Happy Father's Day!

Enjoy this special father's day episode featuring my father and grandfather's music.

Link to playlist on spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7ma35metGG5V1Z0vszhwf8?si=e83233a6a99843d6

"El canto tiene sentido cuando palpita en las venas de que morirá cantando las verdades verdaderas" (Song makes sense when it pumps through the veins of one who will die singing the truth) - Víctor Jara 'Manifesto' 1973

The November 3, 1970 victory of Salvador Allende as the first democratically elected socialist/Marxist president of Chile was a historic one. And one man in particular served as a voice and soundtrack of that time of hope, radical changes and later tragedy. His name was Víctor Jara. Víctor even wrote the anthem of Allende's campaign, "Venceremos", "We Shall Triumph" an ode to the power of the people and their will to defeat imperialism. Through his pen, voice and guitar, Víctor would sing of justice, the right to live in peace, the suffering of Chile's poor (something he personally experienced), call out government officials, or simply sing of his principles, ideals and how much he loved his family. Víctor Jara was courage, hope, love, justice, memory, truth, a voice to all those who have been abused and exploited by empire, not just in Chile, but in the whole world. No matter where he went, Víctor seemed to have a light that drew people to him. Perhaps it was the radiant light he emanated that stirred up such hatred and rage in Pinochet's soldiers. Or was it the magnificent beauty, candor, sincerity and sentiment of his voice, that led them to take his life from him, so viciously. Some things are simply incomprehensible and unfathomable, the murder of Víctor Jara is one of them. However, in their quest to silence him and extinguish his light, they inadvertently created an immortal star who will shine on forever and whose voice will always be remembered and celebrated.

¡Que Viva y Venceremos, Víctor Jara!!!!

***TRIGGER WARNING*** For those who do not wish to hear the details of Víctor's death fast forward: 1:51:13 - 1:56:17

Songs:

Manifesto

Te Recuerdo Amanda

La Luna Siempre Era Muy Linda

La Beata

Paloma Quiero Contarte

Camilo Torres

A Luis Emilio Recabarren

Preguntas por Puerto Montt

A Desalambrar

Ni Chicha Ni Limoná

A La Molina No Voy Más

Vamos por Ancho Camino

A Cuba

El Alma Llena de Banderas

Plegaria a un Labrador (live)

Zamba del Che (live)

Preguntitas Sobre Dios (live)

El Arado

El Derecho de Vivir en Paz

The Nueva Trova movement began around 1967 a time of upheaval, reimagination and radical idealism in Cuban society. Its lyrics were specifically politically charged and socially conscious. One of the most significant and pivotal figures in that artistic movement is Silvio Rodriguez. Silvio seamlessly combines powerful political, and social statements with poetic lyricism and a ballad style. His songs provoke thought. Whether he sings of revolutionary heroes, condemns colonialism and exploitation or simply narrates human feelings and emotions without pretense, and with humiltiy, sincerity and believable emotion. So today, we will be exploring the extraordinary talent of Silvio Rodriguez.

Songs:

El Mayor

Canción del Elegido

Fusil contra Fusil

America, te hablo de Ernesto

Ojalá

Dias y Flores

Santiago de Chile

Playa Girón

Yo digo que las estrellas

En el claro de la luna

La fabula de los tres hermanos

Imagínate

La Maza

Canción Urgente Para Nicaragua

Unicornio

Causas y Azares

Oh Melancolia

El Necio

Pequena Serenata Diurna

El Necio (with Diakara)

Enjoy this mother's day special featuring my mother's favorite Boleros. You'll hear the unforgettable voice of Tito Rodriguez, the melodies of Los Panchos, Jimmy Sabater's velvet voice, the overlooked voice of Chivirico Davila and so much more!

Happy Mother's Day

from Voice of the Waterlily!

Songs:

Mi Boca Sin Tu Boca - Bobby Capo

Sabor A Mi - Jose Feliciano

Si Dios Me Quita La Vida - Javier Solis

Adoro - Felipe Pirela

Contigo Aprendi - Los Panchos

Fiebre de Ti - Beny More

Un Cigarillo, La Lluvia Y Tu - Tito Rodriguez

Ama - Ismael Rivera

This is Love - Joe Cuba, Jimmy Sabater

Cosas del Alma - Eddie Palmieri, Ismael Quintana

Que Mas Puedo Pedir - Chivirico

Encantado De La Vida - Celia Cruz, Cheo Feliciano

Otra Vez - Cheo feliciano

Mi Llanto Y La Lluvia - Santito Colon

Though he's rarely mentioned, Juan Morel Campos was one of the greatest composers in Puerto Rican history. Morel Campos is credited with writing over 350 Puerto Rican Danzas, he also played almost every brass instrument and founded the Ponce Municipal Band in 1883, (a band that still exists today). In his short but prolific career, Morel Campos left an unforgettable mark on Puerto Rican music.

Songs:

Felices Dias - Rafael Hernandez

Sin Ti Jamas - Rafael Hernandez

Conversación - Rafael Hernandez

Di que me amas - Rafael Hernandez

No me toques - Rafael Alers

Viva la Pepa - Rafael Alers

Laura y Georgina - Rafael Alers

La Rutina - Jesús María Sanromá

Acuérdate de mí - Jesús Maria Sanromá

Mi Perla - Rafael Hernandez

La Bella Margot - Rafael Hernandez

Maldito Amor - Rafael Hernández

La Generosa - Rafael Alers

El Torbellino - Rafael Alers

Perla de mi Patria - Rafael Alers

No me toques - Jesús María Sanromá

Idilio - Jesús María Sanromá

Mascaras Alegres - Rafael Hernandez

April 29th is Ray Barretto's birthday, so to celebrate him today we will be taking a closer look at his 1979 album Rican Struction. The album came after a difficult period in Barretto's artistic career and personal life. In 1972 Barretto released his first Latin Jazz album titled The Other Road, however it received very poor reception. The next year, 1973, 5 of the musicians from Barretto's band left to form Tipica 73 and two years later ray would suffer a terrible accident that left him unable to play for several years. In many ways Rican Struction was a comeback. The album had a strong percussive root while being experimental and very cutting edge. Barretto would record tunes such as 'Al Ver Sus Campos' in honor of don Pedro Albizu Campos, the classic bolero 'Piensa En Mi' and 'Adelante Siempre Voy' which signified Barretto's will to move forward in the face of adversity. Listen and learn about all this and more.

Album:

Rican Struction - Ray Barretto 1979

Whether it was salsa or boleros, his time with Joe Cuba, the Fania All Stars or his later collaborations, one thing that never changed was his sentimiento. And he wasn’t just a romantic bolerista, his skill at interpreting in soneo, as an improvising sonero was remarkable. No matter what he sang, he interpreted it with feeling and sincerity. Thank you for tuning in to the third and final part in a three part podcast series about Cheo Feliciano. 

Songs:

El Dia Que Me Quieras with Eddie Palmieri 1982

Bello Amanecer with Tito Rodriguez and La Rondalla Venezolana 1996

Mi Ultimo Fracaso with La Rondalla Venezolana 1984

Ausencia with La Rondalla Venezolana 1996

Controversia with Jimmy Sabater 1987

Por Nuestra Felicidad 1998

Coincidencia 1990

Una En Un Million 1990

Me Fascina Esa Mujer

Que Si Cantaban Bien 2000

Yo No Tengo Corazón Para Olvidarte 2002

Esa Es Tu Fortuna 2002

Hacerte Venir 1990

Whether it was salsa or boleros, his time with Joe Cuba, the Fania All Stars or his later collaborations, one thing that never changed was his sentimiento. And he wasn’t just a romantic bolerista, his skill at interpreting in soneo, as an improvising sonero was remarkable. No matter what he sang, he interpreted it with feeling and sincerity. Thank you for tuning in to the first part in a three part podcast series about Cheo Feliciano.

Whether it was salsa or boleros, his time with Joe Cuba, the Fania All Stars or his later collaborations, one thing that never changed was his sentimiento. And he wasn’t just a romantic bolerista, his skill at interpreting in soneo, as an improvising sonero was remarkable. No matter what he sang, he interpreted it with feeling and sincerity. Thank you for tuning in to the first part in a three part podcast series about Cheo Feliciano.

. Young Cheo did not dream of being a singer, his first dream was to play guitar, however the Escuela de Musica Juan Morel Campos, a free music school was underfunded and had only 2 guitars and 40 students. Feliciano, then chose trombone, however there was only 1 trombone and 40 students, leading him to study music for 2 years before Cheo and his family were forced to move to the US due to the increasingly difficult economic situation on the island. Now in New York, Cheo turned to percussion, playing whenever and wherever he could. Soon after he would meet Machito who introduced him to Tito Puente and Tito Rodriguez, the latter who would give him an opportunity to sing live in front of an audience at the Palladium ballroom. Soon after, Feliciano would be hired by Joe Cuba and sing with his sextet for 9 years. Sadly, Cheo struggled with addiction at this time.

Hear about all this and more In today's episode.

Songs:

A Las Seis

Yo Vine Pa Ver

Te Adoro

Macorina

Callejero

Lo Bueno Ya Viene

Mujer

Como Rien

Aunque Tu

Quieres Volver

Cachondea

Bailadores

Guaracha y Bembe

Ay, Milagro

Oriente

Quinto Sabroso

Busca lo Tuyo (with Eddie Palmieri)