What do you think of this artist and her work Scottish Economist?

[TheScottishEconomist]

Originally Posted by PRgirl

I think you will enjoy this videoclip of Caetano Veloso from Brazil. He sings in Portuguese and in English, his English song is entitled: "Don't Think" and try Drao and other songs. He has lots of compositions. He sings in Spanish too. He has complex percussion, rock, samba, bossa nova, so many styles. The whole thing really.

Check it out:

http://www.caetanoveloso.com.br/sec_...BR&id=5&page=1

Yes I enjoyed it very much, with English language songs you don't often here a Spanish guitar accompaniment (usually it's a steel string guitar being horribly strummed like it was meant for precussion) which has a more mellow sound.



Played with thumb correctly behind the neck.

I found the lyrics to it:

Drão

Drão o amor da gente é como um grão
Uma semente de ilusão
Tem que morrer pra germinar plantar nalgum lugar
Ressuscitar no chão nossa semeadura
Quem poderá fazer aquele amor morrer!
Nossa caminhadura
Dura caminhada pela estrada escura

Drão não pense na separação
Não despedace o coração
O verdadeiro amor é vão, estende-se, infinito
Imenso monolito, nossa arquitetura
Quem poderá fazer aquele amor morrer!
Nossa caminha dura
Cama de tatame pela vida afora

Drão os meninos são todos sãos
Os pecados são todos meus
Deus sabe a minha confissão, não há o que perdoar
Por isso mesmo é que há de haver mais compaixão
Quem poderá fazer aquele amor morrer
Se o amor é como um grão!
Morrenasce, trigo, vive morre, pão
Drão

And a translation that will probably make your hair stand on end:

Drão

Drão the love of people is as a grain
An illusion seed
It has that to die pra to germinate to plant nalgum place
To make over again in the soil our sowing
Who will be able to make that love to die!
Our caminhadura
It lasts walked for the dark road

Drão does not think about the separation
It does not tear into pieces the heart
The true love is goes, is extended, the infinite
Immense monolith, our architecture
Who will be able to make that love to die!
Ours it walks lasts
Bed of tatame for the life measures

Drão the boys are all sãos
The sins are all mine
God knows my confession, does not have what to pardon
Therefore he is that he has to have more compassion
Who will be able to make that love to die
If the love is as a grain!
Morrenasce, wheat, live die, bread
Drão


What is Caetano Veloso's English singing like? Is he more comfortable in Spanish than English? I had a listen to Don't Think, it is very much American English, but it also sounds translated.

[PRgirl]

Originally Posted by TheScottishEconomist

I think a picture speaks a thousand words:




I think those of us outside Latin America should keep music and politics apart for the time being. I am rarely impressed by a musician who talks politics (mostly because they are generally ignorant of politics), but a politician who dabbles in music?

PRgirl: The problem is that the musicians in the non-Latin American world don't get jailed, killed and imprisoned for their politics because they have no real influence over change. That is not the case in LA, the system knows what is a 'threat' and what is bullcrap. And the above politicians sure suck at music! LOL. But I agree. Please don't submit me to Tony Blair's electric guitar playing or Clinton's saxophone! HORROR! Torture of the first degree! Lol



This man never had the makings of a great American crooner.

PRgirl: forget about crooning SE. The man can barely speak English correctly and his Spanish is atrocious crap!! "Our children is learning..." and "the economy is ooching along" is only the tip of Bushisms. But he is mainly 'symbolic in many ways. Did you see that big bulky recorder sticking out of his back in the first presidential debates? His 'team' feared he might really stumble. In the end it was not about 'eloquence' and or 'leadership', it was fear of change and fear period (with a lot of 'dirty' tricks) thrown in. Blair is not much better but at least the man can speak some English properly.

[PRgirl]

Horror of the bad translation again!! Do you do this to shock me with the horror Scottish Economist??!! Your motivation being to make me scream in frustration at the screen and force me to sweat for free on translating? Do you? LOL You are indeed a scoundrel. But, I love ya anyway.

IN terms of Veloso's Spanish albums check out this CD of Latin American classics that he 're-interprets' give it a lovely Brazilian touch or twist. Lamento Borincano, Capullito de Aleli are two Puerto Rican classics that everyone knows in Latin America. I went to the smallest hamlets in Mexico and Central America and in South America and even in places with not a single bathroom for miles, but had locals who knew those two tunes by heart singing it to us as soon as they knew I was from PR. Check it out. Push the little bell sound button and you can hear it. The lines symbol tells you the arrangements and instruments used.

http://www.caetanoveloso.com.br/sec_...ge=pt_BR&id=30

[PRgirl]

Originally Posted by TheScottishEconomist

Yes I enjoyed it very much, with English language songs you don't often here a Spanish guitar accompaniment (usually it's a steel string guitar being horribly strummed like it was meant for precussion) which has a more mellow sound.



Played with thumb correctly behind the neck.

I found the lyrics to it:

Drão

Drão o amor da gente é como um grão
Uma semente de ilusão
Tem que morrer pra germinar plantar nalgum lugar
Ressuscitar no chão nossa semeadura
Quem poderá fazer aquele amor morrer!
Nossa caminhadura
Dura caminhada pela estrada escura

Drão não pense na separação
Não despedace o coração
O verdadeiro amor é vão, estende-se, infinito
Imenso monolito, nossa arquitetura
Quem poderá fazer aquele amor morrer!
Nossa caminha dura
Cama de tatame pela vida afora

Drão os meninos são todos sãos
Os pecados são todos meus
Deus sabe a minha confissão, não há o que perdoar
Por isso mesmo é que há de haver mais compaixão
Quem poderá fazer aquele amor morrer
Se o amor é como um grão!
Morrenasce, trigo, vive morre, pão
Drão

And a translation that will probably make your hair stand on end:

PRgirl: I had to erase it. It was irritating me. LOL.

What is Caetano Veloso's English singing like? Is he more comfortable in Spanish than English? I had a listen to Don't Think, it is very much American English, but it also sounds translated.

PRgirl: My best friend Laura is engaged to a Brazilian. And the city I live in has a fairly sizable ex-pat Brazilian community. I love Brazilians they are one of the most humble, warm, generous, gorgeous cultures on earth in my opinion. The social and economic problems of Brazil though are so grave and so incredibly explosive, and the poverty so deep and the gaps between the haves and the have nots so wide, that it is a nation that will have guaranteed political turmoil in the future. It is a nation with VAST natural resources, and DEEP and ABIDING cultural and artistic traditions.

Veloso's Spanish is lovely. Much more natural than his English. I finished reading his book, and if I told you what Veloso and other Brazilian composers/musicians opinions were on the English language and how it sounded to them with their preferences for Portuguese you would be quite offended. And I don't want you prejudiced against Veloso. He loves the UK's sense of humor more than anything. And I agree with him. The UK has such incredible sense of what is mirthful, ironic and silly, and witty about life. He is absolutely right about that sense of humor. It is the grandest thing. Keep it always dearest Scottish Economist.

Now, listen to his Spanish language album. He made two Fina Estampa CD's. One is live with Portuguese and Spanish mixed together. And the other is all Spanish standards from Latin America. He is a genius interpreting them in a fresh and new form. Check out "Curucucucu Paloma", it is an old standard Mexican ranchera song and he re-interprets it into something soft, sensual, so moving and BEAUTIFUL. Just by changing the arrangement and the style.

Try La Barca, (and old standard bolero reinterpreted), Fina Estampa is an old beautiful Peruvian song, reinterpreted. Fina Estampa, caballero. Caballero de fina estampa. Un lucero....Fine step, my gentleman, fine stepping gentleman, a little light...if I translate that song it will make me cry. You don't want to make me cry do you? Lol. You are merciless. I think you would just so you could understand it fully and have fun. Don't worry we have many weeks slowly and over time to have fun. And explore a lot of things. I am so glad I found you Senor Economista Escoses. I certainly am grateful. Never married? Why not? I have a feeling you aren't as open as we are about personal stuff. Not your style. You don't look like the big redheaded guy? Adam Smith eh? I read him a long time ago in SPANISH of all things. "La Riqueza de las Naciones". Required reading in my economics classes back on the island. Hmmm. I remember reading Adam Smith and then going to the University of PR cafeteria and they had a live salsa band in the dining area. I read A. Smith and then took notes on his ideas. Ate some good food, and then danced with a classmate named Eduardo. Lol.

Check out Veloso's Spanish language albums:

http://www.caetanoveloso.com.br/sec_...ge=pt_BR&id=31

There is one song I listened to from Brazil. One in which when I listen to it, I believe I want God to play it for me in Heaven. Really. It is so full of love, laughter and life. When my Papi (father heard it) for the first time (I played music for him while he was dying SE), he said, "Creo que eso es el ritmo que Dios toca cuando uno entra en la gloria." "I believe that is the rythym that God plays for you when you enter Paradise." I agreed with him. And if I had to pick a song to leave this earth hearing it would be that one. Maybe I will share it with one day, after you hear a lot of music and you send me all your favorites too darling.

Me despido por ahora, pero vuelvo el domingo. I take my leave now, but I will return on Sunday.

Beso grande. Beijo grande. Big kiss

PRgirl.

[TheScottishEconomist]

Originally Posted by PRgirl

Veloso's Spanish is lovely. Much more natural than his English. I finished reading his book, and if I told you what Veloso and other Brazilian composers/musicians opinions were on the English language and how it sounded to them with their preferences for Portuguese you would be quite offended. And I don't want you prejudiced against Veloso.

I am sure I would not take offence, however if he dislikes it so much why does he do songs in that language?

Originally Posted by PRgirl

There is one song I listened to from Brazil. One in which when I listen to it, I believe I want God to play it for me in Heaven. Really. It is so full of love, laughter and life. When my Papi (father heard it) for the first time (I played music for him while he was dying SE), he said, "Creo que eso es el ritmo que Dios toca cuando uno entra en la gloria." "I believe that is the rythym that God plays for you when you enter Paradise." I agreed with him. And if I had to pick a song to leave this earth hearing it would be that one. Maybe I will share it with one day, after you hear a lot of music and you send me all your favorites too darling.

Sounds intriguing, I had a search about for a few things that I might regard as favorites and found these:

Django Reinhardt, not an especially good representation of it, but it gives you some idea of his playing:

http://www.django.net.tc/


Joy Division, one of my favourite bands, sound quality not that great:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT8QX...joy%20division


Satie Gymnopédie played by some guy on the guitar. Not the greatest version you will ever here, it was originally written for piano, but this guy shows it can be done on guitar quite reasonably.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrjmW9UW84A&search=satie

Buenos diás

[PRgirl]

Originally Posted by TheScottishEconomist

I am sure I would not take offence, however if he dislikes it so much why does he do songs in that language?

PRgirl: It is not that he dislikes it at all. He loves Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones, The Beatles and many many English language musicians. He collaborates on musical projects with many English speaking musicians and composers such as Paul Simon, etc. But you should hear what he says about it. It is very, very interesting in a musical sense. There is a really great Television series on the history of the Americas and the culture of the Americas put out by the PBS Annenberg Project it was released a long time ago in 1993, and was given as a telecourse for college students who weren't familiar with anything outside of Canada or the USA. The series is called "Americas" and Raul Julia narrates it, and the song for the series was written by Juan Luis Guerra. The 7th episode of the series deals with Artists in Latin America. Caetano Veloso comes out in that part. So does Nick Quijano, my friend, and many people who are artists in Latin America. It is quite interesting and if you can get a hold of a copy in a library in Scotland I would be surprised. But you may have access to it. I don't know. Veloso is surprised that the English speaking artists are 'fearful' of being bold with musical variety and languages that are not English. For the power of Brazilian music has been its fearless eclecticism. It 'digests' it all. Rock, classical, Samba, Rumbas, Boleros, Fados, Andean music from the Indians of South America, the African rythyms of the Candomble and so much more. It takes it all into its 'musical' belly and comes up with enormous creativity and variety. He doesn't fear foreigness in music. But he is a musician and composer as well SE. And I can say speaking English well, that English doesn't have the soft prettiness of singing in Spanish or Portuguese. It just doesn't. It is different. It comes from German (English does), and German in my opinion is not the prettiest language to the human ear. It just is not. The beauty of English speaking music has been its fusions with Africa and Asia, and the opening up with the rest of the world and coming up with its own fresh interpretation of musicality. But recently it has become very 'conformist' and you see it in the lack of real vibrant originality that is the hallmark of great music in any language. Too much canned stuff without a sense of adventure.



Sounds intriguing, I had a search about for a few things that I might regard as favorites and found these:

Django Reinhardt, not an especially good representation of it, but it gives you some idea of his playing:

http://www.django.net.tc/

PRgirl: Hmm, I just knew there was a reason why I liked you so much. And you putting Django Reinhardt in as a favorite is PROOF, that you have excellent taste. My husband LOVES him. The man is a musical genius and endlessly creative and absolutely beautiful to listen to. Yes, SE you have excellent taste in music if you love Django Reinhardt.


Joy Division, one of my favourite bands, sound quality not that great:

PRgirl: It sounds like 'meditation' rock and roll to me. Very interesting. And they are young. Never heard of them before, but they are talented. I agree with you there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT8QX...joy%20division


Satie Gymnopédie played by some guy on the guitar. Not the greatest version you will ever here, it was originally written for piano, but this guy shows it can be done on guitar quite reasonably.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrjmW9UW84A&search=satie

PRgirl: Absolutely lovely SE. My husband plays that piece on the piano. You like pieces that are imaginative SE. You do.

Buenos diás

Well for me it is buenas tardes. Time zone differences. Django as a favorite means you love music Scottish Economist. Hmmm, now I have some hope of making you dance a lot in the future. Lol. Yes, you will dance and have fun someday. I predict it. I see you rumbando as we speak. So you're not a redhead? Are you a blonde? Or have brown hair? Hmmm. You say you are not quite forty years old---there is no excuse not to dance and have fun. Nope, my hopes for your dancing in the future is not completely dead. Lots of greetings to you sweet man.

Simpatico eres, aunque serio te crees.

PRgirl

[TheScottishEconomist]

Originally Posted by PRgirl

There is a really great Television series on the history of the Americas and the culture of the Americas put out by the PBS Annenberg Project it was released a long time ago in 1993, and was given as a telecourse for college students who weren't familiar with anything outside of Canada or the USA. The series is called "Americas" and Raul Julia narrates it, and the song for the series was written by Juan Luis Guerra. The 7th episode of the series deals with Artists in Latin America. Caetano Veloso comes out in that part. So does Nick Quijano, my friend, and many people who are artists in Latin America. It is quite interesting and if you can get a hold of a copy in a library in Scotland I would be surprised. But you may have access to it. I don't know.

Libraries here are pretty bad, therefore there is little chance I could get hold of it. But I think I get the jist of it.

Originally Posted by PRgirl

And I can say speaking English well, that English doesn't have the soft prettiness of singing in Spanish or Portuguese. It just doesn't. It is different. It comes from German (English does), and German in my opinion is not the prettiest language to the human ear. It just is not.

Very true, though I think English a bit prettier than German. Reminds me of something a lady of my acquaintance once told me about Dante in English, she thought the language too clumsy for it ever to be suitable for a good English translation. However James Joyce thought that for poetry Italian overused its vowels sounds, and he regarded English as a superior poetic language.

Originally Posted by PRgirl

PRgirl: Hmm, I just knew there was a reason why I liked you so much. And you putting Django Reinhardt in as a favorite is PROOF, that you have excellent taste. My husband LOVES him. The man is a musical genius and endlessly creative and absolutely beautiful to listen to. Yes, SE you have excellent taste in music if you love Django Reinhardt.

I absolute love Django Reinhardt’s music, and if I were to choose a favourite musician it would probably be him. Have you ever heard Andres Segovia?:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH0GJ...search=Segovia

He is not as good as Django! Actually for all his undoubted brilliance I find his playing a bit to formal and ‘classical’ (in the sense that he chooses restraint and balance in his playing). Perhaps not what you would expect from a Spaniard? That piece in the above link, I once heard it played by a Spaniard who played the chording much more like a flamenco player, and although Asturias was originally written as a piano piece, that to me sounded like how it should be played. There is a frequently told story about Segovia hearing Django and being dazzled by his playing, and when Segovia enquired about what piece he was playing he told him it was merely an improvisation. I never found the story that convincing. But even Julian Bream and John Williams regard Django as musics all time greatest guitar player ahead of Segovia.

Originally Posted by PRgirl

PRgirl: It sounds like 'meditation' rock and roll to me. Very interesting. And they are young. Never heard of them before, but they are talented. I agree with you there.

I am puzzled, what is meditation rock? They were very talented, they are sadly no more, they only made two albums, but what great albums! Three of the four became New Order, not a bad band, they are still on the go, but they have never matched their Joy Division work.

Here is another group I like, some Germans singing in a language less ugly than their own:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qfc_j...arch=kraftwerk

And one final thing, not a favourite, it is something a came across by chance, an example of Gaelic psalm singing.

Originally Posted by PRgirl

So you're not a redhead? Are you a blonde? Or have brown hair? Hmmm. You say you are not quite forty years old---there is no excuse not to dance and have fun.

I have brown hair, very light brown, golden brown I suppose you would call it. No redheads in my family, thankfully. I am nearer thirty then forty, so even less excuse to avoid dancing. However I don’t think dancing will ever be my thing. The dancing uncle memories haunt me too much.

Buenos diás/ Buenos tardes