La canción de la semana #209

This song was performed by Louis Armstrong, Stan Kenton, Duke Ellington, Fania All-Stars and Bebo Valdés, to name just a few. According to Wikipedia, El Manisero (The Peanut Vendor), written by Moisés Simons, "is possibly the most famous piece of music created by a Cuban musician." Since its first performance by Rita Montaner in 1928, El Manisero has been recorded more than 160 times! Perhaps the best known version is the one by Don Azpiazú and his Havana Casino Orchestra, featuring Antonio Machín.

La canción de la semana #208

...is Danza from La vida breve by Manuel de Falla, performed by the great Paco de Lucía.

La canción de la semana #207

La Dansa de l'Imbècil by the legendary Catalan band Dusminguet. This song appears on the band's 2001 album Postrof.

La canción de la semana #206

...is Baracunátana by the Colombian band Aterciopelados, from their 1996 album La Pipa de la Paz.

La canción de la semana #205

Quizás, quizás, quizás was the first Spanish song we were learning in our Beginner Spanish class, back in 2002. The song was written by the Cuban Osvaldo Farrés in 1947. Since then, innumerable cover versions were recorded. Here's a short list of my favourite interpretations:

• Celia Cruz
• Lila Downs
• A duet of Ibrahim Ferrer and Omara Portuondo, with Roberto Fonseca on piano
• Bossa nova by the Japanese-Brazilian singer Lisa Ono (小野リサ).
• Ska version by the Italian band Ska-J

Siempre que te pregunto Que, cuándo, cómo y dónde Tú siempre me respondes Quizás, quizás, quizás Y así pasan los días Y yo, desesperando Y tú, tú contestando Quizás, quizás, quizás Estás perdiendo el tiempo Pensando, pensando Por lo que más tú quieras ¿Hasta cuándo? ¿Hasta cuándo? Y así pasan los días Y yo, desesperando Y tú, tú contestando Quizás, quizás, quizás

La canción de la semana #204

Soneando El Merengue by Manolito Simonet y su Trabuco.

La canción de la semana #203

...is Despertar, composed and performed by the Chilean singer Jacqueline Fuentes, from her album Amo la Vida.

La canción de la semana #202

El pueblo unido jamás será vencido was written by Sergio Ortega and Quilapayún just a couple months before the September 11, 1973 Chilean military coup. The best-known song of Ortega, it became an anthem of popular resistance worldwide. The song also inspired modern composers and jazzmen, such as Frederic Rzewski (36 piano variations) and Charlie Haden (The People United Will Never Be Defeated from The Ballad of the Fallen).

De pie, cantar que vamos a triunfar. Avanzan ya banderas de unidad. Y tú vendrás marchando junto a mí y así verás tu canto y tu bandera florecer, la luz de un rojo amanecer anuncia ya la vida que vendrá (Complete lyrics)

La canción de la semana #201

Angélique Kidjo sings in many languages: English, Fon, French, Swahili, Yoruba... She is yet to record a song in Spanish, and when that happens, I promise, you will know from this blog. From the liner notes of her new album, Õÿö:

On Saturday nights in Cotonou, the capital of Benin where Angélique was born, a big "Bal Poussière" (dusty ball) was held. At the peak of the night, when couples would form, Santana's Samba pa ti would always be played.

So, this week we have that African classic, Samba pa ti. It is sung in Yoruba and sounds as if it was always meant to be sung by Angélique Kidjo.

La canción de la semana #200

Yes, 200^th — let's celebrate! This week, it is the song I can't get out of my head: an absolutely smashing performance of Mandinga by the great Rubén González (1919—2003). The refrain "quiquiribú mandinga" is identical to that in La negra Tomasa. But listen carefully and you'll hear much more. Among other songs that González quotes is Очи чёрные (at about 5:10).