Guantanamera

YOUR LINK HERE:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=_wuGRboNpwI

“Guantanamera” … a new solo piano arrangement of the great Cuban ballad from the 1920s. • This song has been used in so many ways: as love song, as a celebration of success, to cement the unity between Americans and Cubans, as part of the peace movement of the 1960s, as a reminder of those held against their will, as part of the various eco movements around the world, as a chant at soccer matches, in dramatic productions, in comedic productions, etc. – often with its verses slightly modified. • As old as the original song is, even today it is number 2 worldwide in digital music purchases and consistently charts high in countries around the world. This is not surprising given the powerhouse of artists who have performed and/or modified this song. From tremendous performances by the likes of the great Cuban singer Celia Cruz to the English translations/performances by Pete Seeger to The Sandpipers’ version to the version by Wyclef Jean to the rap version by Lauryn Hill. • The list of artists who have enjoyed great success with this song is amazing: Bárbara y Dick (who took the song to no. 1 in Argentina), Demis Roussos, Willy Chirino, Julio Iglesias, Joan Baez, Albita, Jimmy Buffett, Bobby Darin, Raul Malo, Joe Dassin, Muslim Magomayev, José Feliciano, Tony Mottola, Biser Kirov, Puerto Plata, Trini Lopez, La Lupe, Nana Mouskouri, Tito Puente, Raulín Rodríguez, Andy Russell, Gloria Estefan, Phil Manzanera, Robert Wyatt, Zucchero Fornaciari, Ansuman Roy, and by such groups as The Mavericks, Inti-Illimani, Buena Vista Social Club, Los Lobos, Pozo-Seco Singers, Todos Tus Muertos, and The Spinners. • In Cuba it is considered a very patriotic song, and yet its origins are a bit cloudy: • Its lyrics are basically taken from several poems by the great Cuban intellectual and poet, José Martí. Marti was central to eventually securing Cuba’s independence from Spain and is a great hero of the Cuban people. His poetry gives great power to the lyrics – which on first reading might seem to be those of a love song about a peasant woman from Guantánamo. However, as you listen to or read the lyrics, the imagery they bring extends beyond a simple love song and hence the song’s use in so many ways around the world. • However, the music is where the cloudiness is: • While attributed to the Cuban singer/songwriter Joseíto Fernández (who is also believed to have adapted Marti’s poems into the lyrics), there was a claim that the song’s structure came from a song by Garcia Wilson. His heirs fought out that claim in the People’s Supreme Court of Cuba. They eventually lost their claim in 1993, making Fernández the song’s sole credited composer. • No matter its origins, this song is universally known throughout the world and has become an anthem for many – often getting people up and dancing to its Cuban rhythm, particularly in Latin American countries. • Given that Earth Day was this past week, it seems a perfect choice of music to celebrate the beauty of our planet and the need to look after our planet … • • MUSIC INSIGHTS: • The music has a very simple structure. Essentially it revolves around 3 chords (I, IV and V7) repeated in the same set pattern throughout the song – both verse and chorus. It also has a repeated structure to its melody – a measure of slightly syncopated melody followed by a sustained note followed by a few short notes leading to the next measure of slightly syncopated melody, etc. The range of the melody is relatively narrow which makes it easy for people to sing – no matter what their level of singing is. • In my arrangement, I improvise a bit around the melody and keep a simple accompaniment that brings in the Cuban beat. I do extend the range of the melody as I am not constrained by a vocalist. • • VIDEO INSIGHTS: • Given the importance of Earth Day this past week, I decided to accompany the music with scenes from National Parks around the world that show some of the beauty we must learn to protect and extend around our planet. Of course, I also included Marti’s white rose … • • Please do indicate if you like the music and/or music video – it would encourage me to release other new works. Also, please do subscribe to this channel so that you get announcements of all future releases. • • “Guantanamera” was arranged, performed, and recorded in mid-April 2024 using Ableton Live with final instrument voices from sample libraries of Spitfire Audio and Native Instruments. The post processing and master mix was done with iZotope Ozone 9. • • At some time in the future, it will be released for streaming. • • Be sure to subscribe here and follow-on social media or signup for the weekly newsletter through the Solo Hands website (if you sign up for our newsletter, you will also receive our free eBook, Musical Notes – Composing Arranging): • http://www.solohands.com • Facebook: @SoloHandsMusic • Instagram: @SoloHandsMusic

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