ Se siamo fatti di stelle E’ meglio un cielo blu Ho desideri Cieli al gin tonic Di quelli che vuoi tu Mi piace la lasagna E poi mi piaci tu Un po’ di marijuana Sotto il cielo blu Mi piace la notte all’Havana E poi mi piaci tu Ma sogno un cuba libre mio amor Sotto il cielo blu... Il cielo blu Ahy que bailar la salsa Ti cura il dolor Vai che la salsa Ti...
Cuba Libre Wood Coffee Table
2008-05-14 16:47:00 Most coffee tables are predictable and prosaic. However the Cuba Libre Wood Coffee Table doesn?t suffer from the same fate and I love its innovative design. The Coffee table is fitted to arrange your choice of laying top and top be lacquered in black and white scratchproof paint. Legs in matte chrome. BED Furniture, chrome, coffee ...
Un Cuba Libre, por favor?
2008-02-21 00:00:00 uno, dos, tres,... venezuela - opinión venezuela - opinión venezuela - opinión
By: unocontodo
Cuba Libre? Not Yet, But Getting Closer
2008-02-19 21:49:00 Hurrah! Fidel is stepping down. Bloody big of him, since he has been mostly out of the picture for nearly two years. But before we break out the party hats, his ‘little’ brother, septuagenarian Raul, is no Thomas Jefferson. It’s still all in the family where Cuban dictators are concerned. I’m ...
By: Sharp Iron
Bush to Cubans: Viva Cuba libre!
2007-10-25 16:55:00 Bush did a good thing yesterday talking about the future of Cuba. No matter how much Cuban Communists control the media (see sitemeter below for the number of Cubans who visit Asymmetric), the message will get out to Cubans that help from los Yanquis will be forthcoming if, after thier fifty-year stagnation, oppression, and idiocy nightmare inflicted upon them by power-monger Fidel Castro, they choose to join the free world. This should encourage the truly brave Cuban souls who, under threat of imprisonment, are battling Fidel as you're reading this to continue resisting a continuation of totalitarian dictatorship under Raul Castro and the Cuban heels who support him. Such a promise may tip the more timid (or practical, if they think an American-backed government may win) towards fighting for a free future as well. The speech is very good. I love the repetition of the line, "Cuban rulers promised..." It's parallel structure and logical argument make it worth reading. => Read m...
By: Asymmetric
Trio la Rosa Amor en Guagua (autobus for non-Cubans)
2007-08-02 22:12:00 Just like the English call car hoods, "bonnets" and subways, "tubes," and people in Minnesota call soda, hilariously, "pop;" distinct countries and regions in Latin America have different names for the same thing. The one that causes the most chuckles amongst non-Cuban Latins is the the word "guagua," which Cubans use for "bus" (most Latins call a bus, "autobus"), so much so that I stopped using it in conversations with my Mexican friends just to avoid the inevitable distraction. One song that mentions guaguas is from my new favorite old group, Trio la Rosa. It's an exceptionally charming song, recounting the role the bus plays in one man's romantic history. IN Amor en Guagua, a man meets his wife and falls in love with her on the bus. The bus then takes them to their wedding and subsequent honeymoon. Nine months later, the bus brings his son back dressed as a bus driver. The song isn't clear if the birth took place on the bus or in a nearby hospital. Listen to Amor en Guagua...
By: Asymmetric
Perez Prado Mambo number 5
2007-07-30 19:17:00 My father recalls listening to Mambo no. 5 on a car radio in Cuba in the early fifties. Although I suspect the radio didn't have Alpine quality, he must have liked it a lot for him to remember it all of these years. Perez Prado may not have been the exact first to develop what's called the Mambo, the perky, brassy derivative of about four other types of Cuban music, most notably the danzon; but he certainly was the most popular. Perez Prado appeared in many Mexican movies and even had number one hits here in the United States. Some critics have claimed that his band was sloppy at times and that his songs too similar to each other. I'm not qualified to judge the first and I kind of understand the second; I still like Prado's music, however-especially the most popular ones. Mambo #5 is his most famous composition, having been popular again in the 90s when it was redone by Lou Bega; it's also appeared in many films and in television shows like The Office. Listen to Mambo #5 ...
By: Asymmetric
The first Cuban song? La Bayamesa- Esther Borja
2007-07-25 12:52:00 La Bayamesa is the national anthem of Cuba. Like many national anthems, its subject is war (it's interesting how many national anthems have to do with war or qualities valuable in war like bravery). Anyways, this is another Bayamesa- one that's about a much more agreeable subject, love. Wikipedia says it's the first Cuban song. It's sung here by Esther Borja in a decidedly non-Afro-Cuban style. It may not be what you're used to from Cuban music, but it's still part of the Cuban aural tapestry. I think it's beautiful. The album is the most odd collection of Cuban music I've encountered. Very interesting. Listen to Bayamesa 100 Canciones Cubanas Del Milenio
By: Asymmetric
Xiomara Alfaro-Best Cuban female voice
2007-07-17 23:45:00 In many ways, Xiomara Alfaro is the Cuban female singer with the best voice. Certainly, she has a fantastic range and a crystal-clear tone. But, wielding such a big voice in popular music can lead to a level of clumsiness that doesn't quite match the genre. Celia Cruz seems much more at ease with this type of music, for example. Regardless, Alfaro's operatic style is definitely unique in Cuban music and very much worth a listen. The first song is an upbeat number called Ochun. It's a black Cuban maiden asking Ochun, the Cuban voodoo god of love, for a "negrito lindo que quiere mucho a su mama y que tiene libertad." In other words "a cute black man who loves his mother and has his freedom." I entered those search terms in Google and came up with (after taking out those unsuitable for Asymmetric): Listen to Ochun: The second song is called Luna Rosa and is your average Cuban bolero or "ballad." Listen to Luna Rosa. Lo Mejor de Xiomara Alfaro, Vol. 1 Bonus video:
By: Asymmetric
Trio la Rosa- Por una Sonrisa
2007-07-17 14:37:00 It's sometimes depressing to prefer music styles that have come and, if not completely gone, linger around the exit. It has something to do with the feeling that everything you'll be listening to has already been made. So, instead of discovering the latest thing, I discover some old thing I haven't heard before. Bored during my Missouri exile, I hop onto Amazon, search "Tumbao Cuban Classics" and take a chance on this group I've never heard called, Trio la Rosa. What a find! Trio la Rosa is a group that performed primarily in Cuba, Venezuela, and Mexico. You can hear references to those locales in their music and more than a tinge of Mexican traditional mariachi singing in some of their songs. If you have any fondness for guitar-driven Cuban trio/guajira music, you must own this album. It's choc full of Cuban musical goodness. In fact, I haven't posted on this group earlier because I had trouble picking a song to present here. I decided on Por una Sonrisa or "because of a sm...
By: Asymmetric
Anselmo Sacasas Mi Vacilon
2007-07-16 08:50:00 To vacilar means to vacillate. No, not like Mitt Romney or Hillary Clinton; I mean to move from one side to another. And, I dare you to listen to Mi Vacilon from Sacasas and stay in the same place. What a joyful noise! What a relaxed voice! And the piano is essential Cuban music. Listen to vacilon Sol Tropical 1945-1949 Sol Tropical
By: Asymmetric
Ay! Cosita Linda-Carlos Argentino
2007-07-14 11:23:00 This song is universally loved for its super-catchy stop-hook and light romanticism. I've heard it on Mexican movies and I place it on every Cuban cd I make for people. Carlos Argentino was one of that great collection of Cuban singers who worked with the Sonora Matancera. Not top tier, mind you, but unlikely to be forgotten. Listen to Ay! Cosita Linda. SINGS And, you get a bonus video.
By: Asymmetric
Jorge Chavez living the American Dream in St. Roberts Missouri
2007-07-13 02:15:00 During my stay at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo, I often visited Latin Touch Cafe for some of the best Cuban sandwiches in St. Roberts (pop. 2500 [OK, maybe the best in a 200 mile radius]) and to visit with my good friend Jorge Chavez. I thought his story would be interesting to some of my readers, so I asked him if he wouldn't mind me posting a little something about him and he assented to my request. Jorge arrived in our nation five years ago on a raft, not concerned, apparently, with perpetuating that particular Cuban stereotype. After arriving in the United States, some soldiers took care of him which shocked him as Castro had told him that the American soldier was cruel. He stayed in Miami for a while, but, the Cuban Sandwich market being a little saturated in South Florida, followed the advice of a friend and moved to Missouri, where his little sandwich shop, a mere mile from the post, is a favorite lunch stop for the soldiers. Jorge and I discuss the issues of the day. Notice the...
By: Asymmetric
The Police in Cuban Music
2007-07-10 07:28:00 OK, I was thinking about this whole Police-BUCL thing and I thought I'd dig around for a few minutes and find some Cuban songs that mention law enforcement. Here's what I came up with (mind you this is short notice): Orquesta Aragon offers us this one called Senor Juez. I shouldn't have to tell you this by now, but it's a Cha Cha Cha. Apparently, during the height of the great Cha Cha Cha persecution of the fifties, people would just get pulled off the street and into the station for dancing. Enlightened judges, however, like the one in the song, often let first-time offenders go free. Luckily for the offender, mandatory sentencing laws weren't in effect, although they did have a three-strikes law, which is why people limited their dancing to a modified step called the Cha Cha. Listen to Senor Juez More Aragon That Cuban Cha-Cha-Cha I love Rita Montaner, but I realize she's an acquired taste, kind of like the Cuban drink Malta that seems to gross out everybody not raised...
By: Asymmetric
What Cubans Think of Americans- Musical Evidence
2007-07-06 06:16:00 One can use a nation's artistic output to analyze its prevailing attitudes towards certain issues. An analysis of rap music, for example, may lead one to conclude that "urban youths" find: money and material possessions, whether gained through hard work or other means, to be of paramount importance; feminine modesty or restraint useless; relationships between men and women contentious; and the civil authorities a group to be resisted, mocked, or, at least distrusted. Country music, on the other hand, evokes patriotism, family, and an appreciation for those with a high degree of sun exposure, especially directly below their chin. So, I looked through my record collection to see what Cubans, from the pre-revolutionary era to its contemporary situation, thought or think about Americans. After all, Cuba, as one might expect from a small nation 90 miles away from the most powerful nation on Earth, has had its fortunes intertwined with the United States or its colonial forerunner for...
By: Asymmetric
Two Musical Opinions of Fidel Castro-Chepin and Tricoche
2007-06-28 06:10:00 In keeping with the apolitical nature of this section of Asymmetric, I won't comment upon these songs too much except to explain that the first song Canto al Patriota by Orquesta Chepin, who once featured Ibrahim Ferrer of Buena Vista Social Club fame, calls Castro an Aurora, meaning that they consider him a gift from above, like a star. It was written during the early days of the revolution and demonstrates the hope that many Cubans felt during those heady days. Later songs praise Castro, but I can only count these early ones as having an independent opinion. For more early Ibrahim Ferrer, click here. The next song, En cuba no Falta Nada, calls him a maricon. Mariquita means feminine. Since my readers are uniformly intelligent, I don't feel the need to describe further. It's by Hector Tricoche and is in the post-revolutionary Salsa style. the lyrics are below thanks to Babalu blog. Listen to En Cuban no Falta Nada Listen to Canto al Patriota Mi Oriente Oro Salsero/20 Exit...
By: Asymmetric
Rolando Laserie: Dejame en Paz
2007-06-25 01:17:00 Combining my two favorite things, Cuban music and fine dining, I found this youtube video of particular interest. Rolando Laserie played bongos in Beny More's bad before going solo in the late fifties. He was a good singer and song stylist, but since all of his songs were remakes of either Argentinian tangos, Mexican songs, or those of his compatriots, I hesitate to seat him at the table of the Beny Mores or Arsenio Rodriguez.' I don't know if he originated the saying "de pelicula," (from the movies; as in, "That would only happen in the movies"), but he popularized it. My father used to use that phrase often. 15 Grandes Exitos de Rolando Laserie
By: Asymmetric
Buena Vista and Portabales- El Carretero
2007-06-22 06:44:00 The Buena Vista Social Club was a true phenomenon. It's sold a ton of recor...umm..sorry, cds, and introduced millions of people to Cuban music. Instead of snobbishly berating the public for coming to the party late or reminding you that I've known about it far longer (really only 10 years), I'll just say that the songs from the album are very good and some scenes in the movie were hilarious, especially the one where one of the guys looks upon the statue of liberty for the first time in forty years. Carretero is a great guajira. Guajira is like Cuban country music. Guitar driven and as Spanish as Afro, it will definitely surprise people who only know of the Salsa kind of Cuban. Like American country music, the lyrics speak of work and lost loves. A carretero is the guy who drove the cart of sugar cane to market. He worked hard, but could always look forward to his music at the end of his day. The Buena Vista version is by Eliades Ochoa. The older version is by Guillermo Porta...
By: Asymmetric
No Me Llores Mas: Arsenio Rodriguez and Conjunto Rumbavana
2007-06-20 03:07:00 Continuing our head to head song duel, I present today, "No Me Llores Mas" written by Arsenio Rodriguez, one of the greatest Cuban songwriters in its history. The blind Arsenio wrote tons of genre defining music, though many, like "Bruca Manigua" enjoyed greater success after other artists chose to record them. And, I can understand. Arsenio certainly played a mean "tres" guitar, but his productions and especially his choice of singers tended to sound darker than many of his contemporaries. Conjunto Rumbavana is the opposite. They are to Cuban Music what Janis Joplin, George Thouroughgood, and the Black Crowes are to blues and Soul, talented and enthusiastic interpreters of classic songs in a particular genre with the occasional original. I'm attracted to the No Me Llores Mas below for its unusual and thrilling tempo. Neither a bolero nor a quicker son, the song burns slowly, eventually searing itself into your subconscious so that the next day you can't help but accompany a p...
By: Asymmetric
Runidera by Orquesta Reve and Anselmo Sacasas
2007-06-19 04:51:00 OK. Let's have some fun. In a previous post, I held that one way to objectively rate the quality of music was to measure its impact outside of its immediate audience base. One can debate the previous premise, but who can doubt that the sure-fire way to measure the worth of a particular tune is to see how many times it's been remade? With that in mind, the next few posts will feature at least two versions of the same song. Today, we'll start with La Runidera (what's the symbol for the squigly "n?"). I have two performances. The first is by Anselmo Sacasas from the eventful year, 1943. The other version is Orquesta Reve from the eighties, although I can't find the exact year at this time. I've noticed that the old Cuban standards continue to be made over and over by modern Cuban bands. It could be hero-worship, nostalgia, or, perhaps, creative exhaustion, but that's a question for later. Both albums are great, though the Reve gets a little repetitive. Either way, enjoy: ...
By: Asymmetric
Cuban Music trubute to Fathers (Papis)
2007-06-17 23:53:00 Happy Father's Day I thought I'd pay a Cuban music tribute to fathers. Not as numerous as tributes to mothers (such is a father's lot in life), Cuban songs dedicated to fathers exist. This first one is only one that can be considered a proper tribute to fatherhood. It's Beny More singing to his father. Beny's father deserves some kind of recognition for fathering Beny and Beny's 17 siblings. You have to buy the Beny box if you want to own it. Grabaciones Completas 1953-1960 Listen The next two songs have "papa" in them, but they don't refer to any Earthly father, but a "Papa Boco" some kind of Santeria god that I couldn't find reference to at the time of writing. One is by some guy I don't know, but is on the same album as Celia Cruz. The other is by the great guajiro duo Celina y Reutilio. You must own both albums. Listen to Celina Listen to "Celia" Cantos de Cuba La Irresistible: 15 Top Hits 1946-1950 Introducing, for the first time of Cubanocast, El Gran Comb...
By: Asymmetric
Ernesto Lecuona-Esther Borja-Bola de Nieve 1938
2007-06-10 18:15:00 Another Ernesto Lecuona. Here he plays the fantastic Malaguena. More Spanish than Afro and more formal than popular, Malaguena is the best of Cuban light classical. My father told me two things about Ernesto Lecuona. First, that he was ambidextrous and second, that he was ambis... well let's just say that Esther Borja felt no need to lock her dressing room door when Ernesto was around (not that there's anything wrong with that). The director of this video went on to become the greatest ever voice-dub artist for Kung-Fu films.
By: Asymmetric
Barbarito Diez La Mora Danzones from a decent era.
2007-06-09 06:43:00 My first permanent teaching job was at Gompers Middle School in Los Angeles on Imperial and Main. It was a tough school and although I can?t say I loved teaching there, I look back on my experience with some fondness. One of those positive memories includes my befriending of a Cuban guidance counselor whom I eventually came to consider a mentor of sorts. He was a nice man and I remember that he had a peaceful attitude towards life and even towards Cuban politics which made him a rare Cuban indeed. When I offered to make him a Cuban music cassette (this was 1994 and cd-burners must have cost thousands of dollars if they were available at all), he asked me if I had any Barbarito Diez. I don?t remember whether I had it at the time or if I had to acquire it, but he eventually ended up with a Diez tape and I fell in love with Barbarito?s music. El Señor Del Danzón Barbarito combined the delicate, upper-crust rhythm of the socially acceptable Danzon, lyrics that truly merited being c...
By: Asymmetric
Que Bueno Baila Ud. Beny More
2007-05-29 14:55:00 I started a forum on Cuban and Caribbean music that one day may be popular. One of the members expressed admiration for the song Que Bueno Baila Ud. which was apparently covered by Oscar D'Leon. It happens to be one of my favorite Beny More songs and I thought it would be a good one to showcase today. Beny's in great voice here, really exploring the limits of his range. What makes the song one of his best, however, is that his band stretches out as well. The song has a jam session/descarga feel, as each instrument can easily be differentiated from the others. The piano comes first with followed by a wonderful, low saxophone, and then the trumpet has an extended solo. All the while, the band swings from wall to wall. The trumpet solo by Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros who opens the not-great movie "Lost City" is a thing of beauty and probably the best example of Jazz soloing in a non-instrumental Cuban song. Think of "Que Bueno Baila Ud." as a gateway drug to Cuban music for peopl...
By: Asymmetric
Caribbean songs for Memorial Day- Beny More and Daniel Santos
2007-05-28 12:24:00 Throughout our history, Hipanics have participated in America's wars, fighting and dying alongside their fellow Americans, performing, as a group, excellently, and earning more than their fair share of decorations. I've had the pleasure to work with many Puerto Rican soldiers during my time in the Army. I was able to find a couple of songs that serve as a musical testament to their sacrifice. Daniel Santos was the most popular Puerto Rican performer of his time. He had a wonderful baritone that would effortlessly slide into and out of phrases in a uniquely languid slur. He himself did not serve, but he captured the relationship many soldiers have with the bugle in "El Corneta," or the Bugle. Those who have served understand the feeling of being roused out of sleep by that infernal instrument. Listen I've used the next song "Despedida" to good effect both to elicit tears from my mother and...umm...a different reaction from my wife. It's about a soldier getting ready to dep...
By: Asymmetric
Objective music quality assessment applied to Cuban Music of the pre-revolu
2007-05-27 09:02:00 What follows is my roundabout way to back up the claim I?ve made before that Cuban music of the pre-revolutionary period is qualitatively comparable to the best non-Cuban music from the same era (post-revolutionary Cuban music is good too, but I'd have to advance a different argument). In order to back up such a claim, I'd have to use more than my opinion. I would first need to establish an objective criteria and then show that Cuban music would rate as high according to that criteria as music contemporary to it. One possible way to rate music is through units sold. I think this is generally reliable, as many of the best artists also happened to be very popular. I'm thinking of the Beatles, Elvis, Prince, among many chart toppers. Of course, the issue with the units sold criteria is that the music expert gets as many votes as the 13 year old girl with a crush on Leif Garrett*(do girls still like him? My sister did). And, this method would rate Brittney Spears over just about an...
By: Asymmetric
Pre-Revolutionary economic reporting from Cuba Arsenio Rodriguez-Pobre mi C
2007-05-25 22:00:00 The "socially conscious" Pobre mi Cuba which basically laments the state of Cuba in its pre-revolutionary days. To alert the listener to Cuba's then-current state of affairs, it offers a laundry list of Cuban problems mostly centering on the price of various crops. I don't intend to be political on this blog, but one simply can't hear criticisms of the government in contemporary Cuban music. Anyways, Pobre's languid, start-stop beat is interesting and features a good horn as well as the "tres," a guitar with three sets of two strings (6 total). The blind Arsenio was one of the cornerstones of Cuban son. His music was deeper than the normal happy-dance-romantic music of his contemporaries. In this way, Arsenio's music resembled the reflective themes of guajiro music. Chano Pozo, the conga player recommended to Dizzie Gillespie, also played with Arsenio. Listen Dundunbanza 1946-1951
By: Asymmetric
Alberto Socarras Y Su Orquesta Cubanacan Pacto Con El Diablo
2007-05-24 07:24:00 Not much to say today. I'm working on something longer for tomorrow. Anyways, here's a great instrumental. This album is incredible. Listen Music of Cuba: 1909-1951
By: Asymmetric
Antonio Machin- Genius
2007-05-17 14:29:00 Antonio Machin was one of the most consistently brilliant Cuban artists. At turns funny and profound, Machin's music never fails to amaze. I have over one hundred of his songs and even as plumb the depths of his catalog, he's never disappointed me. I'd categorize a third of his songs as being indispensable to the Cuban music fan. Here's one from my latest acquisition. The rest of the songs are at least as good. This one's called "El Rio Cuyaguateje O Entrada Por la Estrechura." This is a profound one. Listen 1935 Cuarteto & Septeto
By: Asymmetric
Rita Montaner La Chismosa
2007-05-15 10:54:00 This is the biggest gamble with Asymmetric since I predicted Sanjaya would win American Idol, for by featuring this song by Rita Montaner, I risk losing my entire blog audience. Anthropologists and Latin-American studies majors may find this song an interesting cultural artifact. Some may actually agree with me and think it's a good song. Most, however, will probably find La Chismosa annoying. I especially fear the reaction from my Cuban and Cuban-American brothers, as it may disinter some unpleasant memories. Or, perhaps, if they listen at work, they may feel they've gone home a couple of hours early. Those of you who don't speak Spanish, good! A chismosa is a gossip. Here she protests being labeled a gossip while, at the same time, of course, demonstrating her adeptness at the accused offense. I love Rita's chirpiness. Her high soprano breaks constantly and offers an odd tone, but it's still strong and contains a thrilling, effortless vibrato. She represents a more mainst...
By: Asymmetric
Rita Montaner
2007-05-13 07:49:00 The quickest way to make my wife leave (if I ever wanted to do such a thing) would be to play a Rita Montaner song. Annoying, chirpy, unique, wonderful; what can I say? I love it! I'll put on some more Rita later this week.
By: Asymmetric
Beny More Ya Son las Doce
2007-05-13 07:46:00 I wonder where I can get one of those suits?
By: Asymmetric
Joseito Fernandez Guantanamera
2007-05-13 07:36:00 The original is here Here's a great but short video of him singing. Man! He must have sung that a million times. Only Glenn Campbell has sung the same song more times. Complete lyrics below from some place that calls it a "song of peace." I guess. ... Read more!
By: Asymmetric
Anselmo Sacasas Acabaste
2007-05-07 05:35:00 It's 1943 and war rages across three continents. Millions of soldiers lay lifeless across battlefields. Many millions more civilians suffer, for in this war, more than any preceding it, soldiers share its horrors with civilians; with unprecedented efficiency and without moral restraints of any kind, nations purposely attempt to slaughter whole populations-in many cases their own. In Cuba, however, Anselmo Sacasas sits down at his piano and writes the happiest song he can compose. Perhaps the relative calm in Cuba at this time combined with Cuba's mostly spectatorial role in World War II eases Sacasas' mind. Whatever the reason, enjoy. The album is good too. Listen 1942-1944
By: Asymmetric
Great Roberto Faz video
2007-05-03 06:38:00 Wow! I love this. A guaracha is a type of Cuban son. It's a little hard to define what makes a guaracha different from other types of son, but basically it's a little jauntier than the average son and usually contained funny or why lyrics. Roberto Faz specialized in this type of "fun" music. This video features a good example of guaracha. Faz was one of the best white soneros in Cuba.
By: Asymmetric
Tocando Madera Bienvenido Grande and the Sonora Matancera
2007-04-30 04:45:00 Notable for its stop-start rhythm and its wood knocking effect, "Tocando Madera" is one of the better Sonora Matancera songs from the prolific, but lesser known (compared to Celia Cruz), Bienvenido Granda. "Tocando" also deals with Cubans' superstitious nature in a humorous manner. "Tocando Madera" or knocking on wood, does mean the same in Cuban culture as it does to Americans. In the song, the man is frustrated because his wife is afraid of almost everybody they meet including the female witch doctor, "brujera" The album features many such songs from its less famous singers including Myrta Silva, the woman replaced by Celia Cruz, and a rare collaboration with Miguelito Valdez. Listen to song 50 Anos De La Sonora Matancera
By: Asymmetric
Anselmo Sacasas Llora
2007-04-26 05:05:00 The most consistently funny of Cuban performers, Anselmo Sacasas was leader of the great Casino de la Playa orquestra, one of the most popular pre-war bands in Cuba. He had a strong, raspy voice and, of course, his band played at the highest levels. What set him apart was his clowning humor. Here he complains to his wife that no matter what he buys her, she cries (lloras). The humor comes from the list of things he buys- from a pair glasses, shoes, and dresses to false teeth, and permanents- as well as his general attitude. Listen to Llora Memories of Cuba, 1937-1944
By: Asymmetric
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