 |
 GUILLERMO
PORTABALES is probably one of the greatest Cuban singers
of all time. His tenor is still revered all across Latin America.
Until his death, in 1970, he specialized in the country-style
Guajira, which is rootsier than the urban version
of the son popularized in Havana. The Rubias
cover his Amorosa Guajira. Check out his Al
Vaiven de me Carretta, or his version of El Carretero. |
 LOLA
BELTRAN.
The Queen of Ranchera music is known for her signature song
Cucurucucu Paloma - which Caetano Veloso recorded
again last year. She is also one of the great interpreters
of Jose Alfredo Jimenez with tunes such as
Corazon, Corazon and La Mano de Dios
.Her voice is wide, rich, powerful and precise.. She
is an alto who can do falsetto - and can also dip low to great
effect: dicen que por las noches...... |
SIMON DIAZ.
Rooted
in the Southern plains of Venezuela (Los Llanos) the beautiful
songs of Simon Diaz retain the folksiness of their country
roots but manage to transcend their origins. Unfortunately,
his records are hard to find here where he is mostly known
for his Caballo Viejo (slaughtered by the Gypsy Kings
as Bamboleo.) His Tonadas are out of this
world.
|
VICENTE
FERNANDEZ is now in his 60's. He's still touring He still
wears big sombreros and his voice is still powerful. He's
the Elvis of Mexico -both a singer and a movie star. If there's
a large Mexican community where you live, chances are he'll
be playing there soon: go see him. Nothing compares to a sing
along of Volver Volver with 5,000 Mexcians.
|
 SONS OF THE PIONEERS.
Tumbling Tumbleweeds was their big hit. Great three
part harmonies.The tradition of the cowboy song is not that
far removed from its Mexican equivalent. Cows, Guns and men
singing in high voices. |
 CHAVELA VARGAS
may be impossible to describe. The Mexican singer takes the
Ranchera repertoire and tortures it with her tequila-soaked
voice, her minimal arrangements and a higly developed sense
of drama. She looks like Death, she carries a gun and was
Frieda Kahlo's lover. And if you don't already, you need to
own a record of her with Macorina, Volver,
& Mi Segundo Amor. |
