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Ep. 130

I often talk about Chilean revolutionary song here on the podcast. Its close to my heart, not because of any personal connection to that beautiful country whatsoever, but because their history, music and culture is deep in my heart and I have deep admiration for the struggles, successes and achievements. I often talk about nueva cancion and its suppression under Pinochet as well, but what happened in Chile was not unique. The US history of interventionism is long and continues to grow longer even in this present moment. The history of fascism attempting to destroy art and culture is also long. These dictatorships understand that music and art holds an immense power of communication. Many of these dictatorships began actually suppressing their own cultures and traditional music and art. In Chile, we have perhaps the most severe case of artistic suppression, the murder of Víctor Jara as well as his records and many others being banned, Pablo Neruda’s books were burned and it was illegal to sing revolutionary songs. In Spain Franco officially banned Catalan and other languages from school and public spaces.

Revolutionary artists suffered exile simply for singing about the reality of their people, yet they became part of the strong international community that not only brought attention to the atrocities being committed, but also played a role in ending those dictatorships with their tireless work and denouncements of their atrocities.

Today we will be celebrating what many would call “protest music”, however I, like Víctor Jara, prefer the term “revolutionary song”, from around the world. All of these artists faced various consequences for their activism and We need this inspiration right now, we actually need more revolutionary song after all, no hay revolucion sin canciones, so at this time let us take inspiration from these courageous and talented artists, starting of course in Chile. But who start with, Chile has such a rich diversity of Nueva Cancion, of course we start with Víctor Jara, a man who paid the ultimate price for simply singing the truth. We start in Chile especially seeing as this is the month of memory in Chile, a commemoration, a celebration of memory and a vigil to all those whose lives were taken.

Victor Jara — Manifiesto

Isabel Parra — En Septiembre Canta el Gallo

Quilapayún — Mi Patria

Illapu — Nuestro Mensaje

Los Jaivas — Un Mar de Gente

Manuel Garcia — El Viejo Comunista (live)

Atahualpa Yupanqui — Camino del Indio

Víctor Heredia — Sobreviviendo

Mercedes Sosa — Gracias a la Vida

Daniel Viglietti — Declaración de amor a Nicaragua/Con Nicaragua [with Benedetti]

Ramon Pelegero Sanchis (Raimon) — Diguem No

Phil Ochs — Santo Domingo (the marines have landed on the shores of)

[note]

Andres Jimenez — Libertad y Soberania

El Hormiguero — Calle 13

Silvio Rodriguez — La Maza

Pablo Milanés — canción por la la unidad latinoamericano

Carlos Puebla — Y en eso llego Fidel

Quilapayún, Inti Illimani - El Pueblo Unido Jamás Será Vencido

If you know who Salvador Allende is and I mention his last speech, made while the military bombarded the presidential palace, the line about Las anchas alamedas opening again may come to mind. It is arguably the best know part of the historic, deeply heart rendering and heart breaking speech. More than simply telling his nation what is happening and who is responsible, Allende reaffirms his commitment to the oath he swore to keep, the promises he made to his people and the work and progress he did achieve. He goes further, before the coup is even successful he foresees and heralds its end. He proclaims that the grand avenues will open once again. He gives thanks to all those who believed in him, who trusted him with the great responsibility to not only lead the country but keep his promises and undertake the great tasks that he dreamed would improve the lives of the masses.

Allende calls upon the downfall of the individuals involved, invoking their destruction before they are even able to wrest power from the legitimate government.

He does not cower, there is no fear in his voice. He speaks clearly, he never falters or stammers even as the presidential palace is bombarded around him. He looks at his fate without fear, knowing that this will all end with the sacrifice of his life and he implores his people to not sacrifice themselves. He leaves it unsaid in this moment, but it is clear he, in this moment an almost christ-like figure, intends to sacrifice himself for the sake of his people.

Perhaps we can see this as simply a trust in the laws of life and time, after all, no empire and no tyranny can continue forever, Allende certainly knew this.

Salvador Allende would be dead by that afternoon, he knew this as he spoke. It was clearly never a doubt in his mind, so with dignity, courage and a righteousness than can only come from a life spent truly working for the good of the people, stares at death and faces it directly. There is no need for him to hide from it because he knows that what he has done with his human life has been for the good of humanity, from his work as a medical doctor to the leaps and bounds in the improvement of the conditions of the chilean people, he worked for humanity not for its destruction.

Songs:

Allende Presidente - Ángel Parra

Compañero Presidente - Ángel Parra

Allende - Quilapayún

Allende/Por Todo Chile - Viglietti/Benedetti

Encuentro con la vida - Illapu

Las Ultimas Palabras - Ventiscka

I’ve always wondered how a person can quote Lolita Lebron and extol the virtues of Albizu Campos while simultaneously conforming to and defending the political structure of the United States Empire and its politicians. The cognitive dissonance within our community seems to have recently surged with the current discourse around this election and its implications. I have seen people, some of whom routinely quote and praise Puerto Rican revolutionaries, exalt the “leadership of the united states, particularly Joe Biden and now Kamala Harris. Simultaneously, I have also found it shocking that some people in our community cannot find it in their hearts to be in solidarity with their fellow oppressed people. There are those who have told me, well, what about us? We should focus on ourselves. These are two groups in our community that I have been observing recently and I find it prescient to talk about them here today.

Songs:

Pedro Redentor - Andres Jimenez

A Puerto Rico - Andres Jimenez

El Pueblo Unido - Quilapayún

Mosaico de Plenas Patrióticas - Andres Jimenez

Remembering Chilean singer-songwriter, nueva canción icon and advocate against Pinochet's human rights abuses; Ángel Parra.

Ángel is just one member of the incredible and illustrious Parra family whose contributions to Chilean music and culture have been enormous.




Me Gustan los Estudiantes

Meta Bala

Pobre del Cantor

Cancion de Patria Nueva

Cuando Amanece el Dia

Unidad Popular

Compañero Presidente

Hasta Siempre

Guitarra en Duelo Mayor

Canto a Mi America

Vientos del Pueblo

Allende Presidente

Que Vas a Hacer?

La Libertad

What I will be reading today is Vladimir Ilyich Lenin’s revisions to the party doctrine. Lenin had recently returned from exile at this point. He returned to Russia on April 16, a month after the Tsar’s abdication, after which he wrote the April Theses, where he raged against the provisional government as bourgeois and said that Russia was in the first stage of revolution, the next steps would need to include placing power in the hands of the proletariat. There’s a lot of other things that he calls for as well such as agrarian reform, the abolition of police and the wages of all officials to be the same as common workers, it’s overall an interesting set of directives. I mention it to place what I will be reading today in the context of the time. The Tsar was out of power, Russia was not yet communist, Lenin was back from exile, and the country was in turmoil, a lot of violence and uncertainty. Just a few months after this document was written, the October Revolution would take power and bring to power the first government based on the teachings of communism. Russia would become the first socialist country in the world. The first to go beyond the theory and take action. A grand experiment indeed. 

But why am I reading this today? And on’t I know about all the atrocities committed by the soviet union? Wasn’t Lenin a bad person, an evil dictator, a killer and a tyrant? According to many and mainstream media yes, according to historical evidence and research, not really. I’m not here to say the soviet union was communist utopia, it wasn’t. I’m not here to say the USSR never committed any atrocities, they certainly did. I’m not here to say things were done perfectly, they were not. What I am here to do is paint a picture of the intentions of someone like Lenin and show that an immense amount of good was done by the soviets. I think we should first remember that there was no democratic tradition in Russia, there was never a democracy there. It’s rather rich to call Lenin a dictator when the guy before him was a Tsar! If anything Soviet Russia was more democratic than anything that Russians had ever known before it. 

An exaltation of folkloric tradition and the poetic laments of an exile, these two statements sum of the life and music of Uruguayan singer-songwriter Alfredo Zitarrosa.

SONG LIST:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3sJj2CSpfrwwjfaYFFsP1z?si=78d74787905047aa

At times I feel like I am loosing my sanity, like I can’t hold it together anymore, after all we can cannot normalize the times we are living through and what we are witnessing, this takes a massive toll on our minds and emotions and spirits. 

One of the things holding me together through all of this has been music. Especially revolutionary song, of all kinds. And that of course has me thinking about the power of revolutionary song and art of all kinds, the commercial music industry and how it tries to co-opt this expression of the people and the trap of “representation” in media and politics. This is what I want to talk about today. 

A Luis Emilio Recabarren - Inti Illimani

nuestro mensaje - Illapu

El Necio - Silvio Rodriguez

solo digo compañeros - Karaxú

El Pueblo Unido - Ventiscka

• I have been extremely inconsistent here lately. And that is going to change very soon. I am very busy with a lot of other things I have going on, it’s really one thing in particular. But by early July I will definitely be back to consistent, weekly podcasts. Anyway, I didn't want to go another week without at least releasing something. I want to tell you about my trip to Puerto Rico recently, and share what I experienced, but I need more time for that. I want to do the experience justice with the show I’m going to do. This week will be a shorter episode, different than usual. I want to talk about the news, Gaza, this ceasefire that was passed by the security council, and also the current political atmosphere, the election, just share my thoughts about all this. 

Songs

Ciencia Politica - Frankie Dante

El Derecho de Vivir en Paz - Musicx de Chile

Estadio Chile - Pete Seeger

Preguntas por Puerto Montt - Víctor Jara

Love me, I'm a liberal - Phil Ochs

The Urgent Call of Palestine - Zeinab Shaath

Links:

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/iron-bars-electric-shocks-dogs-and-cigarette-burns-how-palestinians-are-tortured-israeli-detention 

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-palestine-systematic-sexual-abuse-torture 

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/sexual-abuse-and-beatings-palestinian-mothers-ordeal-israeli-custody 

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/us-lawmakers-hague-invasion-act-what-is-it 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C74-PdGP57s/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

A journey into the life and music of Chilean nueva canción artist, journalist, novelist, playwright and poet Patricio Manns.

Víctor’s music reflects many things…a love for humanity, his own life experiences and the lives of regular people, the poor, the farmers, the laborers and artists that are often overlooked and forgotten. The people who make the country run, the people most exploited and forgotten among us. Víctor immortalized not only the archetype of the farmer, the laborer, the peasant but he also immortalized many individuals. Roberto Ahumada, Miguel Ángel Aguilera, Angelita Huenuman, the people senselessly killed in Puerto Montt in 1968 simply murdered for occupying the land of a rich family in southern Chile or Herminda, the baby killed where a Santiago poblacion named after her was built. These names would sadly be lost to time if it were not for Víctor’s songs which encourage us to discover who the real people were behind his lyrics.

• Manifiesto 
• La luna siempre es muy linda 
• Preguntas por puerto Montt 
• Te recuerdo Amanda 
• Angelita Huenuman
• Cancion de cuna para un niño vago
• El lazo
• Plegaria a un labrador 
• Con el alma llena de banderas 
• Ni chicha ni limoná
• Herminda de la Victoria 
• El arado 
• Cuando voy al trabajo
• Vientos de pueblo 
• Que lindo es ser voluntario 
• El derecho de vivir en paz 

I had a full circle moment recently. It was about this time last year, a cloudy day, drizzling.  I was wearing a wool sweater too, not the same one, but similar. I was moody and sad, both days. Last year, that day, I first listened to “Manifesto”, Victor Jara and I will say again, it changed my life. This past year has changed me as a person, and that moment when I first heard that beautiful voice and that guitar, I could feel the change. It was a song that I felt I had heard my entire life, yet a song I had never heard before. 

This year, I finally after having known about him for months, actually I first heard listened to Phil Ochs for the first time. And I had a similar reaction to “I ain’t marching no more”. I was struck by more than Ochs’ voice or the lyrics of the song, I was struck by poignant, relevant and sincere his music was. As I listened to more of his music, I was amazed at just how applicable they are to everything happening now, from US militarism, foreign policy, racism, western liberalism and revolution, all things Ochs sang about. I knew it was significant for me to come upon Ochs’ music at the time I did. I almost regretted that I hadn’t found his music just a tiny bit sooner, so I could have played his “Love me, I’m a liberal” on my recent show about Western liberalism.Today we will talk about Phil Ochs, his music, how it so perfectly talks about what is happening today and much more.

Songs:

What’s That I Hear 

Spanish lament 

Remember me 

Talking Vietnam blues 

Talking Cuban crisis

Too many martyrs

The thresher

I ain’t marching anymore 

Draft dodger rag 

Talking Birmingham Jam 

Here’s to the state of Mississippi 

There but for fortune 

I’m going to say it now 

Ringing of revolution 

Santo Domingo

Love me. Im a liberal 

Canons of Christianity. 

The war is over

Changes 

When I’m Gone 

In September of 1970 rightwing Chilean media baron Agustín Edwards Eastman traveled to Washington DC to meet with CIA director Richard Helms, Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and President Richard Nixon. They discussed plans to overthrow the then newly elected government of Salvador Allende.

This was just one part of the sinister role that Chile's wealthiest and most powerful media baron played in the events of the 11 September 1973.

Songs:

Plegaria a un labrador - Víctor Jara, Quilapayún

Con el alma llena de banderas - Quilapayún

Encuentro con la vida - Illapu

I was perusing the internet the other day when I came across the music of Spanish pop sensation Niño Bravo and his song “Un Beso y Una Flor” and I absolutely loved his voice and the style of the song, that dramatic 1970’s baroque pop sound. I of course looked him up and found out that one of his most famous songs, “Libre”, was played while political detainees and political prisoners in Chile were tortured by Pinochet’s regime. I’ll let that sink in for a moment.  I was immediately horrified especially when I found out that the song was originally written against Franco’s regime in Spain. So I realized that this song written against fascism was actually hijacked by it. It disturbed me, especially when I actually listened to the song, there was such a crazy contradiction there, this passionate song about freedom and the idea that people were tortured to the sound of it. That really messed with my head. Because I liked the sound of the song, yet I was revolted by the idea of it being used as a fascist anthem and the soundtrack of torture. Naturally this set up a wild contradiction inside of me.  So naturally I wrote a story and now I'm reading it for you!

I’ve been running into never ending problems with the western liberals recently, especially about the genocide in Gaza. This election cycle we are being presented with a supposedly democratic choice which is really no choice at all; between a racist, orange menace and maniac, or a genocide enabling geriatric psychopath. And the establishment is calling on us to chose between these two revolting individuals. Meanwhile the western liberals are telling us that we must vote for Biden, the genocide enabler and supporter. I want to unpack all this here today.

The horror in Gaza continues, people are killed by bombs, they are starved to death and massacred as they try to get flour to feed their families. In this time, sometimes we need poetry.

So we take a breath and read some poetry from one of the greatest to ever give us a look inside of the soul and mind of a poet; Pablo Neruda. There are so many lessons to be taken from his poems, so many feelings to be shared and an immense amount of insight! 

Chris Hedges' article about Aaron Bushnell: https://open.substack.com/pub/chrishedges/p/aaron-bushnells-divine-violence?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

Poems:

The day will come

Standard Oil Co.

United Fruit Co.

Do Not Ask Me

Ode to the atom

I will return

I call upon you

Point

The Victorious People

Songs:

Sobreviviendo - Illapu

Alcare el crit - Guillamino, Manuel Garcia

With the ongoing genocide in Gaza, I often think about Che Guevara. What would he be saying? today we answer that question. We will be examine the lessons about imperialism we can learn from Che Guevara's 1964 UN speech. Peaceful coexistence, the crisis of the Congo, Vietnam, nuclear weapons and much more is discussed.

We are often told that Cuba is an authoritarian, repressive dictatorship. But did anyone ever take a second to ask who really made Cuba a dictatorship?  Some will immediately say “Fidel Castro made Cuba a dictatorship”. Let us consider for a moment that Cuba actually I ts a dictatorship. Now let us ask ourselves WHO made it a dictatorship. Was it Fidel? Was it Batista? Was it the United States interventions and interference? The bay of pigs invasion? The 600 assassination attempts against Fidel? Was it the threat of military invasion? Was it the constant attempts by the CIA to overthrow the government? Was it the world’s lack of solidarity with the Cuban people? Was it the blockade? Was it the murder of Revolutionary heroes and Cuban citizens? Was it terrorist attacks from the US against the Cuban people? The designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism?

Llego

Romping

Ok, this may sound silly. This is something you don’t know about me, but I love Narnia, C.S. Lewis’ “the chronicles of Narnia”, while I will be the first to say there is some problematic language in some of the books, I love those books. The really do communicate something very deep, something bigger than a story of children stumbling into another world. I saw a quote earlier from Mahmoud Darwish that said “if the olive trees knew the hands that planted them their oil would become tears”. I thought about that…amidst so much human suffering, nature also suffers, all parts of nature. And then this passage from “the Last Battle”, the last book in the series came into my mind, so much so I actually got up and ran to find the book and when I opened the book, I came exactly to the page I was looking for. That’s when I knew I needed talk about this! This is going to be a show of a lot of unexpected connections!

cover image: The Last Battle (full-color collectors edition) by C.S Lewis

A lot has happened this week. As usual I update you on everything happening in Gaza before we get into this show about Uruguayan Nueva Canción artist, Daniel Viglietti.

link to playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1KSkDenNDXFKwzuyB5Wi53?si=e6bab2ff62e44d6c

[Español abajo]

Journalist Mansour Shouman is missing since Sunday.

POST on social media about this.

WRITE to the Canadian government (he is a Canadian citizen) and demand they look into this)

CONTACT publications and media networks to demand they cover this story.

Keep him in your prayers, affirmations and thoughts.

https://www.instagram.com/mansourshouman7/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet (note. his team continues to post on this account, Mansour himself is not posting)

(En Español)

El periodista Mansour Shouman está desaparecido desde el domingo. 
PUBLICA en las redes sociales sobre esto. 
ESCRIBE al gobierno canadiense (él es un ciudadano canadiense) y exige que lo investiguen) 
CONTACTA publicaciones y redes de medios para exigir que cubran esta historia. 
MANTENERLO en sus oraciones, afirmaciones y pensamientos.

Today’s show is a message for and a tribute to the survivors, the dead and us, we the people, humanity! It’s also a message for the politicians, the criminals committing these atrocities.  

Songs:

Somos Cinco Mil - Ángel and Isabel Parra

Estadio Chile - Pete Seeger

Preguntas por Puerto Montt - Víctor Jara

Luchin - Víctor Jara

Aunque Los Pasos Toquen - Illapu

Tres Versos Para Una Historia - Illapu

El Pueblo Unido Jamas Sera Vencido - Inti Illimani

La Era Esta Pariendo un Corazón - Silvio Rodriguez

El Derecho de Vivir en Paz - Rodrigo Gallardo

Join me today as I continue a series debunking myths and malicious propaganda that seeks to defame the legacy of revolutionary hero, Che Guevara. In this age where fake news can disseminate at lightning speed, and there is a war against education, knowing the truth of our history is essential.

The most often repeated claims about Che Guevara are certainly along the lines of, “he was a mass murderer”, “he killed for sport”, “he was known as el Carnicero of la Cabaña (the Butcher of the Cabaña)”, “a sadistic torturer” among many, many others. Wherever you look, by simply searching his name, mentioning the 4 syllables of his name or invoking his universally recognized image, you will find no scarcity of articles, books, interviews, documentaries, and social media posts announcing that all of this is true, based on the experiences of real Cuban exiles (or their family members in Cuba), and if anyone disagrees they are characterized as insane, uplifting a murderer, how that PragerU video about Che put it; “into sadistic thug worship”, or simply a commie, 17-year-old-socialist or a stupid college kid. The many claims can become overwhelming. Then there’s people on the other side, the left with often the best of intentions, defending Che from all of this. Unfortunately these arguments can be riddled with fallacies, and sometimes entirely miss the point. The response “but it was a revolution, people die” is not an acceptable response to the claims that Guevara was a murderer. So today, we ask where the truth is in all of this. 

A look at the artists keeping the work and memory of Víctor Jara alive today and always. From those who knew and loved him to those born after his death, all share a deep love for him and commitment to keeping his legacy alive!

Songs:

Canción a Víctor - Inti-Illimani

Manifiesto - Quilapayún

Preguntas por Puerto Montt - Los Olimareños 

No Puedes Volver Atras - Patricio Manns 

Cuando Voy al Trabajo - Mercedes Sosa

Luchin - Roberto Bravo 

Plegaria a un Labrador - León Greco

Te Recuerdo Amanda - Nano Stern

Poema 15 - Francesca Ancarola

A Luis Emilio Recabarren - Inti-Illimani

Angelita Huenuman - Silvia Baducci, Osvaldo Torres, Patricio Castillo 

Manifiesto - Víctor Heredia 

Canción para Víctor Jara - Quilapayún 

El Arado - Manuel Garcia, Guillamino

El Derecho de Vivir en Paz - Banda Conmoción, Roberto Marquez 

La Partida - Illapu

Canto Libre - Isabel Parra 

Vientos del Pueblo - Ángel Parra 

Vamos por Ancho Camino - Los Jaivas

Canción de Muerte y Esperanza por Víctor Jara - Osvaldo Rodriguez 

El Derecho de Vivir en Paz (live) - Quilapayún, Inti-Illimani 

There is so much to talk about this week: an update to the Víctor Jara case, the genocide In Gaza continues and war criminal Henry Kissinger is finally dead!

We'll be taking a closer look at Kissinger's role in genocides around the world, the death, pain and suffering of millions and how his foreign policy continues to cause suffering today.

Songs:

El Derecho de Vivir en Paz - Víctor Jara

Knee Deep in the Big Muddy - Pete Seeger

Sobreviviendo - Víctor Heredia

Allende Presidente - Ángel Parra

Tres Versos Para Una Historia (live) - Illapu

El Derecho de Vivir en Paz - Musicx de Chile (et. al).

Illapu has a song called Sobreviviendo, it's an anti-war song and it has a line that says "no puedo olvidarme de Hiroshima" and recently they changed that line to "no puedo olvidarme de Palestina". Illapu has always remained consistent in the content and quality of their music. Over the past 52 years, Illapu has documented the horrors of dictatorship, the desaparecidos, they have sung for memory, or simply a better future, Illapu is a voice of the people and they are true revolutionary artists.

Aunque los pasos toquen video: https://youtu.be/5mpgFbC1j5Y?feature=shared

Tres versos en una historia video: https://youtu.be/N71GFUoavWE?feature=shared

link to playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4Jltxf3vMtcX0Zuo9FYYka?si=9e11d18ad2554154

Before we start on today's show, REMEMBER: There is an ongoing genocide in Gaza! Well over 12,000 Gazans have been murdered. The level of horror and barbarity is unimaginable and unacceptable. Don't look away, don't stop talking, demand a CEASEFIRE! Palestine will be free! Join me today as I begin a series debunking myths and malicious propaganda that seeks to defame the legacy of revolutionary hero, Che Guevara. In this age where fake news can disseminate at lightning speed, and there is a war against education, knowing the truth of our history is essential. Today we will debunk the newly prevailing myth that Che Guevara was homophobic. So let's find out; did Che imprison gay people?

Victor Jara is the essence of revolutionary song and the greatest example of a revolutionary artist. Today we will be taking a closer look at his "Pongo en Tus Manos Abiertas" album. Víctor sings tributes to four very different revolutionaries, an ode to guerrillas in Bolivia, of the love of two workers, and much more.

Album:

Pongo en Tus Manos Abiertas

I will not stay silent when I see a genocide being committed before the eyes of the world. Photo by @motaz_azaiza Songs: El Derecho de Vivir en Paz - Victor Jara Sobreviviendo (live) - Illapu Guerra - Residente https://youtu.be/Zl_GlPquElI?feature=shared

Join me today as I begin a series debunking myths and malicious propaganda that seeks to defame the legacy of revolutionary hero, Che Guevara. In this age where fake news can disseminate at lightning speed, and there is a war against education, knowing the truth of our history is essential. Today we will debunk the prevailing myth that Che Guevara was racist. Songs: America te hablo de Ernesto - Silvio Rodriguez Fusil Contra Fusil - Silvio Rodriguez Una Canción Necesaria - Vicente Feliú

Today’s show explores the life, work and legacy of the most popular vocalist in Puerto Rico of the 1950’s, Felipe “La Voz” Rodriguez

I think Che Guevara is one of the most misunderstood historical figures, whether through ignorance or choice. We often get a highly unbalanced perspective on Che, one insists he was a murderous tyrant, while the other side, that often tries to defend him, lacks a depth of understanding as to who the revolutionary and man Che Guevara really are. Today, we take a look at Che through the eyes of musicians ahead of the 56th anniversary of his murder. We'll be looking at how Che's example has inspired artists and how music serves as a vehicle of memory. Whether it's Silvio Rodriguez's "Fusil Contra Fusil", Carlos Puebla's "Hasta Siempre" or Víctor Jara's "El Aparecido", Che has certainly captured the imagination of the artist and the listener.

Songs:

Hasta Siempre - Carlos Puebla

Fusil Contra Fusil - Silvio Rodriguez

Canción al Guerillero Heroico - Elena Burke

El Aparecido - Víctor Jara

Que Pare El Son - Carlos Puebla

Nada Más - Atahualpa Yupanqui

Una Canción Necesaria - Vincente Feliú

America Te Hablo de Ernesto - Silvio Rodriguez

Makongo Machevere - Grupo Oba Ilu

Maferefun Che - Mario Balmaseda

Zamba del Che - Víctor Jara

Carta al Che - Inti-Illimani

Su Nombre Ardio Como Pajar - Patricio Manns

La Era Esta Pariéndo Un Corazón - Silvio Rodriguez

Si El Poeta Eres Tu - Pablo Milanés

Canción del Hombre Nuevo - Daniel Vigilietti

Lo Eterno - Carlos Puebla

Hombre - Silvio Rodriguez

Tonada del Albedrío - Silvio Rodriguez

Hasta Siempre - Maria Farantouri.

There are dates in history that have become infamous because of horrific acts of human violence, where the shocking and senseless loss of human life traumatizes and horrifies the world and embeds wounds in the psyche of individuals and entire nations. One of those infamous dates is September 11, except we aren’t talking about 2001, we are talking about 1973. Twenty-eight years earlier, Chile experienced that same horror, death and terror. This time, however, the United States fully supported what happened. And we have to ask, why? Because Chileans exercised their democratic rights and elected a socialist and self proclaimed Marxist, becoming the first country in the world to do so. The US government deemed this utterly unacceptable, their solution was to support a coup that would take the lives of thousands, torture thousands more and embed deep wounds in the psyche of Chile. While in the U.S., people pledge to never forget September 11, 2001, they will continually ignore Chile’s 9/11, when the United States fully supported the overthrow of a democratically elected president in favor of a fascist who brutally took power, savagely tried to destroy opposition and terrorized an entire country, not once, not for one day, but for 17 long and dark years, Pinochet ruled by a doctrine of terror, using torture and disappearances as a form of government. This is the 2nd part of a two part show we will be talking about what happened in Chile, but most importantly we will be using memory as a way to honor the victims of that regime and help heal those wounds. We will be using memory as an act of resistance. 

⁠CLICK HERE for full list of sources links, audio credits and songs.⁠

Illapu - Aunque los pasos toquen (video) ⁠https://youtu.be/5mpgFbC1j5Y?feature=shared⁠

There are dates in history that have become infamous because of horrific acts of human violence, where the shocking and senseless loss of human life traumatizes and horrifies the world and embeds wounds in the psyche of individuals and entire nations. One of those infamous dates is September 11, except we aren’t talking about 2001, we are talking about 1973. Twenty-eight years earlier, Chile experienced that same horror, death and terror. This time, however, the United States fully supported what happened. And we have to ask, why? Because Chileans exercised their democratic rights and elected a socialist and self proclaimed Marxist, becoming the first country in the world to do so. The US government deemed this utterly unacceptable, their solution was to support a coup that would take the lives of thousands, torture thousands more and embed deep wounds in the psyche of Chile. While in the U.S., people pledge to never forget September 11, 2001, they will continually ignore Chile’s 9/11, when the United States fully supported the overthrow of a democratically elected president in favor of a fascist who brutally took power, savagely tried to destroy opposition and terrorized an entire country, not once, not for one day, but for 17 long and dark years, Pinochet ruled by a doctrine of terror, using torture and disappearances as a form of government. Starting today in a two part show we will be talking about what happened in Chile, but most importantly we will be using memory as a way to honor the victims of that regime and help heal those wounds. We will be using memory as an act of resistance. 

CLICK HERE for full list of sources links, audio credits and songs.

Víctor Jara sang the reality of his people; their past, present and dreams for a better future. His music was deeply political but also deeply human. Today we will be taking a closer look at his 1971 "El Derecho de Vivir en Paz" album and talk a bit about its meaning. As we head into September, we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the U.S. backed military coup that would oust Allende from presidency and take the lives of thousands, including Víctor Jara (a show is coming about that next week). So, it is essential we take this time to commemorate, remember and evoke for justice.

Songs: (all written by Jara unless otherwise stated)

El Derecho de Vivir en Paz (with Los Blops)

Abre La Ventana

La Partida (instrumental)

El Niño Yuntero - comp. Miguel Hernandez

Vamos Por Ancho Camino

A La Molina No Voy Mas

A Cuba

Las Casitas de Barrio Alto

El Alma Llena de Banderas (originally Little Boxes, comp. Malvina Reynolds)

Ni Chicha Ni Limoná

Plegaria a un Labrador

B.R.P

"En Algo Nuevo" is arguably one of Tito Rodriguez's most innovative albums. It showcases Rodriguez's innovation and ability to move with the times. The two sides of Tito Rodriguez are present on this album; the romantic bolerista everyone loves and his less recognized musical genius.

Link to playlist here:

https://open.spotify.com/album/4d3aBRFRCkHCAwqLyafyLC?si=53H3c2esRHS5q59cNJ2KVA

Today we are celebrating 2 years of the Voice of the Waterlily podcast.

Thank you to all who have listened, commented, messaged and expressed your support and appreciation, it really does means much to me!

link to playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1kjQiRrEPSjJrX4ZD3SohX?si=4a2f6a4bb02d4ef5&pt=85c0e043e8122c53a20f671432f4edc8

Benny Moré traveled the musical skies like a shooting star; here one moment gone the next. Rising from the poorest section of Santa Isabel de la Lajas Cuba he became a internationally known star known by many as ‘El Barbaro del Ritmo’ or by many as simply ‘El Benny’.  Bartolome Maxmiliano Gutierrez Moré was born on August 24, 1919 in La Guinea section of Santa Isabel de la Lajas, Cuba, the eldest of 18 children. His interest in music started early, he often sang, made his first instrument when he was 6 years old and created bands with his siblings. He left school in the fourth grade to cut sugarcane. When Bartolo was 17, he traveled to Havana for the first time, returning to his home town after 6 months. He soon returned to Havana with a guitar and a plan. Times were difficult for him as he tried to make a name for himself. His perserverance pais off when Conjunto Matamoros hired him as lead singer. In June of 1945 the group traveled to Mexico. Bartolo decided to stay, before they left the band members told him one thing; he needed to change his name. In Mexico Bartolo or Bartolome was a slang term for a donkey, not a great name for his artistic career. He chose the name Benny. Benny stood in MX for 7 years, making a name for himself around South America and the Caribbean but not in Cuba. Upon his returnt o his native land in April of 1952, he found himself working at radio stations again and slowly becoming known. He joined the badn of Ernesto Duarte Brito and his popularity began rise  After More discovered  Duarte Brito was not taking him to certain gigs because he was Black, he filed a complaint with RCA Victor - they ignored him- leading him to start his own band with the help of his cousin, the legendary Cuban Trumpet virtuoso, Chocolaté Armenteros. The band recorded their first song in November of 1953. ‘Manzanillo’ exploded and Benny became known throughout Cuba. Sadly Benny struggled with alcoholism and died of chirrosis of the liver at just 43 years old. Fidel Castro sent soldiers to carry his coffin and the island mourned the death of their greatest voice.

link to playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1CtbenPIUCPOPTLb5gwS0V?si=a589b2f20be54835

Benny Moré traveled the musical skies like a shooting star; here one moment gone the next. Rising from the poorest section of Santa Isabel de la Lajas Cuba he became a internationally known star known by many as ‘El Barbaro del Ritmo’ or by many as simply ‘El Benny’.  Bartolome Maxmiliano Gutierrez Moré was born on August 24, 1919 in La Guinea section of Santa Isabel de la Lajas, Cuba, the eldest of 18 children. His interest in music started early, he often sang, made his first instrument when he was 6 years old and created bands with his siblings. He left school in the fourth grade to cut sugarcane. When Bartolo was 17, he traveled to Havana for the first time, returning to his home town after 6 months. He soon returned to Havana with a guitar and a plan. Times were difficult for him as he tried to make a name for himself. His perserverance pais off when Conjunto Matamoros hired him as lead singer. In June of 1945 the group traveled to Mexico. Bartolo decided to stay, before they left the band members told him one thing; he needed to change his name. In Mexico Bartolo or Bartolome was a slang term for a donkey, not a great name for his artistic career. He chose the name Benny. Benny stood in MX for 7 years, making a name for himself around South America and the Caribbean but not in Cuba. Upon his returnt o his native land in April of 1952, he found himself working at radio stations again and slowly becoming known. He joined the badn of Ernesto Duarte Brito and his popularity began rise  After More discovered  Duarte Brito was not taking him to certain gigs because he was Black, he filed a complaint with RCA Victor - they ignored him- leading him to start his own band with the help of his cousin, the legendary Cuban Trumpet virtuoso, Chocolaté Armenteros. The band recorded their first song in November of 1953. ‘Manzanillo’ exploded and Benny became known throughout Cuba. Sadly Benny struggled with alcoholism and died of chirrosis of the liver at just 43 years old. Fidel Castro sent soldiers to carry his coffin and the island mourned the death of their greatest voice. link to playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4WBcMfbDMjbze4yYmBEIis?si=df61f54b44604aed

Today's show takes a look at the formation, contributions and legacy of one of post revolutionary Cuba's most important groups....Juan Formell's 'Los Van Van'. Los Van Van challenged long standing traditions and conventions in Cuban music, with some terming their music cruzado. Their innovation paid off, as today they remain the most popular dance band in Cuba.

Link to playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/33ofrknySO4fcusUSIqB4M?si=10409d34ac61463b

Founded in 1965, Quilapayún quickly became one of the most important and pivotal folkloric groups in the Chilean Nueva Canción movement of the 60's. During a time of turmoil that paved the way for the 1970 election of Salvador Allende. Quilapayún sang of injustice and colonialism, speaking out against the Vietnam war and praising the worker. Despite having to flee the country after the violent coup of 1973, which ushered in 17 years of violence, terror and dictatorship, Quilapayún continued to sing. Now exiled in France, Quilapayún sang of freedom, justice and of the victims of the dictatorship, one being Chilean singer-songwriter and their former director - Víctor Jara. Quilapayún continues to be a voice of the people and one of memory. Link to playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4wksZt98CYWzCWXvAa2Jeq?si=3f194adcc0d44486

Carlos Puebla's voice became a musical chronicle of the Cuban Revolution. His music narrated the suffering of Cuba's guajiros under Batista's dictatorship. After the triumph of the Cuban Revolution, Puebla began to recount the radical changes that transformed Cuban society. His songs document urban and agrarian reform, the literacy brigades of the early 60's and even the botched Playa Girón (Bay of Pigs) invasion. Puebla wrote in honor of revolutionary heroes such as Fidel Castro, Camilo Cienfuegos and Che Guevara, writing his most famous composition, "Hasta Siempre" for the latter. Puebla also wrote songs of hope for other revolutionary movements in other countries, even those on other continents.

Link to playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4qQbQTanwnLcZ3ghe3tt1Z?si=d8cbff3dd3fa49dd

 Andrés Jiménez simultaneously mixes tradition with innovation while taking on serious issues such as colonialism, poverty, Puerto Rico’s independence and so much more. His songs are poetic, narrative yet hard hitting. They convey the reality of the colonialism with tear welling pride and emotion. For the past year-and-a-half Andrés has been essential to me, his music has made me feel so many different emotions and it has made me think. It provokes thought! I love music that provokes thought and feeling…as Don Pedro Albizu Campos said, “La sabiduria sin sentimento es como una fuente sin agua”…Andrés has both of those things in his music—Sabiduria y sentimiento, wisdom/knowledge and feeling and that is what makes his music so special. Today we wish him a very happy 76th birthday and many blessing ahead. 

Feliz Cumpleaños, Don Andrés 

Playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1uiBjZF8TPonZAeyEZvwry?si=134e3f4495164bf9

NOTE: this podcast is being published off schedule due to technical issues. This is the last podcast that will be published off the usual Saturday morning schedule. 

Inspiration doesn't strike on demand and poems do not appear just because you want them to. This one is no exception. Over the past few years I yearned to write a poem about Don Pedro Albizu Campos, I even wrote a few that were reasonably good. However none captured the essence of one of the most incredible things about the remarkable Puerto Rican liberator; the power of his voice. It was something that had captivated me from the moment I heard it. What I heard was something between a thunderstorm and a gentle murmur in summer grass, a hurricane and a warm breeze. I can really find no better way to describe it than the essence or Boricua soul and the collective voice of resistance of ancestors that refused to be broken and humiliated. He spoke with such confidence in the greatness of the Puerto Rican Nation, one who truly listens cannot help but be overcome with incredible pride. On one occasion thousands stood in the pouring rain for more than two hours as he spoke. Many would remember that he spoke with an "electric, almost religious fervor" 1 that captivated people. So after years of trying to capture exactly that in a poem, it finally came to me with such ease one evening earlier this month; single line that expressed that which I was struggling to convey, "his voice was more of a storm than a man".

Feliz Cumpleaños, Don Pedro

Que Viva Don Pedro Albizu Campos

Que Viva Puerto Rico Libre

Betances: refers to Ramón Emeterio Betances (1827-1898) known as "El Padre de la Patria" and "El Padre de los Pobres" ("the father of the country" and "the father of the poor"). He was a Puerto Rican revolutionary, organizer of El Grito de Lares, abolitionist and medical doctor.

Hostos: refers to Eugenio Maria de Hostos (1839-1903) known as "El Gran Ciudadano de las Americas". He was a Puerto Rican independence advocate, lawyer, educator, novelist, sociologist and philosopher.

Lola de Tio: refers to Lola Rodríguez de Tio (1843-1924) Puerto Rican independence advocate, poet, abolitionist, advocate for women's rights and writer of the original, revolutionary version of Puerto Rico's anthem, 'La Borinquena'.

Agüeybaná: refers to Taíno cacique Agüeybaná II (El Bravo) (c. 1470-1511) who led the Taino rebellion of 1511 against the Spanish conquistadors and was killed in battle with them after being betrayed by his sister.

Hatuey: refers to Taíno cacique Hatuey (c. 1478-1512) known as "Cuba's First National Hero" who traveled from his homeland, Quisqueya (the Dominican Republic) to Cuba and waged guerilla warfare against the conquistadors before he was burned alive after refusing to be converted to christianity.

Bolívar: refers to Simón Bolívar (1783-1830) known as "the Liberator" who liberated the present-day countries of Venezuela, Panama, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador from Spanish rule. He served as the 1st president of Colombia, 6th president of Peru and 1st president of Bolivia.

READ IT HERE: https://voiceofthelily.water.blog/2023/06/29/his-voice-was-more-of-a-storm-than-a-man/

1. Denis p. 117

Songs:

Pedro Albizu Campos - Andrés Jiménez, El Jibaro

Ya Te Veremos Libre - Carlos Puebla

Due to technical difficulties, I was not able to release a new podcast this week, however enjoy this bonus episode from last year.

José Maldonado is one of the many overlooked Boricua heroes. He was called a bandit by both the Spanish and US governments, participated in the ‘Intentona de Yauco’ and founded Salon Boricua which was later owned by Vidal Santiago Diaz. Listen to his story here. songs  Coño, Despierta Boricua - Andres Jimenez ‘El Jibaro’ 2010 Despierte Borincano - Bobby Capó 1971

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

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"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