La canción de la semana #56

The summer is here, and so are the World Cup, holidays and other things that interfere with my good intentions to post one song every week. But I will try.

For this week, I chose one of the most popular Spanish-language songs of all time. Maybe the most popular song of all time. Naturally, it is Bésame Mucho, written some 65 years ago by the Mexican composer Consuelo Velázquez. This Russian web site provides a good selection of interpretations of Bésame Mucho (including The Beatles, Placido Domingo, Ray Conniff, Dave Brubeck, etc., etc.) My tonight's choice is The Charlie Byrd Quintet version.

Kirill

La canción de la semana #55

...is Acebo by Charanga Cakewalk, from their CD Loteria de la Cumbia Lounge.

Kirill

La canción de la semana #54

...is Sur o no sur by the Alaskan/Argentine singer-songwriter Kevin Johansen. Warning: it's a kind of song you listen once and then hum all day.

Me voy porque acá no se puede, me vuelvo porque allá tampoco Me voy porque aquí se me debe, me vuelvo porque allá están locos Sur o no sur...

Kirill

La canción de la semana #53

...es Verano Porteño de Astor Piazzolla. Aquí encontrará varios videos de Piazzolla y su música.

Kirill

La canción de la semana #52

... is Dame Cinco by MamboMania. Music by Ludwig van Beethoven (Fifth Symphony), even though the credits say 'Musique and arrangement Marc Vorchin'.

Siempre estoy pensando Dame cinco, dame cinco Siempre estoy pensando Dame cinco, dame cinco, give me five

etc. By the way I found the link to this track here.

Kirill

La canción de la semana #51

Tonight, it is Tamacun performed by Dublin-based Mexican guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela. This instrumental opens their new album which went "straight to the top of the Irish charts" in March. They play at The Junction, Cambridge, on 24 May.

Kirill

La canción de la semana #50

Well, I think we need something really special for La canción de la semana número cincuenta. This week's choice is A La Orillita by the Mexican band Los de Abajo, from their latest CD LDA v The Lunatics.

Kirill

La canción de la semana #49

Taking silence for approval, I am continuing with tango nuevo. Today it is Xavante by Fernando Samalea, bandoneonist-drummer-composer, naturally, from Buenos Aires.

Kirill

La canción de la semana #48

...is Diferente, from the new album by Gotan Project, Lunático.

En el mundo habrá un lugar
para cada despertar
un jardín de pan y de poesía

Porque puestos a soñar
fácil es imaginar
esta humanidad en harmonía

Vibra mi mente al pensar
en la posibilidad
de encontrar un rumbo diferente

Para abrir de par en par
los cuadernos del amor
del gauchaje y de toda la gente

Qué bueno che, qué lindo es
reírnos como hermanos
Porqué esperar para cambiar
de murga y de compás.

Kirill

La canción de la semana #47

Since nobody apart from me posts anything, I allow myself to introduce one more song by my favourite singer. This is Cumbia del Mole by Lila Downs, from her new album La Cantina. I hope you like it.

Last week, we went to see Lila Downs @ Barbican. Great, as expected, and more than expected!

Feliz Semana Santa,
Kirill