Comments on: Contest: Hot Peas & Butter CD Giveaway

By: kelli

kelli — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 04:32:18 +0000

The güiro is a percussion instrument consisting of an open-ended, hollow gourd with parallel notches cut in one side. It is played by rubbing a wooden stick (”pua”) along the notches to produce a ratchet-like sound. The güiro is commonly used in Latin-American music, and plays a key role in the typical cumbia rhythm section.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 01:30:44 +0000

merengue is readily recognized as the national dance of the Dominican Republic.
Strangers and older couples tend to keep a respectable distance from each other, while more intimate couples break the barriers of personal space and entwine their bodies. Whatever age the contagious beat causes the adrenaline to rise and you can imagine yourself dancing bare foot to the pulse of a Caribbean sunset.

By: LooneyJen

LooneyJen — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 22:18:57 +0000

Not just plain ole shakers: .

Often one maraca is pitched high and the other is pitched low. Some have thought the instrument of prehistoric Moroccan origin.

Pretty cool!

By: Robin

Robin — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:56:49 +0000

I once dated a guy who’s father was a singer murdered under Pinochet. Chilean music has fascinated me ever since.

“La Nueva Canción” also known as the “New Song Movement” or “Trova” is a type of protest/social song. Its lyrics characteristically talk about poverty, empowerment, the Unidad Popular, imperialism, democracy, human rights, and religion. The most important source for nueva canción, is Chilean cueca, a rural song-form.

By: Dor

Dor — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:55:48 +0000

The adufe is a traditional square tambourine of Moorish origin, which is used in Portugal. Who knew?

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:49:10 +0000

The song “Quizás, Quizás, Quizás” written by Cuban songwriter Osvaldo Farrés in 1947 has been covered at least 19 times. My favorite is the 1997 version “Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps” by Cake. Though the Nat King Cole cover is pretty darn good too. :)

By: Sandy W.

Sandy W. — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:45:33 +0000

In September 1947, Dizzy Gillespie collaborated with Machito conga player Chano Pozo to perform the “Afro-Cuban Drums Suite” at Carnegie Hall. This was the first concert to feature an American band playing Afro-Cuban jazz and Pozo remained in Gillespie’s orchestra to produce “Cubana Be, Cubana Bop” among others.

Musical Style: Latin Jazz,
Country: countries of Latin descent (Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Romania, and countries of its influence)

By: Valerie

Valerie — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:56:23 +0000

Batuque is popular in Cape Verde. Originally a woman’s folk music, batuque is an improvised music with strong satirical or critical lyrics.

By: Summer

Summer — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:50:23 +0000

This one if for the percussionists out there…
If you listen to many Latin and Spanish music, you’ll notice a common drum riff. The drummed pattern is the same as if you say this phrase “Love your mom in her new black nightie.” (How I learned to play the riff!)

This can especially be heard on some of Santana’s songs.

By: Amber

Amber — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:32:22 +0000

Bossa nova is a style of Brazilian music. The musical style evolved from samba but is more complex harmonically and less percussive. Additionally, Bossa Nova emerged primarily from the upscale beachside neighborhoods of Rio De Janeiro vs. Samba’s origins in favelas of Rio.