Musica - Youtube It, If You Dare!

October 31st marked "Dia de la Cancion Criolla" celebrating Peruvian Creole music which is the traditional music of the coast. Peruvian Creole music is a cultural mix of sounds characterized by Spanish guitar and the African box drum, the cajon. You can search the website youtube for Eva Ayllon, Zambo Cavero or Pepe Vasquez to hear music by these Creole giants.

The second type of traditional music found in Peru is from the Andean highland region referred to as folklorico. The folklorico music is more instrumental with various types of wooden flutes and drums. I have encoutered this music at the mall in San Antonio :)

It is difficult to separate music and dance in Peru, so I would be remiss not to mention two that I have encountered in celebrations. Both prompt you to beat time with your feet. The Huayno has a raucous beat we have skipped along to in parades. The Marinera is the national dance which captures the heart and soul with its majestic strides and coquettish style.

Popular music has always fascinated me, not so much from a musical standpoint but as a study in sociology. My next section, is a look at some of the popular music on the radio in Peru. I am going to borrow a format from a country music station in Texas and classify the songs in 3 categories; "Crying, Loving, or Leaving." Again, do your homework on youtube if you desire to hear the tunes and learn more. Some of you may already know a few of the songs. Many of the artists are already mainstream and can be heard on radio stations in the U.S. Based on the list below, it looks like the "loving" songs win but followed closely by the "crying" (guy cheated on his girl and now wants her back) songs. Anyone care to make a cultural observation?

CRYING
Volverte a Ver by Juanes
El Amor De Mi Vida by Grupo Gale
Llamado De Emergencia by Daddy Yankee
Que Tengo Que Hacer by Daddy Yankee
Perdoname by La Factoria
Te Amo by Makano
Dime Si Te Vas Con El by Nigga
Oye Nina Bonita by Zona Fuego
That's Not My Name by the Ting Tings

LOVING
Te Regalo Amores by RaKim Y Ken
Na De Na by Khirz y Angel
Bonita by Cabas
El Amor by Tito El Bambino
Mix Dinamita by Los Caribenos
Carita Bonita by Erre XI Pee Wee
Sigue tu Flow by Florida Ft. Pain
Me Enamore by Tecupae
La Escobita by Marisol
Magdalena by No Se Quien y Los No Se Cuantos
Calle Ocho by Pitbull

LEAVING
Largate by Hermanos Yaipen
Mil Horas by Alex Ubago

Techno note: "El Dengue Remix" is big here on the radio and in the dance clubs. It is “Dengue” as in dengue fever and mosquitoes. This is a infectious tune, if you will, that sounds like a mosquito flying around. Dengue fever has been a problem in Peru last year and they anticipate it coming back in the summer. Don't worry, we have insect repellant in the house.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIG_SprjAWw is the link for "El Dengue Remix"

I almost forgot to mention, if you like the 80's music then Peru is for you. Depeche Mode was in concert in Lima a few weeks ago and one frequently encounters artists from the 80's such as the rock group Men at Work while traveling on mass transit.