Spanish Music
Contents: |
Favorite songs and videos | Some Artists |
FAVORITE SONGS AND VIDEOS
☼ Caminante (Juan Manual Serrat and Joaquín Sabina) A classic, based on a poem by Antonio Machado, sung in concert by two of the greats.
☼ Cumbia de los aburridos (Calle 13) This video is great because it´s just kind of crazy!
☼ Qué bonita es esta vida (Jorge Celedón) Beautiful song, beautiful video with scenes from Colombia.
☼ La vida es un carnaval (Celia Cruz, ¨La reina de la salsa¨)
☼ La Bilirrubina (Juan Luis Guerra) This is a great dance tune by a great Dominican singer, and I also love the clever lyrics.
☼ Havana (Camila Cabello) This song is in English; however, I love it and this video: the song and video are woman-centered, it´s definitely a Latin style and the video has a telenovela background! Hopefully Camila will soon record an album in Spanish.
☼ Ríe, llora (Celia Cruz) I love everything Celia has done, and this is one of my favourites!
SOME ARTISTS
This is an alphabetized list of some well-known Hispanic musical artists in a variety of genres, from flamenco to reguetón. This is just to help you dip a toe in the vast sea of talent!
☼ Marc Anthony (Marco Antonio Muñiz). Puerto Rico. Born 1968. Singer-songwriter and actor. Genres: salsa, latin pop. Has recorded 10 or 12 albums and won 4 Latin Grammys. Good albums: Contra la corriente, Valió la pena, Amar sin mentiras, Todo a su tiempo, Sigo siendo yo (greatest hits).
Website: http://www.marcanthonyonline.com/
Video (Valió la pena): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ns9YYSqLxyI
☼ Ricardo Arjona (Edga Arjona Morales). Guatemala. Born 1964. Singer-songwriter. Genres: latin pop. One of the most successful Latin American artists of all time, with more than 40 million albums sold. Good albums: Animal nocturno, Santo pecado, Adentro, Quinto piso, Viaje
Website: http://ricardoarjona.com/
Video (Fuiste tú): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9cCPQVPv8o
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Rubén Blades (Rubén Blades Bellido de Luna). Panamá. Singer-songwriter, actor, lawyer, politician. Genres: salsa, jazz, pop) Born 1948. Has recorded many albums in different styles, and won several Grammys. Best albums: Siembra (with Willie Colón), Escenas, Antecedente, Mundo.
Website: http://www.rubenblades.com/
Video (Pedro Navaja): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcRSU5o474E
☼ Café Tacuba. México. Group formed in 1989. Genre: rock. Have recorded 10 albums, and won a Grammy. Good albums: Revés/Yo Soy (1999); Tiempo Transcurrido (best of) (2001).
Website: http://www.cafetacuba.com.mx/
Video (Chilanga Banda): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKjn26agAEs
☼ Calle 13. Puerto Rico. An unconventional group with an ¨urban¨style. Some lyrics involve social commentary. They have won 21 Latin Grammy Awards.
Video (La Girafa): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cJ4d5uU2i8
☼ Chayanne (Elmer Figueroa Arce). Puerto Rico. Born 1968. Singer. Genre: latin pop. Good albums: Chayanne, Tiempo de Vals, Atado a tu amor, Mi tiempo.
Website: http://www.chayanne.net/
Video (Y tú te vas): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODsqyfI5R28
☼ Willie Colón (William Anthony Colón). Puerto Rico/New York. Born 1950. Singer-songwriter, trumpet player; political activist. Genre: salsa. Has recorded 40 albums. Good albums: Siembra
Website: http://www.williecolon.com/
Video (Oh qué será): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zSd0IBRGT4
☼ Celia Cruz (Úrsula Hilaria Celia Caridad Cruz Alfonso) Cuba/Miami. 1925-2003. Singer. Genres: salsa, rumba, guachera, mambo, cha cha cha. Known as ¨La Reina de la Salsa¨. Recorded many albums and won several Grammys. Good albums: Ritmo en el Corazón, La Negra Tiene Tumbao, Regalo del Alma, Siempre Viviré.
Video (Quimbara): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxRWQHCSmUg
☼ Gloria Estefan (Gloria María Milagrosa Fajardo García) Cuba/Miami. Born 1957. Singer. Genres: latin pop, salsa. Well known; recorded many albums in English with Miami Sound Machine; however now records mostly in Spanish. Has won 5 Grammys. Good Spanish albums: Alma Caribeña, Mi Tierra, Oye Mi Canto: Los Grandes Éxitos, 90 Millas.
Website (includes video of ¨No llores¨ from 90 Millas: http://www.gloriaestefan.com/
Video (Mi tierra): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWAWQmhqWGo
☼ Alejandro Fernández (Alejandro Fernández Abarca) México. Born 1971. Singer. Genres: bolero, latin pop, mexican pop, mariachi, ranchera. Well known; nickedname as ¨El Potrillo¨, has been awarded two Latin Grammy Awards and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Video (Nube viajera): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTPVeup5UFk
☼ Vicente Fernández (Vicente Fernández Gómez) México. Born 1940. Singer and actor. Genres: ranchera, bolero. Well known; Nicknamed "El Rey de la Música Ranchera", has recorded more than 50 albums and contributed to more than 30 films. Has won 3 Grammys and 8 Latin Grammys.
Website: http://vicentefernandez.mx/en/biography/
Video (Acá entre nos): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkIstlkAxdw
☼ Ibrahim Ferrer. Cuba. 1927-2005. Singer. Genres: son, guachera, bolero. Sang with Los Bocucos in his youth. Was rediscovered by Ry Cooder in 1996; recorded several albums with other Cuban musicians, as well as solo, and did some international concerts. Some albums: Buena Vista Social Club Presents: Ibrahim Ferrer; Tierra Caliente: Ibrahim Ferrer con Los Bocucos.
Video (Dos gardenias): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4ZqO5Zq9QY
☼ Chava Flores. (Salvador Flores Rivera). México. 1920-1987. Singer-songwriter. Genre: música folclórica.
Video (La interesada): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QntZYOnhOy8
☼ Luis Fonsi. (Luis Alfonso Rodríguez López-Cepero). Puerto Rico. Born 1978. Singer-songwriter. Genre: latin pop, reggaeton.
Video (Yo no me doy por vencido): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hRGBcr_gJc
☼ Rubén González, Cuba, 1919-2003. Pianist. Genres: son, bolero, guachera. Played with a number of Cuban groups, but became internationally known after being ¨discovered¨ by Ry Cooder. Played piano on Buena Vista Social Club (1996), and recorded two solo albums: Introducing...Rubén González; Chanchullo.
Video (solo in Buena Vista Social Club): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmm_XUiWXtE
☼ Juan Luis Guerra y 4.40 La República Dominicana. Born 1957. Singer and backing group. Genres: merengue, bachata, bolero. Has recorded several albums and won several Grammys. Good albums: Ojalá que llueva café; Bachata Rosa; No es lo mismo ni es igual; La llave de mi corazón.
Website: http://www.guavaberry.net/
Video (Estrellitas y duendes): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZvNceQHX8k
☼ José Alfredo Jiménez México. 1926 - 1973. Singer-songwriter. Genres: ranchera, mariachi. songs are consider an integral part of mexican culture. Composed over 1,000 songs.
Video (Caminos de Guanajuato): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_iWQ7ol1QM
☼ Gipsy Kings. Francia/España. Genres: rumba, pop flamenco. The group is made up of two families of cousins from France, but of Spanish background. Internationally known and have recorded many popular albums. Good albums: Mosaique (1989), Alegría (1990), Este mundo (1991), Love and Liberté (1993); Tierra Gitana (1996), Cantos de amor (1998); Volaré: The Very Best of the Gipsy Kings (2000).
Website (includes 9 min. documentary): http://www.gipsykings.com/
Video (Bamboleo): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qbEt_lSib4
☼ Enrique Iglesias (Enrique Miguel Iglesias Preysler). España. Born 1975. Singer. Genre: Latin pop. Son of famous Spanish singer Julio Iglesias. Has sold 40 million albums (English and Spanish). Has won many music awards. Spanish albums: Enrique Iglesias (1995); Vivir (1997); Cosas del amor (1998).
Website: http://enriqueiglesias.com/
Video (Dímelo): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RagiA5Grh5s
☼ Inti-Illimani. Chile. Genres: nueva canción, Andean music, protest music. Group formed in 1967; split into two groups in 2005. Lived in exile in Italy during the dictatorship of Agusto Pinochet. Have recorded 48 albums.
Website: http://www.intiillimani.org/
Video (La partida): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2Z6jtNtGME
☼ Ivy Queen (Martha Ivelisse Pesante). Puerto Rico/New York. Born 1972. Singer, song-writer. Genre: reguetón. Has recorded 7 albums, including a ¨Best of¨. Good albums: Flashback (2005); Sentimiento (2007).
Video (Que lloren): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxM799HX4Z8
☼ Juanes (Juan Esteban Aristizábal Vásquez) Colombia. Born 1972. Singer-songwriter, guitarist. Genres: Latin rock, pop. Has won many Latin Grammys. Good albums: Fíjate bien (2000); Un día normal (2002); Mi sangre (2004).
Website: http://www.juanesweb.com/
Video (Fíjate bien): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzrWvuGhFSc
☼ Tania Libertad (de Souza Zúñiga). Perú. Born 1952. Singer. Genres: bolero, nueva trova, salsa, canción de protesta, ranchera. Has recorded over 30 albums. Good albums: 20 de Colección (1996); Sabor Latino (2203); Negro Color (2004); Divas Rancheras (2006).
Video (Razón de vivir): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyFgyeNAUVU
☼ Paco de Lucía (Francisco Sánchez Gómez). España. Born 1947. Composer and guitarist. Genres: Traditional and modern flamenco. Has recorded 26 albums; I can't express an opinion as to which are the best, because I only know his early traditional work.
Video (Entre dos aguas): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oyhlad64-s
☼ Maná. México. Group formed in 1980. Genres: Rock, Latin pop. Have recorded 4 albums; have collaborated with Carlos Santana and Juan Luis Guerra on other albums. Have won 3 Grammys and 5 Latin Grammys. Good albums: Sueños líquidos (1997); Revolución de amor (2002); Amar es combatir (2006).
Website: http://www.mana.com.mx/
Video (Labios compartidos): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhSDioeYVNk
☼ Ricky Martin (Enrique José Martín Morales). Puerto Rico. Born 1971. Singer. Genre: Latin pop. Has recorded 10 albums, in Spanish and in English. Good Spanish albums: Vuelve (1998); La Historia (2001); Almas del Silencio (2003).
Website (includes songs and videos, but mostly English): http://www.rickymartinmusic.com/
Video (Tu recuerdo): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tn5b4-VbULs
☼ Pablo Milanés (Arias). Cuba. Born 1943. Singer, guitarist. Genre: Nueva Trova Cubana. Has recorded about 60 albums, though several are live concerts, and quite a few are compilation albums. He had some years of very fruitful collaboration with Silvio Rodríguez. Beautiful singing and poetic lyrics. A few albums are musical interpretations of Cuban poets, José Martí and Nicolás Guillén among them. It's hard to choose best albums from so many, but some very good ones are: La vida no vale nada (1993); Amo esta isla (1995); No me pidas (1997).
Website: http://www.milanespablo.com/
Video (Yolanda): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sct0-7rs2zY
☼ Beny Moré (Bartolomé Moré). Cuba. 1919-1963. Singer, band leader. Genres: son, mambo, bolero. Sang and recorded in Mexico and Cuba, with Conjunto Matamoros and Pérez Prado before forming his own big band in 1952. YouTube has a few old recordings of him and his band, as well as people talking about him. Good albums: El Barbero del Ritmo: 1948-1950; La Colección Cubana: Beny Moré (1998).
Video (Batanga No. 2): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAXw3ZZFYU0
☼ Amparo Ochoa (María Amparo Ochoa Castaños). México.1946-1994. Singer. Genres: música folclórica, boleros. Recorded over 20 albums. Some good ones: Cancionero popular mexicano Vol. 1(1980), Vol. 2 (1986); Tengo que hablarle (1987); Vamos Juntos (1986).
Video (Para amar en tiempos de guerra): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4mJtwWFuKI
☼ Paquita La del Barrio (México: ranchera)
Video (Rata de dos patas): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9obV__MFMaY
☼ Ástor (Pantaleón) Piazolla. Argentina. 1921-1992. Renowned tango composer, bandoneón player, orchestra director. Genre: nuevo tango. Recorded about 30 albums.
Website: http://www.piazzolla.org/
Video (Milonga del ángel): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbAygn5SY7w
☼ Pérez Prado (Dámaso Pérez Prado) Cuba. Born 1916. Singer, pianist, composer/ arranger and band leader. Known as ¨El Rey del Mambo¨. Became hugely popular in the 1950s with his style of mambo. Recorded many albums all over the world.
Video (piano solo in unidentified mambo): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jr-Nkfeeues
☼ Tito Puente (Ernesto Antonio Puente Jr.). New York (Puerto Rican parents) 1923-2000. Band leader, composer, arranger and percussionist. Genres: mambo and other Latin dance music, Latin jazz. Known as the King of Latin music. Recorded about 80 albums.
Video (El cumbanchero): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6fhsmVyNaw
☼ Silvio Rodríguez (Domínguez). Cuba. Born 1946. Singer, guitarist. One of the leaders of the nueva trova cubana movement. Known for the poetry of his lyrics. Has recorded 16 studio albums; all are good. Some of the best: Unicornio (1982); Tríptico (1984); Causas y azares (1986); En Chile (1991); Silvio (1992); Mariposas (1999).
Video (La masa): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mA7uyivl6E
☼ Alejandro Sanz (Alejandro Sánchez Pizarro) España. Born 1968. Singer. Genres: pop, ballads. Has won 14 Latin Grammys. Good albums: No es lo mismo (2002); El tren de los momentos (2006).
Website: http://www.alejandrosanz.com/
Video (Enséñame tus manos): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGjUuFTsHo8
☼ Llasa de Sela. Canadá. Born 1972. Singer, songwriter. Has recorded one album in Spanish: La llorona (1998) and won several awards.
Video (De cara a la pared): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGNk_zHy4Mg
☼ Joan Manuel Serrat. España (Barcelona). Born 1943. Singer, song-writer in Catalán and in Spanish. Known for the poetry of his lyrics, and for creating musical interpretations of the poetry of such poets as Rafael Alberti, Antonio Machado, Miguel Hernández, Ernesto Cardenal, and Mario Benedetti. Has recorded about 50 albums.
Video (Nanas de la cebolla): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eed6g_9H6NQ
☼ Shakira (Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll). Colombia. Born 1977. Singer, song-writer, belly-dancer. Genre: Latin pop. Has won 2 Grammy and 8 Latin Grammys. Good albums: Pies descalzos; ¿Dónde están los ladrones? (1998); Fijación oral Vol. 1 (2005).
Website: http://www.shakira.com/
Video (Te aviso, te anuncio): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOJF9QeVHZY
☼ La Sonora Matancera. Cuba. Big band most popular in the 1930s to 1950s. Celia Cruz sang with them from 1950-1965. Cuban dance music: rumba, bolero, mambo.
Video (Mala mujer): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziLt5K_7VFw
☼ Mercedes Sosa. Argentina. Born 1935. Singer. Genre: Nueva canción. World-renowned interpreter of Latin American song-writers. Lived in exile in Paris and Madrid for several years of the military junta in Argentina. Has recorded many albums, including some great live albums and compilations.
Website: http://www.mercedessosa.com.ar/
Video (Gracias a la vida): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyOJ-A5iv5I
☼ Los Tigres del Norte. México/Estados Unidos. Group formed in the 1960s. Genre: norteño (band with accordion and guitar; style of border region of México and Texas). Have recorded about 40 albums and won several Grammys. Good albums: Gracias América—Sin Fronteras (1986); Directo al Corazón (2005); Historia que Contar (2006); Detalles y Emociones (2007).
Website (includes a lot of music/video): http://www.lostigresdelnorte.com/
Video (La Reina del Sur): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ng-eYklcmEM
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Los Van Van. Cuba. Group formed in 1969. Genres: songo, timba (like salsa). Good albums: Llegó Van Van (1999); Chapeando (2006).
Website: http://www.vanvandeformell.com/index.php
Video (Agua): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DviErId9G_k
☼ Carlos Vives (Carlos Alberto Vives Restrepo) Colombia. Born 1961. Singer, song-writer, actor. Genres: vallenato (traditional Colombian music with accordeon), Latin pop, rock. Has recorded about 15 albums, and won several Latin Grammys. Good albums: Clásicos de la provincia (1994/2000); El Amor de mi Tierra (1999); La Tierra del Olvido (2000); El Rock de mi Pueblo (2004).
Website: http://www.carlosvives.com/
Video (La gota fría): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nmb80HXWsFQ