Chan Chan

Have also loved this one, also, by every singer who's recorded it. Buena Vista Social Club does it so well:

Hasta Siempre
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=po09lcDxXIA&NR=1
http://encontrarte.aporrea.org.nyud.net:8090/imagenes/25/Ibraim.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com.nyud.net:8090/_ZvnwXx2A47Q/Sd_hgcibevI/AAAAAAAAAbU/OKSbp1E3zRQ/s320/compay+segundo.jpg

http://www.beilharz.com.nyud.net:8090/qs/qs-buena-omara.jpg http://img.maniadb.com.nyud.net:8090/images/album/161/161699_1_f.jpg

Ibrahim Ferrer Compay Segundo Omara Portuondo Eliades Ochoa

Had not heard BV Social Club music for a while.

We should do this more often, after all, LatAm is not all politics and gloom and doom disasters.

Ever heard the Paraguayan harp? It is quite famous in Latin America and Europe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFTZ1KFZbiE&feature=related

The tune is one of Paraguay's most known musical works; "Memories of Ypacarai" (EE PA KAH RAH EE, say it fast)

From Wiki


Lake Ypacarai

Ypacaraí is a town in the Central Department of Paraguay on Lake Ypacarai. On the road system, it is located between Asunción and Caacupé. In 2004, the village had a population of 30,150, and is 64.1 m above sea level. Notable agricultural crops of the area include tobacco and cotton. Lake Ypacaraí is popular with tourists and locals in the landlocked nation of Paraguay.

Footballer Carlos Gamarra is from Ypacaraí.

According to a legend, a man (referred to as Karai-the Spanish equivalent of Señor) walked into a despensa (neighborhood-run mini market sometimes operated in the front room of a house) and asked for water (Y in Guaraní). The pa suffix in guaraní suggests that it is a question. So, put together the phrase Ypakarai means "Water sir?" Supposedly the question posed by the despensa owner was somewhat rude.

Another meaning of the city name is from the two words, "ypa" meaning lake and "karai" meaning Lord or blessed. Thus we have the Lord's Lake or Blessed Lake.

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End of South American cultural class for today. :-)

Edit -- Okay since you liked it, here is an encore.

"Pájaro Campana" The Bell Bird -- yes, there is a bird in Paraguay that sort of sounds like a bell. (This tune is more "harpy."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8hMvQY-L5A&feature=related