Hello friends, good vibes to all.
Taking advantage of the fact that the last month of the year has arrived and that in these lands that means that practically the 31 days that make it up is to listen to bagpipes almost everywhere, I decided to talk a little about this rhythm and deconstruct some of the most iconic songs that are part of this tradition. As a faithful music lover it is clear that the bagpipes for me are essential and indispensable for its characteristic rhythm but above all for the joy that comes from it.
I am not here to talk about the history of the gaita, but to put it in context for those who have no idea about this style, the gaita originated in the western region of Venezuela, more specifically in the state of Zulia as a protest song. This state has large oil reserves but for various reasons that are not relevant it has almost never been benefited by it and for that reason the musicians of that area one day raised their voices and from there the gaita was born. An incredibly short story but basically that's what happened, so without further ado let's get to what we came for.
- Medley #1 - Free Cover and Betulio Medina.
One of the great exponents of the gaita is undoubtedly Betulio Medina, there are several but he is easily in the top 3 of the most relevant; and the guys from Free Cover are a group of musicians whose quality truly transcends screens and borders. I choose this video for several reasons: to show you what is probably the best mix of gaitas, to familiarize yourself with the sound and to deconstruct a little of what we see here.
The gaita is characterized by a couple of instruments: the cuatro, charrasca and tambora; but in this video we see the addition of others that undoubtedly are the differentiating elements: the mandolin and the brass section (saxophones, trumpets and trombone). Usually the gaita does not have winds but when we hear how incredible they sound here we wonder how that is possible and the mandolin as accompaniment is another level as well.
The songs you hear are perhaps the most played and the arrangements in them are of great quality; the bass and the sound of the drums are spectacular. But I repeat, the brass section is what makes this medley something else and deserves to be listened to and danced to by everyone. While it is true that Don Betulio's voice is not the same as it was a couple of years ago, he is still capable of reaching certain high tones and that, my friends, is another of the great signatures.
- Medley #2 - Free Cover and Neguito Borjas.
We land with the second medley and we do it with another of the great exponents: Neguito Borjas, also in the top 3. This video is very different from the previous one as you may have noticed and it is obviously because there is no brass and here we see and hear a much more "original" and "original" gaita sound than the previous one. It is a sound that is composed almost entirely of percussion, tambora, drums, timbal, maracas and charrasca which is what would be the main base of this music.
But as always there is also that differentiating element and in this case it is the choirs. The choirs are an important part of the bagpipes as they are usually groups of at least 15 musicians of which at least 5 are choirs or accompanists so yes, it is part of the blood of the bagpipes. In this Free Cover we see how these voices rise and become high-pitched making the sound much more particular (for example from minute 5).
Charrasca and tamboras is what predominates and stands out here and it is something that seems incredible to me because if those two only sounded, I assure you that we would know that what they are playing is gaita; that is how unique the Venezuelan gaita is, it has a very peculiar sound.
- Medley #3 - Free Cover and Ricardo Cepeda.
Ricardo Cepeda makes up the top 3 of gaita singers and he is the only one with whom I will say that his voice should be proclaimed cultural heritage because for fans he is one of the pillars of this genre. In this third video we see a much more "heartfelt", calm and quiet gaita than the previous ones and that is another of the great characteristics of this style.
At the beginning I told you that the gaita sings to protests and social discontent, but it also sings from and for love, affection and friendship, and this medley is proof of that. These are songs that don't need the explosiveness of the first video because they are more for listening than for dancing, so the voices and the little details will be much more noticeable.
What details? - Well, the cuatro, another of the great elements of the gaita, and the keyboard itself are much stronger. I think that in terms of emotions this may be the best of the three, and I am sure that this was the real objective, to reach people in a different way through such a happy rhythm.
As you saw the gaita of Venezuela is a rhythm that can be used for everything, besides it is very catchy and it is easy to get attached to it. I know people who do not like the gaita and of course I respect their opinions, but in my mind there is no room for not listening to this music at this time of the year, the Christmas season. It is such a unique and extraordinary sound that it can be played by any musician, no matter what instrument you play, from strings to brass to the all-important percussion.
¡Un abrazo a todos, nos escuchamos en la próxima!
Well my people that's all for today, I hope you liked it.
¡A hug to all of you, we'll hear you in the next one!