Did you know that Pedro Ortiz Davila, better known a Davilita, sang the first version of Rafael Hernandez’s tear welling ode to Puerto Rico, Lamento Borincano? Or that Davilita was an ardent supporter of the Partido Nationalista Puerto Rico, and he sang and composed songs in support of the island’s independence movement? The prolific and beloved vocalist worked with the likes of Rafael Hernandez, Pedro Flores, Daniel Santos and Felipe ‘La Voz’ Rodriguez. Though his name is scarcely mentioned today, and his contributions are often overlooked, Davilita’s voice is one that should be upheld and his contributions to Puerto Rican music should be more throughly examined. So that is what we’re doing on today’s show, learning about the life, legacy and music of Pedro Ortiz Davila, better known as Davilita.

Yo También Soy Boricua 

Canta Pajarito

Ansias Locas 

A Mis Amigos 

Vamonos a Borinquen Bella 

Hidalguia Boricua 

Guajira Guantanamera

Idilio

Al Paso

Recuerdo a Morel Campos 

Ya Es Muy Tarde 

Llanto Amargo

Sueño de Libertad 

Many of us know his recognizable and sentimental voice from his work with Tito Puente. And his later collaborations with Bobby Valentin and the hits that came from it, such as ‘derroche de felicidad’ and ‘conversacion en Tiempo de bolero’ cemented his status as a legend. Max Salazar even termed him “one of Latin America’s most popular vocalists, at times considered number one”. He certainly made a deep mark on Latin Music and displayed an incredible versatility, showcasing his sensational voice. That’s right, I’m talking about none other than the one and only Vicentico Valdes.

La Gloria Eres Tu

Abaniquito

Dulce con Dulce 

Guaguanco en Tropicana 

Los Aretes de la Luna

Lo Añoro

Tus Ojos 

Como Arullo del Palma 

Ponte a la Moda

Derroche de felicidad 

Todo Eso y Mas 

Qué Sabes Tú 

Conversación en Tiempo de Bolero

Cuando Te Deje de Querer 

Cuando te fuiste de mi 

Yo También Canto a Borinquen

Me Faltabas Tú 

El Ultimo Café

As we celebrate the centennial of Tito Rodriguéz, today's show will explore and celebrate the early years of his work. Today we'll hear about an important, formative and often overlooked period of Rodriguez's incredible career. 

Welcome back to Voice of the Waterlily and thank you for joining me today, for my second ever New Years Special. This year's theme is "celebrating the generations" and I hope that I can present something for everyone; the music that our ancestors loved and the music we love. 

El Torbellino - Rafael Alers 

Mascaras Alegres - Rafael Hernandez 

Tristes Recuerdos - Rafael Hernandez

El Dia Que Me Quieras - Carlos Gardel

Errante y Bohemio - Arsenio Rodriguez 

Me Voy Contigo - Chappottín

Nague - Machito and his AfroCubans, Miguelito Valdés

Despedida - Daniel Santos, Pedro Flores 

Manzanillo - Benny Moré

La Cumbanchera de Belen - Celia Cruz, Sonora Matancera 

Borinquen - Cesar Concepcion, Joe Valle 

Lo Que Vale Una Boricua - Chuito el de Bayamon 

Karacatis Ki - Mon Rivera 

Soy Hijo de Siboney - Johnny Pacheco, Pete 'El Conde' Rodriguez  

Que Me Castigue Dios - Celeste Mendoza 

Mi Borinquen - Bobby Capó

Que Se Sepa - Roberto Roena 

Inolvidable - Tito Rodriguez 

Sorongo - Rafael Cortijo

Bembe Pata Pata - La Lupe 

O Mi Shango - Mongo Santamaria 

Pastime Paradise - Ray Barretto, Tito Puente, Charlie Palmieri

Ahora Si - Sonora Ponceña, Yolanda Rivera 

Agueybana Zemi - Jerry Gonzalez 

Lullaby of Birdland - Tito Puente 

Permiso que llego van van - Los Van Van 

El Belen - Grupo Afro Boricua

Mi Barrio - Andres Jimenez 'El Jibaro'

Everything is Everything - Eddie Palmieri 

Today's show celebrates the life and talent of Mexican singer Toña La Negra. Born Antonia del Carmen Peregrino Álvarez on November 2, 1912 in Veracruz, Mexico, Toña's career launched to new heights when she met Agustin Lara and made a hit of his composition 'Enamorada'. 

Learn about all this and more in today's episode. 

Songs: 

Ay Cariño

Tu Me Acostumbraste 

Que Sabes Tu 

Obsesion

Lamento Borincano 

Campanitas de Cristal

Deselvo de Amor 

Babalu

El Panquelero

Reina Africana 

Llanto de Luna 

Amor Perdido

Amor 

Noche de Ronda 

Escarcha 

Mujer 

Ausencia 

Y Sin Embargo Te Quiero

Rosa

Frankie Dante (September 15, 1946- March 1, 1993)...his voice recognizable and his voice distinct. But more than his innovative arrangements and unconventional compositions , Frankie recorded relevant and socially conscious music that drove audiences wild. Tunes like 'Paz' stood in open opposition to war while in other compositions such as 'Ciencia Politica' decried the false promises and inaction of politicians. Unfortunately, record companies did not take kindly to these politically charged lyrics. Perhaps this is the biggest reason why we don't hear his name even mentioned in discussions of Salsa. Today, we'll be illuminating the life and work of this little recognized but phenomenal talented artist. 

Paz 

El Jibaro

Pa' Guaynabo

Atajala Se Acabo La Guerra 

La Cuna del Son

Los Rumberos 

El Quinto de Beethoven 

Me Quieren Crucificar 

Ciencia Politica 

Presidente Dante 

In today's show we will be taking a closer look at the legendary feud between Tito Puente and Tito Rodriguez. The Two Tito's engaged in a heated rivalry from Mambo's heyday in the 1950's until Rodriguez's untimely death in 1973. The battle raged on as rumors circulated, however José Curbelo's fateful creation of his booking agency, Alpha Artists, accelerated the conflict to new heights. Curbelo, after cancelling Rodriguez's contract, managed to blacklist him from the Latin Music scene. The blockade lasted until Rodriguez released Inolvidable (1963) and made hi triumphant return to the scene. Hear about all this and more, in this week's episode! 

Songs:

Sabroso Mambo

Mambo Diablo

Cha Cha Cha Para Ti

Tito's Cha Cha Cha

Mama Güela

Mambo With Me 

El Pañuelo

El Güiro de Macorina 

Inolvidable 

Cualquier Cosa 

Mirame Mas

Avisale A Mi Contrario

El Palo

La Batea

Pa'lante

Besar 

Tus Ojos                    

Though he is often unmentioned Vitin Aviles made a name for himself working with the likes of Tito Puente, Charlie Palmieri and Tito Rodriguez. His voice can be heard on hits such as "La Hija de Lola" and "El Sedante de Rumba" as well as more obscure recording of boleros such as "Vete". Today's show celebrates this overlooked sonero and bolerista. 

Songs

Dime que quieras de mi

Guaguanco en tropicana 

El Panquelero

No Puedo Vivir 

El Cantante del amor

Te quiero a ti

Tierra Nuestra 

Sacale el cuerpo

Dale cara a tu dolor 

compay salsa

El mundo esta bien, el loco soy yo 

cimientos 

la canasta 

es tarde ya 

vete 

te me vas 

esta lluvia 

no me pises en el suelo