Written in 1939, by Alberto Dominguez, every time this Latin classic is sung, everyone joins in! Crazy, informal and fun…
Feb29
Monthly Archives: February 2012
Feb21
The REAL “Quien Sera”
A singer must know the meaning of a song in order to communicate its full potential to an audience. As a singer of bilingual music, I am often asked about a song’s content. It is a source of constant study for me, the history surrounding the making of a song, the various translations, as well as those special persons who help bring it into the public’s eye.
The song, “Quien Sera,” is one amazing song, with great history. Written in 1953 by Pablo Beltran Ruiz, from Mexico, it has captured the public’s attention ever since. Rewritten as “Sway,” in English, it was No 15 on the American charts with Dean Martin, regaining mass popularity in 1960 with Billy Rydell and redone in sultry style with the Pussy Cat Dolls in the 1990s My personal favorite version of “Quien Sera” is the following video. If you look closely, you’ll notice the dancer is Jennifer Lopez. Que hermosa.
Here are the Spanish words translated for English speakers who wish to understand the lyrics. They are direct translation, and is not meant to be poetic.
Who will be the one who loves me?
Who will it be? Who will it be?
Who will be the one who gives me his (her) love?
Who will it be? Who will it be?
I don’t know if I`ll be able to find him (her).
I don’t know. I don’t know.
I don’t know if I will love again.
I don’t know. I don’t know.
I have longed to live again
The passion and the ardor of another love,
Another love that would make me feel,
That would make me as happy as I was yesterday.
And then we have the English translation, which bears no resemblance to the meaning of the Spanish lyrics (usually the case). Ahhh, Dean Martin, he’s always great to hear…
When marimba rhythms start to play,
Dance with me, make me sway.
Like a lazy ocean hugs the shore,
Hold me close, sway me more.
Like a flower bending in the breeze,
Bend with me, sway with ease.
When we dance you have a way with me.
Stay with me. Sway with me.
Other dancers may be on the floor,
Dear, but my eyes will see only you.
Only you have the magic technique.
When we sway I grow weak.
I can hear the sound of violins
Long before it begins.
Make me thrill as only you know how.
Sway me smooth. Sway me now.
Feb14
Reconditioned Love for Valentines Day
Love is many things. But more than anything it is a disturbance of the digestive system—Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
Love in Alaska, batting the flies.
Love changes over time, and after being married for 28 plus years, it continues to evolve.
My Valentine to you readers, is to share these observations:
The first blush of love is romantic. It is about discovery, lust and uncertainty. Everything is high and low; everything is possible. It defines, creates and destroys. There is no middle ground. It is riding a roller coaster, it is diving off the cliffs of La Quebrada; it is divine.
With time, love becomes an instrument to accomplish goals. There are promises that a couple has made together or separately, that through love become successful, diminished or slowly worn away. Raising a family, establishing a livelihood, running a household, and building a life together, all constitute this path. Romance may dull, but other surprises occur such as children, that give unimaginable joy and unbelievable sorrows to either support your love or tear it apart, bit-by-bit.
If children are a part of this love, upon their departure, comes the search for love to be rediscovered and renewed. There are different needs and new challenges to be defined and shared. What was it that you once saw in each other, what goals do you now have in common, how have each of you changed, grown apart, grown closer? Sometimes love leaves with the children, and each must go their own way.
Should we choose to rediscover love, it takes great work. We become, doubtful, irritable and non-compromising in our dissatisfaction, before we even recognize that love has fled. There are no guarantees that one can regain it. Then again, sometimes with great effort, love can surprisingly reappear; that is when you know miracles happen.
This love is sweeter than the first. Because of time, you know what your lover is going to say by a look on their face. You can predict how some discussions and arguments will begin and end. You learn even more about caring and compassion. You chose to stay or leave and find that as each day has a sunrise and sunset, love is also cyclical.
Boleros, trovas de amor, are not about happiness. Boleros reflect love’s perplexities. Within the tune, the lyrics tell of sorrow, loss and betrayal, as well as compassion, joy and love’s endurance. And now, here is a love song for you.
Feb10
A Moment in Song: KOOP Radio 2010
Gathering up the momentum to create new sounds, I look to times that led to growth. This interview, taken on my birthday two years ago, was one of those times. Here is just one of the songs performed, but of course, it’s a favorite of mine, Volver. Unrehearsed and raw, when it was over, the studio became very quiet. The radio host told me later there was something special happening in the studio that day; the moment of silence held the emotion of the song, and was wonderful.
You can listen to it on my Reverbnation page
Or You can download it and play it on your computer
The guitarist on the song was my friend I visited in Nice, France, Christian Fernandez.
Photo is taken at Connie’s Beer Garden with Steve Vidal, congas,Christian Fernandez guitarist, Richard Price horns and Ed Friedland (behind me), bass and me.
Feb7
Mi Música
Music is part of my family, and my life. It is in our blood. It is easy to hear, whenever we play. This special recording of Hasta Siempre was made on January 15, 2012, at Ruta Maya on South Congress at a event with Alianza Cultural Latinoamericana. I had just returned to Austin, Texas from travels, and invited to step onstage with Mauricio Callejas, a wonderful singer-songwriter http://mauriciocallejas.com/ and Juan Antonio de los Angeles.
Feb2
Music and Family/La Familia y Música
After my last blog post, my brother David reminded me of Philip, my other brother who is also a talented singer/songwriter. Check him out.
His CD, River Through the Sun, released in 2009, was/is incredible! I am also on this gem, doing harmony.
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/philiprodriguez