Mountain Music of Puerto Rico

by Ecos de Borinquen

Overview

Back in the 1950s, it seemed as if the rural music of Puerto Rico might die out, replaced by international pop -- the fate of so much folk music globally. However, during the 1960s, the government actively promoted folk and craft traditions, which saved the music. In the mountains, the music has remained largely unchanged, with new generations playing it. Ecos de Borinquen have been playing these varying styles since 1978. There's a topical lightness to the singing and playing, and although the compositions are all original, as opposed to traditional, there's a rich authenticity to the playing and the rhythms behind everything from these trovadores. The music comprises mostly seis and aguinaldos, which have always been the core of the rural repertoire. Excellently played, infectious, and surprisingly untainted by the modern, while still sounding contemporary (a fine paradox!), this makes for an excellent look at a great tradition. ~ Chris Nickson

Product Details

Release Date:	08/26/2003
Label:	Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
UPC:	0093074050620
Rank:	61312

Tracks

1. A Mi Dulce Amada (To My Sweet Beloved)
2. La Herencia de Mi Papa (The Heritage of My Father)
3. J¿¿bara Hasta el Hueso (J¿¿baro to the Bone)
4. Somos los Puertorrique¿¿os (We Are the Puerto Ricans)
5. Dulce Sue¿¿o M¿¿o (Sweet Dream of Mine)
6. Margarita
7. Y Amo la Libertad (And I Love Freedom)
8. La Loma del Tamarindo (The Tamarind Hill)
9. En Mi Estroda Decimal (In My Ten-Line Strophes)
10. Trova Con Sabor (Verses With Flavor)
11. Mi Plena Felicidad (My Complete Happiness)
12. Marumba a Guadiana (Marumba for Guadiana)
13. Los Gallos Cantaron (The Roosters Sang)
14. En un Eterno Poema (In an Eternal Poem)
15. Mar¿¿a Leticia
16. Di¿¿logo (Dialogue)

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Karol Auroa DeJesus Reyes   Vocals
Luis Lopez   Guiro
Miguel Santos Diaz   Director
Pedro J. Gonzalez   Guitar
Jose Juan Delgado Serrano   Cuatro
Jose Arnaldo Martinez Zayas   Cuatro

Technical Credits

Marisol Berrios Miranda   Translation
Charlie Pilzer   Mastering
Pete Reiniger   Mixing,Engineer,Photography
Dan Sheehy   Producer,Annotation,Cover Photo,Liner Notes,Photography,Production Supervisor
D.A. Sonneborn   Production Supervisor
Margot Nassau   Production Coordination
Jacob Love   Editorial Assistant
Mary Monseur   Production Coordination
Hector Vega Druet   Producer