Voice of the Waterlily- Our Stories

Today's show celebrates the work of Ramón Quian, better known as Monguito 'El Unico'. We'll celebrate his life and work with the likes of Johnny Pacheco and Arsenio Rodriguez. We'll also address the controversy su his similar vocal style to the famed Cuban vocalist, Miguelito Cuni as well as the role of the term salsa. 

Songs 

La Lema del Guaguanco

Guajira y Camara 

El Mundo

Esto Si Se Llama Querer

Me Gusta El Son

Borinquen Tu Guaguanco

Palo Mayimbe 

Mi Propio Sangre 

Salsa

No Le Llaman Salsa A Mi Son

Mi Son, Mi Son, Mi Son

Un Pedacito

Yo No Soy Mentiroso

Perla Fina

He had over 3,000 songs to his name. He was the most popular artists on the island right up until his death in 1965. He told about the life of the common person and the injustices they faced. He was one of, if not the first, exponent of Puerto Rican music in the US. His work crossed over into the Jazz world, and Jazz crossed over into his Puerto Rican music. Almost 30 years before Manteca was recorded, he would travel through Europe and make his way to the United States with Jim Europe’s “Harlem Hellfighters” and mix Puerto Rican rhythms with Jazz. This musical marvel, innovator and trailblazer is none other than ‘El Jibarito’ Rafael Hernandez.

The  jibaro music of Borinquen have always been very close to my heart.   I always heard them and loved them. Their rhythms and sounds took me home (to Borinquen). Even though I have never been to Borinquen this music is a way to connect to, and hear the sounds of my homeland. This music is the music that sings of the conditions that my family did experience in Borinquen. My father always told me that my grandfather loved, the music of Ramito, Luisito, and Moralito. My father always instilled a love of the Musica Jibaro. Every year on my grandfather’s birthday we play the Jibaro Music he loved, for him. I think about the Grandfather, who I never met but I have always known, every time I listen to Aguinaldos and Jibaro music. So, in today's show we will be celebrating the talent of Ramito, Moralito and Luisito, some of the most well known Jibaro singers of Puerto Rico. 

Songs:

Ismael Rivera; El Sonero Mayor; Maelo: today we celebrate him after what would have been his 91st birthday. You'll hear about his work with Cortijo Y Su Combo, how Bobby Capó played a pivotal role in their success, how Ismael's mother Doña Margot composed hits such as "Maquinolandera' and you'll even get a personal perspective as Aurora Flores recounts he memories of Maelo. Tune in and celebrate his life and legacy! 

Songs:

While he is scarcely mentioned, Chivirico Davila's voice can be heard on the records of Orlando Marin, Joey Pastrana, Rafael Cortijo, Kako Y Su Combo, Joe Cuba, Johnny Pacheco, The Alegre All Stars and Richie Ray. His proficiency as a sonero and bolerista alike often goes unnoticed and understated. 28 years after his passing we'll be remembering and honoring his legacy here on Voice of the Waterlily

Songs:

Ritmo Bembe (with Orlando Marin)

Esta de Bala (with Orlando Marin)

Pastrana Llego (with Joey Pastrana)

El Sopon (with the Alegre All Stars) 

Yenyere Jala-Jala (with Richie Ray)

El Champolon (with Johnny Pacheco)

Yo No Bailo Con Juana (with Cortijo, Kako)

Que Le Paso (with Cortijo, Kako)

Mirame 

Perfidia

Que Mas Puedo Pedir

Mala Noche 

El Babalao

Luna Lunera 

Mar Y Cielo 

Enamorado

Asi

Luis Munoz Marin rose from being, in all estimations, one big failure to being a senator and later the governor of Puerto Rico. It was quite a feat, but what he did with his newly acquired power was another story. Marin declared martial law to quell the 1950 Nationalist uprisings, had two towns in Puerto Rico bombed by P47 Thunderbolt warplanes, used carpetas to spy on and convict innocent people, only guilty of not supporting him, and even enacted the 1948 Gag Law preventing Puerto Ricans from the ”crime” of possessing their flag. But why would the first Puerto Rican elected governor of Puerto Rico, who had once demanded Puerto Rico’s freedom, do this to his own people?

Songs: