Hola, todos! We'll be doing something different from the usual shebang this time! This Three Tune Tuesday is a recording of me and my band performing three dearly classic Mexican songs! The video was originally recorded on "Viejo's" phone for a Facebook Live random special show. I cut out some of the other "less popular" songs along with most of the long, boring commentary and chatter in between, saving only the best parts and jokes. Lulu, the talent, sings the first two songs. We sort of drown her voice out a bit since she's far from the mic except for the parts when she really projects. Next to her is Other-Alex on the guitarrón, our accoustic bass. Viejo is closest and therefore loudest, shredding it on the vihuela. The vihuela is like a guitar but is has five strings and is tuned like a lute. Don't say "virhuela". Remember, he plays the guitar, not the "chicken pox". His phone is about to die. Next, on violin, is Kevin. Unfortunately, the shirt he was wearing is now lost. And then there's me, the first trumpet. The only trumpet. I've been working on some little musical projects lately which led me to stumble upon some old mariachi sheet music and reminisce about those gigging days. Those were fun times. Now, though, we've broken up. Like The Beatles. Some of us continue doing music, whether on the side or as the main gig. I hope you will enjoy these songs. Someday, I hope to get a new band back together.
Songs
Desdén - C. Valencia, Juan Arvizu, M. José Pufamy
Disdain
"See my sufferering, hear my soul moan"
This song is about a lover who, no matter how much effort they pour into the relationship, is cyclically met with heartache and indifference. They are even seen as the villain despite infidelity on the other lover's part. Profound emotional torment and injustice along with a deep sense of despair plague the singer, and yet they still long for the return of their lover.Si Nos Dejan - José Alfredo Jiménez
If They Let Us
"If they let us, we'll find a corner close to the heavens"
"If they let us, we'll love each other for the rest of our lives"
The second song is a love story like that of Romeo and Juliet. It is implied that they cannot be together and so each line starts with "if" and makes many sincere promises of love and escape. Back then in Mexico, in such a situation where the families did not approve of the young couple, it was common for the man to kidnap his lover and they would indeed run away and make their own life together. The family would use the verb "robar", claiming he stole their daughter.Por Qué Me Haces Llorar - Juan Gabriel
Why Do You Make Me Cry
"Why do you make me cry and make fun of me if you know, all too well, that I don't know how to suffer?"
This song is about the sorrow and heartache after a breakup. What more can the singer do but drown his sorrows in alcohol. Viejo, the youngest member of our group, was learning this song at the time. He is a bit stiff still at this point but as I played with him, I watched his skills grow and he took on his own unique style. The song ended up becoming known as "Viejo's Song". One time, early in his career and right before a performance, he told me, in a hushed voice, "I can't sing this song anymore!" I asked him why not and he said it was because he met someone else and was no longer heartbroken. I told him he got this, but it got me thinking, wow... All this time he was singing straight from the heart.
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