Back we go to the island of Puerto Rico for some unfamiliar Christmas music. To be honest, I'm not even sure this is all considered Christmas music. But it's clearly got Father Christmas right there on the cover, so that makes it worth a listen. It's good stuff, but it's not at all what I'm used to. If anyone can shed some light on any of these tunes, please clue us all in. Looks like
WKAQ is still an active station in San Juan, though the format doesn't appear to be the same. This is
WKAQ Radio-Feliz Navidad-No. 1 Hits De Navidad Vol. 2 (WKAQ (Puerto Rico) WKAQ-2, Stereo). The completist in me wants to find volume 1 now.
1. Willie Colón-La Murga
2. Daniel Santos-El Asopao De Pollo
3. Alfonso Velez-El Camello Que No Paso Inspeccion
4. Los Andinos-La Misma Cosa
5. Nito Mendez-A Cada Santo Una Vela
6. Alfonso Velez-La Luz
7. Los Cantores De San Juan-Si No Me Dan De Beber, Lloro
8. Feliz Del Rosario-Cascabel
9. Nito Mendez-Si Dejo De Amarte
10. La Tuna De Cayey-En Los Tiempos De Papa
MEGA
What a great record! Thanks Ernie! This is a collection of songs is a great example of Puerto Rican Christmas or Christmas adjacent tracks. The only traditional American tune is Cascabel (Jingle Bells), and what a fun version. Some others are not strictly Christmas , but have become associated with the holiday from famous records, similar to Winter Wonderland. A great example is "La Murga" : A party song describing a type of dance, and in this song, specific dance from Panama. The song is famous as one of the popular tracks of the epic Puerto Rican Christmas album, "Asalto Navideno", and also features Yomo Toro on Quattro. Heard "La Murga" last year on a American radio station's Christmas music marathon. Really wonder what's on vol 1, if volume 2 is this good! "La Misma Cosa " will be going on my next mix!
ReplyDelete-Steve in PA
Thanks for the interpretation, glad it's something you can enjoy!
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