Voice of the Waterlily- Our Stories – Details, episodes & analysis

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 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 

Ray Barretto was born on April 29 1929 in El Barrio, New York. His childhood wasn't an easy one, as his father left the family when Barretto was just 4 years old and returned to Puerto Rico. Barretto's mother moved the family to the Bronx and struggled as a single mother to raise Ray and his 2 siblings, yet she was still able to instill a love of music in Ray. From a young age Ray showed an interest in percussion, banging on pots and pans. In 1946, at the age of 17, he joined the Army and while stationed in Germany heard the seminal song, 'Manteca'. Ray knew he wanted to be a musician. Upon his return he joined jam session and perfected his sound. He soon found work with José Curbelo. Soon after, Ray joined the Tito Puente Orchestra at the recommendation of Santos Colon (former singer for Jose Curbelo). After four years with the Puente Orchestra, he became a house musician for Prestige, Blue Note and Riverside labels. Barretto started his band, Charanga La Moderna in 1962 and had his first big hit, 'El Watusi'. In 1967, Ray joins the Fania roster and becomes part of the Fania All Stars upon their founding. After success with his Salsa albums, Ray decided to record a Latin Jazz album in 1972, however, unfortunately it was not well received. The following years were filled with turbulence in Barretto's life as 5 members of his orchestra left the band form Tipica 73. Just two years later, Ray was in a car accident and could not play for several years. Despite these hardships, Ray came back better than ever with an album titled, 'Rican-Struction'. In the early 90's Ray again decides to pursue "the other road" again and forms 'Ray Barretto & New World Spirit'. This time he enjoyed great success his Latin Jazz ventures. Ray joined the ancestors on February 17, 2006, at the age of 76. He has left an immense legacy and impact. Hear about all this and more in this week's celebration of Ray Barretto on what would have been his 93rd birthday.  Follow me @voiceofthewaterlily  Leave a comment and let me know what you think!  Aurora Flores' interview with Ray Barretto Songs Ancestral Messages Hot Hands 1993 The Other Road The Other Road 1972 The Lucretia the Cat The Other Road 1972 Bomba-Riquen Hot Hands 1993 Autumn Leaves my summertime 1995 New World Spirit Hot Hands 1993 The Summer Knows Contact! 1998 Time Was-Time Is Time Was-Time Is 2005 Triangle Handprints 1991 Cancion Pa’l Yunque Hot Hands 1993 Beautiful Love Hot Hands 1993 On a Sunday Afternoon Hot Hands 1993

Rumba; the Afro-Cuban style has a long history, arising from slavery, facing marginalization and eventually traveling the world. This show is a brief history of the style intertwined with the music of some of the greatest rumberos. Enjoy! AFRICA - The Rumba All Stars  Recuerdo a Matanzas - Los Papines  Baila mi Yambu - Los Papines  La Prueba del Ritmo - Clave y Guaguanco Ingrato Corazon - Patato y Totico Nuestro Barrio - Patato y Totico La Rumba Es - Los Muñequitos de Matanzas  Ta' Julian - Los Muñequitos de Matanzas  Blues Guaguanco - Arturo O' Farril  Ya yo me cure - Jerry Gonzalez  Columbia para los guerreros - Eddie Bobé Yambu - Mongo Santamaria 

Celebrating the life and work of Cheo Feliciano for the 8th anniversary of his passing! You will hear about how Cheo got his start as a singer, his years with Joe Cuba, struggle with addiction, comeback in 1971 with his first solo album, ‘Cheo’ and much more. Listen to the story of this amazing artist and his phenomenal music.  https://voiceofthelily.water.blog/2019/05/09/remembering-the-inolvidable-y-irrepetible-cheo-feliciano/ Que Va feat. Joe Cuba Sextet 1963 Dichoso feat. Joe Cuba Sextet 1965 Callejero feat. Joe Cuba Sextet 1963  Esto es Guaguanco 1971 Si Por Mi Llueve 1971 Anacaona (live) 1985 Nacha 1976 Amada Mia 1980 Trizas 1982 Los Entierros 1979 Mirada de Amor 1974  Hay que mentir 1972 Es muy facil 1976 Que si cantaban bien 1999 Romantico  El Ciego  Por Nuestra Felicidad  Me Fascina esa Mujer  Te van a decir 2002 Hacerte Venir  Coincidencia 

 [Español abajo] Today's show celebrates Celina y Reutilio. Unfortunately the husband and wife duo did not achieve as much recognition as they should have after the response to the 1959 Revolution forbad anything and everything Cuban from the US. We will be exploring how they combined Musica Campesina with the music of Santeria, as well as learning about their lives and enjoying their phenomenal music. El show de hoy celebra a Celina y Reutilio. Desafortunadamente, el dúo de marido y mujer no logró tanto reconocimiento como debería después de que la respuesta a la Revolución de 1959 prohibiera todo lo cubano en los Estados Unidos. Exploraremos cómo combinaron la música campesina con la música de la santería, además de aprender sobre sus vidas y disfrutar de su música fenomenal. Que Viva Chango Tumba La Cana Agua Pa' Mi Hijo de Elegua Una Fiesta con Ochun Papa Boco Canto A Borinquen Pedacito de mi vida La Casa de Yagua Me Tenian Amarrao con P. Ta' Cinio Alborada Guajira Flores para tu altar

"Remember that our music is the most exciting and complex, and it puts you to dance, not to sleep!", Mr. Palmieri declared! Last week I had the greatest honor of meeting the incredible Maestro, musical genius and cultural icon, Eddie Palmieri, ahead of his performance at Keystone Korner. Words cannot describe how incredibly honored I was to have the privilege of meeting him. Not only did he share so many precious stories and memories, Mr. Palmieri spoke of how Aristotle influenced his work, the importance of socially conscious music and his studies with Bob Bianco. More than anything, I was truly honored by his kind words of encouragement. This was a truly unforgettable experience for me! Listen to this incredible conversation with a true musical genius! 

Special words of thanks to Aurora Flores and Eddie Palmieri II for making this happen! 

• Mi Congo Te Llama Medley Lucumi Macumba Voodoo 1978
• Yo Soy Mulato Mi Luz Mayor 2018
• Colombia Te Canto Lucumi Macumba Voodoo 1978
• Justicia Justicia 1969
• Idle Hands Harlem River Drive 
• Mi Mambo Conga (Mozambique) Mambo con Conga is Mozambique 1964

Today, we celebrate women in Latin Music; the stars, the trailblazers and the unheralded gems. Enjoy listening to Paulina Alvarez, Celia Cruz and Xiomara Alfaro as well as Aurora Flores and Zon del Barrio, Victoria Sanabria, Libertad LaMarque and so, so many others. Enjoy! 

• Serenata Jibara — Rafael Hernandez y su Cuarteto Victoria 
• Isora Club — Cachao (comp. Juana Coralia Lopez)
• El Panquelero — Paulina Alvarez 
• Babalu — Toña La Negra 
• El Dia Que Me Quieras — Libertad LaMarque
• Que Sabes Tú — Myrta Silva 
• Mienteme — Olga Guillot 
• Siboney — Xiomara Alfaro 
• San Lazaro — Celina y Reutilio 
• Hija de Algallu — Linda Leida 
•  Gracia Divina — Celia Cruz 
• Guaguanco Bembe — La Lupe 
• La Vida Es Un Sueno — Graciela with Mario Bauza 
• Raza Pura — Lucecita Benitez 
• Tata Candela — Canelita Medina
• La Guaracherna — Milly, Jocelyn y Los Vecinos 
• Con Un Solo Pie — Fe Cortijo with Rafael Cortijo
• Borinquen — Yolando Rivera with La Sonora Ponceana 
• Yemaya y Ochun — La India with Eddie Palmieri
• Yo No Me Voy — Victoria Sanabria 
• Como La Flor — Selena 
• Cortijo Su Apellido — Aurora Flores and Zon del Barrio. 
• La Voz De Experencia — Celia Cruz and La India 

Today’s show is honor of the phenomenally talented Cuban vocalist known as ‘El Guapachoso’, Rolando LaSerie. He worked with the likes of Benny Moré, Tito Puente, Cachao and Johnny Pacheco, yet he did not receive recognition of popularity. Listen to his incredible music and hear about his life. 

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• La Palabra Fin (with Johnny Pacheco)
• Mentiras Tuyas 
• Que Me Digan Feo (with Tito Puente) 
• La Maquina Y La Madama (with Cortijo Y Su Combo) 
• Bilongo 
• Hola Soledad 
• Cuba Linda 
• Perdoname La Letra 
• Sobre Una Tumba, Una Rumba 
• No Me Dejes Solo (with Johnny Pacheco)
• El Paso De Encarnacion (with Johnny Pacheco)
• Inolvidable