Voice of the Waterlily- Our Stories
By Anani Kaike
Genres explored include Latin Music, Salsa, Cuban Music, Puerto Rican Music, Latin Jazz. Merengue and more...
NOTE: I DO NOT own rights any of the music used on this podcast. I in no way imply ownership of any media used during the duration of this program.
Voice of the Waterlily- Our StoriesApr 22, 2023
Ep. 121 How Victor Jara immortalized the working people in his songs
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
Ep. 120 Singing louder than the bullets: Phil Ochs
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
Ep.119 A media baron, a newspaper and a coup: Augustín Edwards, the CIA and the overthrow of Salvador Allende
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
Ep. 118 When fascism hijacked a Spanish pop song
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!
Ep. 117 Western liberalism and privilege in times of genocide
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.
Ep. 116 Poems as medicine, insight and the language of the spirit: Pablo Neruda
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
Ep. 115 Lessons in Imperialism - what can we learn from Che Guevara?
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.
Ep. 114 Who made Cuba a dictatorship?
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
Ep. 113 The Magic of Communication and Stories: a Dryad, a Singer and a Poet
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
Ep. 112 Daniel Viglietti and why dictators hate culture
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
MISSING Journalist (Periodista Desaparecido): Find Mansour Shouman (billingüe/bilingual)
[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.
Ep. 111 A Message for Gaza
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
Ep. 110 Looking past propaganda Pt.3 Was Che a murderer?
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.
Ep. 109 The Never Ending Song: A Tribute to Víctor Jara
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
Ep. 108 The Crimes of Henry Kissinger - an indictment
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).
Ep. 107 Illapu won't ignore injustice in their songs
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
Ep. 106 Pt. 2 Looking past propaganda: Was Che Guevara homophobic?
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?
Ep. 105 A Closer Look: "Pongo en Tus Manos Abiertas" ~ Víctor Jara's gift to the workers and the power of revolutionary song
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
Ep. 104 I won't stay silent when I see genocide being committed
Photo by @motaz_azaiza
Songs:
El Derecho de Vivir en Paz - Victor Jara
Sobreviviendo (live) - Illapu
Guerra - Residente youtu.be/Zl_GlPquElI?feature=shared
Ep. 103 Pt. 1 Looking past propaganda: Was Che racist?
Songs:
America te hablo de Ernesto - Silvio Rodriguez
Fusil Contra Fusil - Silvio Rodriguez
Una Canción Necesaria - Vicente Feliú
Ep. 102 Puerto Rico’s most popular voice of the 1950’s: Felipe “La Voz” Rodriguez.
Ep. 101 Hasta Siempre, Comandante: Che Guevara as musical inspiration.
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.
Ep. 100 The Two Sides of Joe Valle: Classic Boleros and Orchestrated Plenas
Ep. 99 Pt.2 Chile's 9/11: Memory as resistance 50 years later
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
Ep. 98 Pt.1 Chile's 9/11: Memory as resistance 50 years later
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.
Ep. 97 A Closer Look: Víctor Jara's 1971 "El Derecho de Vivir en Paz" album
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
Ep. 96 A Closer Look: Tito Rodriguéz's 1972 "En Algo Nuevo"
"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
Ep. 95 2nd anniversary of "Voice of the Waterlily"
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
Ep. 94 Pt.2 Cuba's Greatest Voice: Benny Moré
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
Ep. 93 Pt.1 Cuba's Greatest Voice: Benny Moré
link to playlist on Spotify: open.spotify.com/playlist/4WBcMfbDMjbze4yYmBEIis?si=df61f54b44604aed
Ep. 92 Los Van Van: Innovation, Clave Cruzado and the Evolution of Post Revolutionary Cuban Music
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
Ep. 91 Quilapayún: A Voice of Peace, Justice, Freedom and Remembrance
Link to playlist on Spotify: open.spotify.com/playlist/4wksZt98CYWzCWXvAa2Jeq?si=3f194adcc0d44486
Ep. 90 Documenting the Cuban Revolution through music: Carlos Puebla
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
Ep. 89 Andrés Jiménez: Tradition, innovation and taking on colonialism through song
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.
Bonus episode: "His Voice Was More of a Storm Than a Man"; remembering and reflecting on Don Pedro Albizu Campos 130 years after his birth
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/
- Denis p. 117
Songs:
Pedro Albizu Campos - Andrés Jiménez, El Jibaro
Ya Te Veremos Libre - Carlos Puebla
Bonus Episode: Boricua heroes you should know - José Maldonado 'El Aguila Blanca'
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
Ep. 88 A Father's Day Special (feat. my father and grandfather's favorite music)
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
Ep. 87 Víctor Jara: The Right to Live in Peace (El Derecho de Vivir en Paz)
"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
Ep. 86 Silvio Rodriguez: Songs of Revolution, Protest, Idealism and Love
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)
Ep. 85 A Mother's Day Special (feat. my mother's favorite Boleros)
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
Ep. 84 Juan Morel Campos: Danza composer, multi instrumentalist, musical genius
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
Ep. 83 'Rican Struction' and Ray Barretto's artistic evolution
April 29th is Ray Barretto's birthday, so to celebrate him today we will be taking a closer look at his 1979 album Rican Struction. The album came after a difficult period in Barretto's artistic career and personal life. In 1972 Barretto released his first Latin Jazz album titled The Other Road, however it received very poor reception. The next year, 1973, 5 of the musicians from Barretto's band left to form Tipica 73 and two years later ray would suffer a terrible accident that left him unable to play for several years. In many ways Rican Struction was a comeback. The album had a strong percussive root while being experimental and very cutting edge. Barretto would record tunes such as 'Al Ver Sus Campos' in honor of don Pedro Albizu Campos, the classic bolero 'Piensa En Mi' and 'Adelante Siempre Voy' which signified Barretto's will to move forward in the face of adversity. Listen and learn about all this and more.
Album:
Rican Struction - Ray Barretto 1979
Ep. 82 The Philosophy of Puerto Rico's Greatest Liberator: Don Pedro Albizu Campos
Read it here: voiceofthelily.water.blog/2022/08/23/don-pedro-albizu-campos-genius-revolutionary-boricua-hero-second-revised-edition/
Listen to his biography here: voiceofthelily.water.blog/2022/09/10/ep-53-boricua-heroes-you-should-know-don-pedro-albizu-campos-revised-edition/
Songs:
Pedro Albizu Campos - Andres Jimenez 'El Jibaro'
Mi Perla - Rafael Alers
Sin Ti Jamas - Rafael Hernandez
Perla De Mi Patria - Rafael Alers
Lamento Borincano - Canario Jimenez
Mi Patria Tiembla - Trio Borinquen
Héroes de Borinquen - Canario Jimenez
Sueño de Libertad - Davilita, Jose R. Ortiz
Preciosa - Joe Valle
Que Bonita Bandera - Ramito
Mi Patria Es Mi Vida - Daniel Santos
Despierte Borincano - Bobby Capo
Revolt/La Libertad Logico - Eddie Palmieri, Ismael Quintana
Al Ver Sus Campos - Ray Barretto
Idioma Patria y Bandera - Edwin Zayas Colon, Luis Miranda
La Estrella Sola - Andres Jimenez 'El Jibaro'
Pedro Redentor - Andres Jimenez 'El Jibaro'
Cuatro Dimensiones de Pedro - Andres Jimenez 'El Jibaro'
En La Ultima Trinchera - Andres Jimenez 'El Jibaro'
Ep. 81 Pt. 3 Cheo Feliciano: The later years
Whether it was salsa or boleros, his time with Joe Cuba, the Fania All Stars or his later collaborations, one thing that never changed was his sentimiento. And he wasn’t just a romantic bolerista, his skill at interpreting in soneo, as an improvising sonero was remarkable. No matter what he sang, he interpreted it with feeling and sincerity. Thank you for tuning in to the third and final part in a three part podcast series about Cheo Feliciano.
Songs:
El Dia Que Me Quieras with Eddie Palmieri 1982
Bello Amanecer with Tito Rodriguez and La Rondalla Venezolana 1996
Mi Ultimo Fracaso with La Rondalla Venezolana 1984
Ausencia with La Rondalla Venezolana 1996
Controversia with Jimmy Sabater 1987
Por Nuestra Felicidad 1998
Coincidencia 1990
Una En Un Million 1990
Me Fascina Esa Mujer
Que Si Cantaban Bien 2000
Yo No Tengo Corazón Para Olvidarte 2002
Esa Es Tu Fortuna 2002
Hacerte Venir 1990
Ep. 80 Pt. 2 Cheo Feliciano: Comeback album and the Fania years
Whether it was salsa or boleros, his time with Joe Cuba, the Fania All Stars or his later collaborations, one thing that never changed was his sentimiento. And he wasn’t just a romantic bolerista, his skill at interpreting in soneo, as an improvising sonero was remarkable. No matter what he sang, he interpreted it with feeling and sincerity. Thank you for tuning in to the first part in a three part podcast series about Cheo Feliciano. After his recovery from addiction, Cheo Feliciano would make his triumphant return to the scene, his comeback album simply titled 'CHEO'. It featured 9 compositions of the renowned Puerto Rican composer, Tite Curet Alonso. The next year he would record an album of boleros with Jorge Calandrelli and his orchestra in Argentina. His trajectory would continue as he recorded many more memorable hits for Fania. Feliciano would also travel and perform with the Fania All Stars and record memorable hits with them, such as his rerecording of his composition, 'El Raton'. Learn about all this and more in this week's episode. Songs: Mano Caliente 1971 Si Por Mi Llueve 1971 Pienso en ti 1971 Medianoche y Sol 1971 Ansias de Amar 1972 Enfriamento Pasional 1972 Mirada de Amor 1974 El Raton (live with the Fania All Stars) 1975 Canta 1976 Tiempo Muerto 1978 Lucero 1978 Amada Mia 1980 Sobre una tumba humilde 1980 Sentimiento 1982 Trizas 1982 Anacaona (live) 1985
Ep. 79 Pt. 1 Cheo Feliciano: Early years, time with Joe Cuba, and recovery from addiction
Whether it was salsa or boleros, his time with Joe Cuba, the Fania All Stars or his later collaborations, one thing that never changed was his sentimiento. And he wasn’t just a romantic bolerista, his skill at interpreting in soneo, as an improvising sonero was remarkable. No matter what he sang, he interpreted it with feeling and sincerity. Thank you for tuning in to the first part in a three part podcast series about Cheo Feliciano.
. Young Cheo did not dream of being a singer, his first dream was to play guitar, however the Escuela de Musica Juan Morel Campos, a free music school was underfunded and had only 2 guitars and 40 students. Feliciano, then chose trombone, however there was only 1 trombone and 40 students, leading him to study music for 2 years before Cheo and his family were forced to move to the US due to the increasingly difficult economic situation on the island. Now in New York, Cheo turned to percussion, playing whenever and wherever he could. Soon after he would meet Machito who introduced him to Tito Puente and Tito Rodriguez, the latter who would give him an opportunity to sing live in front of an audience at the Palladium ballroom. Soon after, Feliciano would be hired by Joe Cuba and sing with his sextet for 9 years. Sadly, Cheo struggled with addiction at this time.
Hear about all this and more In today's episode.
Songs:
A Las Seis
Yo Vine Pa Ver
Te Adoro
Macorina
Callejero
Lo Bueno Ya Viene
Mujer
Como Rien
Aunque Tu
Quieres Volver
Cachondea
Bailadores
Guaracha y Bembe
Ay, Milagro
Oriente
Quinto Sabroso
Busca lo Tuyo (with Eddie Palmieri)
Ep. 78 Women in Latin Music Pt. III
Bonus Episode: Blanca Canales - Revolutionary Warrior
She was a teacher, social worker, "Las Hijas de la Libertad" organizer, and a revolutionary. She stood ready to giver her life for the liberation of her country. Though she never fired a single shot, she was charged with murder for the deaths of 3 police officers during the October 30, 1950, Jayuya uprising. Her name was Blanca Canales and this is her story.
Songs:
Idioma Patria y Bandera - Edwin Colon Zayas, Luis Miranda
En un bello amanecer - Andres Jimenez 'El Jibaro'
La Estrella Sola - Andres Jimenez 'El Jibaro'
Further listening and reading:
Podcast on Pedro Albizu Campos
Blog post on Pedro Albizu Campos
Ep. 77 Women in Latin Music Pt. II
As we celebrate women's history month, enjoy this first part of three episodes celebrating women in Latin music this month. This week will celebrate Cuban artists through the years from the 1800's to the modern day; learn about the elders right up until today.
Songs:
Maria Teresa Vera - Pensamiento
Rita Montaner - Rumba Guajira
Juana Coralia Lopez - Isora Club
Paulina Alvarez - Maiz pa' los pollos
Esther Borja - Lagrimas Negras
Xiomara Alfaro - Angelitos Negros
Maria Luisa Chorrens - Eso
Olga Chorrens - Te Adoraré
Graciela Perez - El Fin
Olga Guillot - Tengo Que Acostumbrarme
Elena Burke - La Gloria Eres Tu
Mercedita Valdes - Elegua 1
Candita Batista - Rezo a Babalú Aye
Celina Gonzalez - San Lazaro
Celia Cruz - Chango
Linda Leida - Hija de Agallu
Caridad Hierrezuelo - Maracaibo Oriental
Celeste Mendoza - Mi Rumba Echando Candela
Teté Caturla - Mata Siguaraya
Omara Portuondo - Lagrimas Negras
La Lupe - Cualquiera
Noraida Hernandez - Besos Brujos
Blanca Rosa Gil - Cielo Entero
Celia Cruz and La India - La Voz de Experencia
Bonus Episode: Lola Rodriguez de Tio and the original lyrics of 'La Borinqueña'
Did you know the author of the original lyrics of 'La Borinquena' was a woman named Lola Rodriguez de Tio? Rodriguez de Tio was a poet, abolitionist, independence activist and strong proponent for women's rights in Puerto Rico. She also wrote that now famous line, often attributed to José Martí, "Cuba y Puerto Rico son dos alas del miso pajaro" (Cuba and Puerto Rico are two wings of the same bird). Learn about her here for women's history month!
Songs:
La Borinqueña - Rafael Alers
La Borinqueña - Danny Rivera
La Estrella Sola - Andres Jimenez 'El Jibaro'