For this song we head over to Deutschland for the strains of (alleged) songstress and actress Marlene Dietrich. Dietrich had a lengthy career as a singer, movie star and cabaret performer and was known for her sultry, oppulent and exotic looks, as well as being very fashion-forward by wearing menswear, creating an androgynous look. Born in what is now a district of Berlin in 1901, Dietrich initally wanted to be a concert violinist, but a wrist injury kiboshed that. She began acting and got her big break in 1930's The Blue Angel. She soon became one of the highest paid actresses in Hollywood, although her screen acting career didn't last a super long time, as her films became knows as 'box office poison'. It is said that in 1939 the Nazi party approached her and offered her a boatload of money to move back to Germany and appear in a movie about the Third Reich, but she turned them down flat and applied for U.S. citizenship later that year. She started a stage act where she toured North Africa, Italy and Iceland entertaining the Allied troops with American night club comedian Danny Thomas. She successfully segued into a world tour cabaret act that took up most of the rest of her career. She employed song master and hair wunderkind Burt Bacharach to arrange songs that would hide her limited contralto vocal range. Dietrich pretty much ended her career after falling off the stage and breaking her thigh, became an alcoholic and addicted to pain killers and spent the last 11 of her 90 years bedridden in her apartment in Paris.
So the song Lili Marleen was born the same way a lot of German lieder was - it started out as a poem and was eventually set to music some time later. Originally recorded in 1938, the song didn't make much of a splash until WWII when a radio station in Begrade, Serbia (at the time Yugoslavia) started playing it for the occupying German troops. The song became a big hit for the soldiers in part due to its nostalgic nature (it's about a girl back home) and soon it became the theme song for Erwin Rommel's soldiers in North Africa. It eventually became a big deal for the Allied troops (who were listening in) and English and French versions were recorded. Marlene Dietrich recorded the song in 1944, and performed it in her subsequent cabaret act as well as in the movie Judgement at Nuremberg.
Thoughts:
Kelly:
Ohh, I really like this song. It reminds me of all that Berthold Brecht/Kurt Weill/German Weimar cabaret type music that I really enjoy. The accordion makes it so nostalgic - I can imagine Dietrich amble down the main strasse in Berlin, cigarette in hand, exchanging niceties with passers-by. I can see why Allied radio picked it up as well, because with French lyrics it could easily sound like a French composition (and the French really seem to have the market cornered on nostalgie, don't they?) The clarinet sounds good too, and although La Dietrich is no Elizabeth Schwartzkopf, I enjoy the husky quality of her voice and her delivery. I had no idea that she sang or was involved in performing for the troops, I thought she was just a moody actress, so that was a cool thing to learn. It was also cool to learn that she was a woman after my own heart and was a gay icon, loving the active gay cabaret scene of 1920s Berlin. Nice work, Dietrich! 4.5/5
Holly:
Lili Marleen (Marlene Dietrich): Ok, so Marlene Dietrich is not a good singer. Her voice is husky, yes, sultry, sure. But good – nope. I kind of like the background accordion playing. It’s got a really weird tone to it, and it’s almost played as a wind instrument would play some of those lines. I also quite like the song itself. We seem to be in a long list of songs with great historical import, which this song also possesses. Taking into account that I like the song, and the arrangement, but not the singing, I’m giving this a 3.5/5
Lili Marleen - Marlene Dietrich
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Monday, March 2, 2015
This Land is Your Land - Woody Guthrie
And now for a song that everyone probably knows the chorus to. This Land is Your Land is one of those songs that feels like it's been around forever, a traditional folk tune that no one really knows where it came from - but we do know where it came from, and that was the mind of Woodrow Wilson 'Woody' Guthrie (with a little help from our friends the Carter Family). Woody was a behemoth of American folk music and a mammoth influence on such greats as Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and perpetual nice guy Pete Seeger. Where Seeger wrote on his banjo 'This marchine surrounds hate and forces it to surrender', Guthrie had a placard on his guitar which said 'This machine kills fascists'. Guthrie was born in a small town in Oklahoma and wrote many songs of his experiences growing up in the dust bowl during the Great Depression. To the surprise of no one he was associated with many communist sympathizing groups, although was never a card carrying member of any of them. Guthrie was married 3 times and had 8 children, one of which is also a famous folk musician Arlo Guthrie. Unfortunately, Woody had inhereted Huntington's disease (a neurodegenerative disorder that affects muscle control and leads to mental decline) from his mother and passed away in 1967 at the age of 55.
This Land is Your Land - Woody Guthrie
And just for fun, here's the first verse of the Canadian version:
Guthrie originally wrote This Land is Your Land in 1944 as an antithesis of the recently released 'God Bless America', which he saw as inane. He borrowed the melody of the song from a Carter Family tune 'Little Darin', Pal 'o Mine' and wrote his own lyrics. This was something that he apparently did quite often to increase the popularity of his songs, and seeing as he wrote what is known as a scathing protest song during a time when his country was at war, he put it into a booklet with a few other folk tunes that he had written. The song became a hit with people who were struggling economically and financially during that time and eventually became a protest anthem around the world, the lyrics being adapted for India and Canada (!) Anyway, the song continues to be a big deal, as Bruce Springsteen and perpetual nice guy Pete Seeger sang it for Barack Obama's 2009 Presidential inaugauration.
Holly:
This Land is Your Land (Woody Guthrie): This song is simple, and is played and sung without any ornamentation or frills, but it’s become a big cornerstone in American music history. Another song that has more historical than musical importance in my opinion. The guitar playing and singing are both fine on this recording, but nothing special. The fact that it was a protest song is what has given it the staying power over the years. I’ve never felt a particular attachment to this song, and I still don’t. 2.5/5
Kelly:
Yeah, again I agree with my sister on this one - a song heavy on historical importance and light on musical importance. But maybe had it not been such a catchy melody, it wouldn't have caught on? But we can thank the Carters for that (sorry Woody). For some reason this song reminds me of my early childhood, maybe there's a Raffi version? Anyway, Guthrie's voice sounds exactly like you would expect someone with the name Woody Guthrie to sound like. It's pretty simple, just him and his guitar, but that's the set of for a lot of folk music, as it was meant for people to join in and sing together. I can imagine that this song is relatively poweful when you have a bunch of folksters gathered at a park in New York with their guitars and banjos and hammered dulcimers singing their hearts out, but poor ol' Woody by himself just doesn't make the cut for me. 3/5
This Land is Your Land - Woody Guthrie
And just for fun, here's the first verse of the Canadian version:
This land is your land, This land is my land,
From Bonavista, to Vancouver Island
From the Arctic Circle to the Great Lakes waters,
This land was made for you and me.
Rum and Coca-Cola - Lord Invader
Move over, George Harrison and the Chiffons - we have our first instance on this list of a song being plagiarized.
But first things first - the history behind this song. The book tells us that during World War II the US invaded the Caribbean island of Trinidad in attempt to block any invasions (makes sense). Lord Invader decided to change his name from Rupert Westmore Grant to poke fun at the occupying forces, and his song Rum and Coca-Cola not only speaks of the delicious drink, or the blending of American and Caribbean cultures, but how the infantry would pay for the 'services' of many of the local Trinidadian women. He also borrowed the melody from the nearby island of Martinique. There's not a lot of info about Lord Invader, except for that he was important in early Calypso music.
The big controversy with this song is that after its release in 1943, a suspiciously similar sounding song came from the Andrews Sisters in 1945 with the same title and some of the same lyrics (they even sing with faux-Trinidadian accents). Anyway, Mr. Invader took the 'song writers' to court where it was determined that yes, they deliberately borrowed from his song, and he was awarded with an undisclosed sum of money.
But here's the important part - what we think!
Holly:
Rum and Coca-Cola (Lord Invader): Hmmm. I listened to this song several times, and just couldn’t really get into it. It’s just a light, fluffy, forgettable song to my ears. The subject matter is really the thing that’s interesting in the song. So listening to the lyrics was really cool, and informative of the attitude in Trinidad at the time. It’s too bad it just wasn’t a better song. 2/5
Kelly:
Why do I feel like I've heard this song a million times? I can't place it. Anyway, I get that this song is kind of a big for Trinidadians and their feelings towards the American invaders, but this song just doesn't do it for me. I understand that it's meant to be cheeky and pointed, but for me if falls flat. And there has got to be a better singer in Trinidad than Lord Invader. I found his voice grating and annoying, and it sounds like the band and backup singers didn't rehearse at all. 2/5
Rum and Coca Cola - Lord Invader
And below is the Andrews Sisters not-so-subtle rip off:
Rum and Coca-Cola - Andrews Sisters
But first things first - the history behind this song. The book tells us that during World War II the US invaded the Caribbean island of Trinidad in attempt to block any invasions (makes sense). Lord Invader decided to change his name from Rupert Westmore Grant to poke fun at the occupying forces, and his song Rum and Coca-Cola not only speaks of the delicious drink, or the blending of American and Caribbean cultures, but how the infantry would pay for the 'services' of many of the local Trinidadian women. He also borrowed the melody from the nearby island of Martinique. There's not a lot of info about Lord Invader, except for that he was important in early Calypso music.
The big controversy with this song is that after its release in 1943, a suspiciously similar sounding song came from the Andrews Sisters in 1945 with the same title and some of the same lyrics (they even sing with faux-Trinidadian accents). Anyway, Mr. Invader took the 'song writers' to court where it was determined that yes, they deliberately borrowed from his song, and he was awarded with an undisclosed sum of money.
But here's the important part - what we think!
Holly:
Rum and Coca-Cola (Lord Invader): Hmmm. I listened to this song several times, and just couldn’t really get into it. It’s just a light, fluffy, forgettable song to my ears. The subject matter is really the thing that’s interesting in the song. So listening to the lyrics was really cool, and informative of the attitude in Trinidad at the time. It’s too bad it just wasn’t a better song. 2/5
Kelly:
Why do I feel like I've heard this song a million times? I can't place it. Anyway, I get that this song is kind of a big for Trinidadians and their feelings towards the American invaders, but this song just doesn't do it for me. I understand that it's meant to be cheeky and pointed, but for me if falls flat. And there has got to be a better singer in Trinidad than Lord Invader. I found his voice grating and annoying, and it sounds like the band and backup singers didn't rehearse at all. 2/5
Rum and Coca Cola - Lord Invader
And below is the Andrews Sisters not-so-subtle rip off:
Rum and Coca-Cola - Andrews Sisters
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Stormy Weather - Lena Horne
And now time for another classic - Stormy Weather. The song was written in 1933, but the book gives us its seminal version as sung by Lena Horne for the 1943 movie of the same name. Miss Lena was a legend of stage and screen, performing on Broadway (even winning herself a Tony award) and being in movies. Lena's life had its own 'stormy weather' (see what I did there?) and she met with difficulties not only because she was mixed race (White, Black, First Nations) but she was also blacklisted in the 1950s due to her political inclinations and her friendship with fellow leftist sympathizer Paul Robeson. Lena was able to recover from this and maintained her popularity right until her death in 2010.
Stormy Weather is a classic - some of you fellow high school music nerds probably remember drippy arrangements for 'jazz' band and choir, thanks to the likes of Sammy Nestico and Kirby Shaw. As mentioned before, the melancholy song was originally written in 1933, but was made famous by the version heard here, as well as Billie Holiday's version (which we are mercifully not listening to. Sorry Billie.) Lena's version was included in AFI's 100 Years 100 Songs, ranking at number 30.
Our thoughts now.
Holly:
Stormy Weather (Lena Horne): Stormy Weather is another Harold Arlen classic. It sounds a lot like a less optimistic Somewhere Over the Rainbow. I’m going to admit to never having been a big Lena Horne fan. She always seems a bit syrupy and lacking in real emotion in her music. This song is not bad, but there are much better arrangements out there in my opinion. Just listen to Billie Holiday’s version, for instance. The instrumentation and backing band are well less cheesy as well. Admittedly a good song, but not my favourite version. 2.5/5
Kelly:
I like this song. I also have penchant for things that are a little more on the sad side of life, but I love the video of Lena in her billowy dress, singing of her troubles. Musically speaking, I think it's a really interesting melody, and the orchestration is pretty good. I'm not super crazy about Lena's voice, but again, I think it's just the aesthetic of the times. This song also holds a special place in my heart, as my best friend plays a really great Bill Evans-inspired version on the ol' piano. It's a classic, but I shan't be adding it to the song library. 3/5
Stormy Weather - Lena Horne
Stormy Weather is a classic - some of you fellow high school music nerds probably remember drippy arrangements for 'jazz' band and choir, thanks to the likes of Sammy Nestico and Kirby Shaw. As mentioned before, the melancholy song was originally written in 1933, but was made famous by the version heard here, as well as Billie Holiday's version (which we are mercifully not listening to. Sorry Billie.) Lena's version was included in AFI's 100 Years 100 Songs, ranking at number 30.
Our thoughts now.
Holly:
Stormy Weather (Lena Horne): Stormy Weather is another Harold Arlen classic. It sounds a lot like a less optimistic Somewhere Over the Rainbow. I’m going to admit to never having been a big Lena Horne fan. She always seems a bit syrupy and lacking in real emotion in her music. This song is not bad, but there are much better arrangements out there in my opinion. Just listen to Billie Holiday’s version, for instance. The instrumentation and backing band are well less cheesy as well. Admittedly a good song, but not my favourite version. 2.5/5
Kelly:
I like this song. I also have penchant for things that are a little more on the sad side of life, but I love the video of Lena in her billowy dress, singing of her troubles. Musically speaking, I think it's a really interesting melody, and the orchestration is pretty good. I'm not super crazy about Lena's voice, but again, I think it's just the aesthetic of the times. This song also holds a special place in my heart, as my best friend plays a really great Bill Evans-inspired version on the ol' piano. It's a classic, but I shan't be adding it to the song library. 3/5
Stormy Weather - Lena Horne
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
God Bless the Child - Billie Holiday
And we're back with our 3rd entry from Billie Holiday. Again, for more info on Billie, check out our review of Strange Fruit.
So God Bless the Child is one of the few songs that Billie actually wrote. It is said that she penned it after having had an argument about money with her mother, and her mom sort of bastardized a passage from the Bible which became the starting point for the song. The song was then recorded in New York in 1941. Anyway, it's probably one of Billie's biggest hits and has been covered by a lot of people, including Lou 'Smooth Like Butter' Rawls, Liza 'Can't Sing Legato' Minelli and Diana 'Don't Make Eye Contact With Me' Ross. It was also included in the Bioshock soundtrack, so all you gamers out there can listen for it.
Holly:
God Bless the Child (Billie Holiday): Wow, Billie Holiday again! I like her a lot, I really do, but this is pretty crazy. We’re only 23 songs in and we’ve heard the same artist 3 times! Oh well, she’s awesome, so I guess I’ll let it slide. I know that this is one of the few songs that Billie Holiday actually wrote, and yaddayadda, but it’s never really been my favourite. It’s good, but I just don’t like the actually melody that much. I think it’s a bit unimaginative. The band backing her up is good and I love the trumpet (Roy Eldridge) sound. Is it just me, or are the saxophones not mic’ed? They sound like they’re playing down the hall from the rest of the band! 3.5/5
Kelly:
Billie Holiday. AGAIN. Sorry list, but if it came down to Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald, Ella would win every time. Anyway, I've always kind of liked this song, and I feel like it's one of those songs that when Holiday recorded it, it was pretty simple and basic, so it made for a good song to cover and put your own spin on, like Blood Sweat and Tears did (and I'm actually more familiar with their version.) Like Holly, I think the band sounds really good, especially the trumpet, but they're all just kind of churning along, nothing spectacular or virtuosic. All said, it's a classic, but that doesn't mean I have to love it. 3/5
God Bless the Child
So God Bless the Child is one of the few songs that Billie actually wrote. It is said that she penned it after having had an argument about money with her mother, and her mom sort of bastardized a passage from the Bible which became the starting point for the song. The song was then recorded in New York in 1941. Anyway, it's probably one of Billie's biggest hits and has been covered by a lot of people, including Lou 'Smooth Like Butter' Rawls, Liza 'Can't Sing Legato' Minelli and Diana 'Don't Make Eye Contact With Me' Ross. It was also included in the Bioshock soundtrack, so all you gamers out there can listen for it.
Holly:
God Bless the Child (Billie Holiday): Wow, Billie Holiday again! I like her a lot, I really do, but this is pretty crazy. We’re only 23 songs in and we’ve heard the same artist 3 times! Oh well, she’s awesome, so I guess I’ll let it slide. I know that this is one of the few songs that Billie Holiday actually wrote, and yaddayadda, but it’s never really been my favourite. It’s good, but I just don’t like the actually melody that much. I think it’s a bit unimaginative. The band backing her up is good and I love the trumpet (Roy Eldridge) sound. Is it just me, or are the saxophones not mic’ed? They sound like they’re playing down the hall from the rest of the band! 3.5/5
Kelly:
Billie Holiday. AGAIN. Sorry list, but if it came down to Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald, Ella would win every time. Anyway, I've always kind of liked this song, and I feel like it's one of those songs that when Holiday recorded it, it was pretty simple and basic, so it made for a good song to cover and put your own spin on, like Blood Sweat and Tears did (and I'm actually more familiar with their version.) Like Holly, I think the band sounds really good, especially the trumpet, but they're all just kind of churning along, nothing spectacular or virtuosic. All said, it's a classic, but that doesn't mean I have to love it. 3/5
God Bless the Child
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
ALBUM OF (LAST) WEEK: The Wildest! - Louis Prima
Aaaaaaand we're back. Holly had a busy week of organizing a saxophone conference, so we took a bit of time off, but here we are again, and it's with Louis Prima.
Many people will probably remember Louis Prima as the voice of King Louis from Disney's the Jungle Book and duetting with Phil Harris on probably the best song in the movie (I Wanna Be Like You), but he actually had a very lengthy jazz/big band/Dixieland career. Prima was born in New Orleans to Italian immigrant parents in 1910. He started a seven-piece New Orleans style jazz band in the late '20s, a swing combo in the '30s, a big band in the '40s, and lounge act in Vegas in the '50s and a pop-rock band in the '60s. He was apparently very good with his fan base, often posing for pictures and signing autographs and was an equine enthusiast. He was a bit of a cad, having had an Elizabeth Taylor-esque string of marriages and divorces and eventually died of complications from a brain stem tumor in 1975. Apparently the inscription on his crypt reads, "When the end comes, I know, they'll all say 'just a gigolo' as life goes on without me. Lovingly, your little family..."
The Wildest! was recorded and released in 1956 and runs a tight 32:00. It also features Keeley Smith, who became one of Prima's many wives. This album is seen as probably the best in Prima's catalogue due to its fun mix of jump blues and jazz as well as its raunchy sense of humour. The book says, "this is simply irrepressible music that more than matches its cover shot. Prima is joyous, rumbustious, and irresistible.".
What do we say?
Holly:
And just for a bonus, here's a fun live version of Night Train, complete with bitchy side-eye from Keely.
Night Train Live
Many people will probably remember Louis Prima as the voice of King Louis from Disney's the Jungle Book and duetting with Phil Harris on probably the best song in the movie (I Wanna Be Like You), but he actually had a very lengthy jazz/big band/Dixieland career. Prima was born in New Orleans to Italian immigrant parents in 1910. He started a seven-piece New Orleans style jazz band in the late '20s, a swing combo in the '30s, a big band in the '40s, and lounge act in Vegas in the '50s and a pop-rock band in the '60s. He was apparently very good with his fan base, often posing for pictures and signing autographs and was an equine enthusiast. He was a bit of a cad, having had an Elizabeth Taylor-esque string of marriages and divorces and eventually died of complications from a brain stem tumor in 1975. Apparently the inscription on his crypt reads, "When the end comes, I know, they'll all say 'just a gigolo' as life goes on without me. Lovingly, your little family..."
The Wildest! was recorded and released in 1956 and runs a tight 32:00. It also features Keeley Smith, who became one of Prima's many wives. This album is seen as probably the best in Prima's catalogue due to its fun mix of jump blues and jazz as well as its raunchy sense of humour. The book says, "this is simply irrepressible music that more than matches its cover shot. Prima is joyous, rumbustious, and irresistible.".
What do we say?
Holly:
Louis Prima: The Wildest! (1956):
What a well needed change of pace! From Tragic Songs of Life, to the Wildest! I thoroughly enjoyed this week’s listening, partially because it wasn’t the Louvin Brothers, and partially because this album is so damned fun!
The band is energetic, and Prima’s trumpet playing is clear and strong. Saxophonist Sam Butera influenced a whole ton of jazz, pop, and rock saxophonists for decades after this recording. He just has such a confrontational way of playing. It’s awesome!
I liked that there are a few different singers, including Prima’s wife, and that all the instruments in the band get a chance to shine on this album. I also like how there are a number of different styles of songs on this album, from ballads, to swing, to Dixieland.
I have a few favourite songs on this album. First is Just a Gigolo. I know it’s the Louis Prima song that everyone knows, but it really is a great, fun song with energy, and good singing by Louis Prima. There’s a reason everyone knows it!
I also enjoyed Oh Marie, I like the rock and roll tenor sax, the Dixie brass section at the end, and just the overall fun vibe of the song.
And, just to have three favorites, Night Train. It’s such an unexpected version of this song. It’s slow, and dirty, and like the rest of this album, very in your face. I love the unexpected silences, and the crazy piano.
Ok, a bonus one. I also like the trombone solo, Body and Soul. It’s very musical, great trombone sound, and he quotes The Peanut Vendor at the end!
All in all, this was a super fun listen. Maybe not incredibly virtuosic on any level, but a super satisfying listen all the same. 8/10
Kelly:
Oohhh this album is so much fun! It was probably a total gas being in Prima's band/watching one of his live shows. I really love this kind of exuberant big band/jump and I feel like in this album, Prima has a really good thing going.
I really like tight back up vocals, and he's got some here! I'll leave the instrumental/saxo opinions to Holly, because I'll probably just end up sounding like a fool. I also really like his effortless little bits of scat and improvisation in some of the phrases. His voice is really recognizable too, and he doesn't sound like he takes himself too seriously at all. I couldn't help but dance and smile when I listened to this!
I have to say my favourite song on this album is Just a Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody. It's so cheeky and I just love the great big chord the voices open up on "Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii ain't got nobody". So good! Prima's characterization in the song is good too.
As a second favourite I have to go with Night Train. I always thought this was a James Brown song and am more familiar with the faster James Brown version, but I must say, I really like this slow, raunchy shuffle! It's like a slightly intoxicated saunter. And the piano noodling is just great. Oh, AND when the sax solo is going on, I love the other band members cheering and jeering. It makes it feel like you're in on the jam session.
And for final favourite song I like (Nothing's Too Good) For My Baby. It's just more fun and more cheeky singing, with some really solid vocals from Keely Smith.
There really wasn't anything I didn't totally enjoy on this album. In fact, I am adding it to my 'to buy' list! 8.5/10
And just for a bonus, here's a fun live version of Night Train, complete with bitchy side-eye from Keely.
Night Train Live
Sunday, February 8, 2015
Guantanamera - Joseito Fernández
Aaaaaand we're back to Cuba. Guantanamera is believed to be Cuba's most popular and patriotic song, allegedly written by José Fernández Diaz (later known as Joseito Fernández) and often used in his radio show. The song is said to have stemmed from Diaz making a pass at a woman who walked by and she responded pretty harshly, offended. Diaz was so shocked by the reaction that that afternoon he went home and wrote the song out at his piano. The song was made famous for North American audiences by folk troubadour and all around good guy Pete Seeger. Seeger recorded the song in 1962 at the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis as an attempt to pacify both sides of the conflict and encourage unity (you can hear Pete's version here), and it ended up being a hit for Seeger.
I couldn't find too much info about Joseito Fernández except for the fact that he helped popularize the song Guantanamera and that he passed away in 1979.
Holly:
Guantanamera (Joseito Fernandez): Oh. Guantanamera. Great. Every crappy busker with an acoustic guitar and cheap amp plays this on the subways throughout Europe! I had a hard time listening to this one objectively too. If there’s one thing I can say about the melody, it’s that it’s super catchy. It’s almost guaranteed to get stuck in your head. I love the brass, and percussion, not a huge fan of the strings in this arrangement. I sort of can’t wait until the point where the saxophone is more commonly used….I like Joseito Fernandez’s voice a lot. It’s really smooth and, well, Cuban! I’m going to say that I like the musicality, but not really the song itself. 3.5/5
Kelly:
Oh, I know this song. I can't pin down where I've heard it before, but probably just around. I humming the melody to this at work the other day and the melody is so infectious it was pretty soon in a few other people's heads. I agree with Holly, the string part is super lame, but everything else sounds great, and Joseito's voice is clear and strong and the harmony is really tight. This is not my favourite example of Cuban music, but it's really spirited and fun. 3/5
Get ready for this to be in your head forever.
Guantanamera
I couldn't find too much info about Joseito Fernández except for the fact that he helped popularize the song Guantanamera and that he passed away in 1979.
Holly:
Guantanamera (Joseito Fernandez): Oh. Guantanamera. Great. Every crappy busker with an acoustic guitar and cheap amp plays this on the subways throughout Europe! I had a hard time listening to this one objectively too. If there’s one thing I can say about the melody, it’s that it’s super catchy. It’s almost guaranteed to get stuck in your head. I love the brass, and percussion, not a huge fan of the strings in this arrangement. I sort of can’t wait until the point where the saxophone is more commonly used….I like Joseito Fernandez’s voice a lot. It’s really smooth and, well, Cuban! I’m going to say that I like the musicality, but not really the song itself. 3.5/5
Kelly:
Oh, I know this song. I can't pin down where I've heard it before, but probably just around. I humming the melody to this at work the other day and the melody is so infectious it was pretty soon in a few other people's heads. I agree with Holly, the string part is super lame, but everything else sounds great, and Joseito's voice is clear and strong and the harmony is really tight. This is not my favourite example of Cuban music, but it's really spirited and fun. 3/5
Get ready for this to be in your head forever.
Guantanamera
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