Songs of the Spanish Civil War

Songs of the Spanish Civil War

ASIN: B0000523DF

Track Listings

1. Els Segadors

2. Quinto Regimiento

3. Paso del Ebro

4. Tren Blindado

5. Mendiko Negarrak

6. En la Plaza de Mi Pueblo

7. Santa Espina

8. Tururururu

9. Cuatro Generales

10. Sardana de Les Monges

11. Els Segadors

Tracks:

Jarama Valley - Pete Seeger & Arlo Guthrie
Garcia e Galan - Uxia
The Abraham Lincoln Brigade - John McCutcheon
Asturias - Guardabarranco
El Quinto Regimiento - Lila Downs
The Bantry Girls' Lament - Aoife Clancy
Gracia E Galan - Uxia
Los Cuatro Generales - Joel & Jamaica Rafael
Llego Con Tres Heridas - Eliseo Parra
Noche Nochera - Guardabarranco
Viva La Quinte Brigada - Shay Black & Aoife Clancy
Si Me Quieres Escribir - Quetzal
Tu Que Brillas - Michele Greene
Los Marineros - Uxia
Peat Bog Soldiers - Laurie Lewis
Viva La Quince Brigada - Quetzal
Taste Of Ashes - Laurie Lewis

Album Description

The idealistic appeal of "fighting the good fight" against the fascist troops of General Francisco Franco as he warred against Spain's democratically elected government drew more than 45,000 volunteer soldiers from over 50 countries during the Spanish Civil War (1936-39). This influx created a canon of war-related songs sung by the freedom fighters and revived during the American folk boom of the Fifties.

SPAIN IN MY HEART presents new recordings of vintage and recent songs inspired by the conflict and performed by an international roster of musicians. The United States is represented by folk's activist icon, Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie, master instrumentalist/vocalist John McCutcheon, bluegrass singer/fiddler Laurie Lewis, East L.A.'s Quetzal, multicultural singer/songwriter/actress Michele Greene, and Joel and Jamaica Rafael of the Joel Rafael Band. From Mexico and Nicaragua come vocalist Lila Downs and Duo Guardabarranco, respectively. The Irish volunteers are solo artist Aoife Clancy, formerly of Cherish the Ladies, and Shay Black of The Black Family. Spain itself is represented by two of its leading contemporary singers, Eliseo Parra and Uxía.

The songs here, acoustic-based and many in Spanish, form a surprisingly delicate mosaic. Rather than emulating the strident chaos of battle, the CD conveys more subtle aspects of the conflict - yearning for simpler times ("Asturias," "En La Plaza De Mi Pueblo"); longing for distant loved ones ("The Bantry Girls' Lament"); the equal significance of life, love and death ("Llegó Con Tres Heridas"). The war and the bravery of the anti-fascist forces are addressed in such songs as "Jarama Valley," "El Quinto Regimiento," "Taste of Ashes," and "The Abraham Lincoln Brigade."

No matter in what language the songs are performed, the bravery, pain and loss felt by soldiers and civilians alike are rendered with a conviction and feeling that transcends words and forges an aching link with the listener.

Customer Reviews:

La música bien, la letra no tanto.......2005-05-03

Como hijo de exiliado español agradezco con el corazón que la música de la Guerra Civil Española siga viva dentro del canto del siglo XXI. Musicalmente me parece un trabajo muy completo, con conocimiento y aventura musicales, sin embargo, en lo que se refiere a las letras (lyrics) encuentro el punto débil del CD. Por lo que he podido investigar los textos utilizados son los llegados a los Estados Unidos, pero no los que se cantaban en España y, en ocasiones, la continuidad de las letras es inconexa.

Pongo un ejemplo: Joel & Jamaica Rafael cantan: 'Los cuatro generales, mamita mía, que se han alzado' y en seguida: 'Madrid que bien resistes, mamita mía, los bombardeos'. Esto, en el idioma español no tiene sentido. La letra original dice: 'Los cuatro generales, mamita mía, que se han alzado, para las navidades serán colgados' y la segunda parte: 'Madrid que bien resistes, mamita, los bombardeos, de las bombas se ríen, mamita mía, los madrileños' y de esta forma adquieren sentido pues a los cuatro generales alzados les espera la horca, mientras los madrileños resisten los bombardeos de las tropas franquistas.

Uxía, siendo española, llama 'Marineros' a la canción cuyo título original es 'Que será' y que viene de la canción infantil 'Arrión' y que ironiza sobre el hundimiento del crucero 'Baleares' por la Flota Republicana en la batalla del Cabo de Palos y Uxía no utiliza la letra que dice: 'Y han de ver, y lo van a ver como al 'Baleares', al 'Cervera' y 'Canarias' bajo los mares' lo que le daría el contexto del momento en que la canción surgió.

En fin hay muchas otras observaciones del mismo tipo.

En resumen, me parece que no se hizo una investigación profunda para encontrar las letras completas y correctas de todas estas canciones tan entrañables para todos los que descendemos de la República Española y eso demerita el trabajo del disco en su conjunto. Pareciera que es un disco para venta interna dentro de los Estados Unidos y a mi me hubiera gustado más que fuera para venta universal.

Recomiendo el CD de Oscar Chávez 'España 1936-1939-1975' editado durante 1999 en México por Discos Pentagrama, donde el trabajo curatorial de las letras y la música es sobresaliente.

Rodrigo de Oyarzabal, Ciudad de México.

Keeps Alive the Spirit of Justice and Freedom.......2004-08-06

As the son of a British International Brigade veteran and a Spanish Republican refugee,I grew up with the pain of betrayal, defeat, and exile. Songs helped to sustain us during the long dark years of Franco's dictatorship. This record captures the emotion, joy, and beauty of many of those songs, as well as some new ones, and keeps alive the spirit which took thousands of volunteers from around the world to fight for justice and freedom in Spain.

Average customer rating:

Songs to Remember
A Piece of History
historical traditional songs
¡NO LO COMPRES!.....
OLD - not bad- recordings

Songs of Spanish Civil War
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Chant Du Monde Fr.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Spain in My Heart: Songs of the Spanish Civil War
Rebel Voices: Songs of the Industrial Workers of the World
Comrades: Tales of a Brigadista in the Spanish Civil War
George & Ruth -- Songs and Letters of the Spanish Civil War
Historic Spanish Civil War Films DVD: Spain during the Spanish Revolution & Francisco Franco Footage

ASIN: B000003IBY
Release Date: 1997-01-10

Tracks:

Hymn Of Riego (Song Of Freedom) - Cobla De Barcelone Chor Et Orch/Gustavo Pittaluga/Rodolfo Halffter
The Four Generals (Song Of The Defence Of Madrid) - Cobla De Barcelone Chor Et Orch/Gustavo Pittaluga
We Are The Soldiers Of the Basque Land (Euzko Gudari) - Cobla De Barcelone Chor/Gustavo Pittaluga/Rodolfo Halffter
You Know My Address - Cobla De Barcelone Chor Et Orch/Rodolfo Halffter
The Sardana Of The Nuns - Cobla De Barcelone Chor Et Orch/Gustavo Pittaluga/Rodolfo Halffter
What Will Happen? - Cobla De Barcelone Chor Et Orch/Gustavo Pittaluga
La Santa Espina (Sardana of Freedom) - Cobla De Barcelone Chor Et Orch/Gustavo Pittaluga/Rodolfo Halffter
The Crossing Of The Ebro - Cobla De Barcelone Chor Et Orch/Rodolfo Halffter
The Armoured Train - Cobla De Barcelone Chor Et Orch/Rodolfo Halffter
The Fort Of San Cristobal - Cobla De Barcelone Chor Et Orch/Rodolfo Halffter
Sailors - Cobla De Barcelone Chor Et Orch/Gustavo Pittaluga
Eat It - Cobla De Barcelone Chor Et Orch/Gustavo Pittaluga
The Violet Banner - Cobla De Barcelone Chor Et Orch/Gustavo Pittaluga
The Mowers - Cobla De Barcelone Chor Et Orch/Gustavo Pittaluga/Rodolfo Halffter

Customer Reviews:

Songs to Remember.......2005-08-30

I bought this cd as a birthday present for my father. He was a teenager during the Spanish Civil War, and his political beliefs were shaped during that turbulent era. He was thrilled to hear his favorite songs again-all sung by the Republican side, of course. He reported they sound authentic and capture the spirit of the times. I believe this cd could be a great gift for anyone whose sentiments run the same way, and I think there are many out there.

Yael Maurer

A Piece of History.......2003-03-21

My father was one of those Spanish refugees who scaped to Mexico after the Spanish Civil War. I remember that same record playing many times at home. It is an historical recording that should be preserved.

historical traditional songs.......2001-06-07

Its a same that you include a political review as a musical evaluation of this record. this music is for folk students or historical archive music lovers. If this songs was singing for the republicans is not relevant about the review.

¡NO LO COMPRES!............2000-12-22

NO VALE LA PENA NI ESCUCHARLO, SE TRATA DE CANTOS MUY ANTIGUOS EN SU MAYORIA, DEL SIGLO XVIII Y XIX INCLUSO, REFRITOS QUE SE USARON DE NUEVA CUENTA, HACIENDOLES LOS CORRESPONDIENTES ARREGLOS, PARA SU USO DURANTE LA GUERRA CIVIL ESPAÑOLA POR PARTE DE LOS ROJOS EN CONTRA DE LOS NACIONALISTAS,NO SERIAN TAN BUENAS LAS CANCIONES, YA QUE QUIENES LAS CANTARON NO OBSTANTE LO FEAS QUE SON, PERDIERON Y CON MUCHO.

OLD - not bad- recordings.......2000-03-03

Old recordings of spanish songs. As you may think by the title, the songs are not only about the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) but actually popular songs - some that are dated more than a hundred years before (1800's) - which were re-used (some unmodified) during the war against fascism. The CD has a little introduction to the songs and translations to english/french/spanish; it does not have any info about the date / artist / origin of the recordings.

George & Ruth -- Songs and Letters of the Spanish Civil War

Average customer rating:

George & Ruth -- Songs and Letters of the Spanish Civil War
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Oasis
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music

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Songs of Spanish Civil War

ASIN: B00022I9AO
Release Date: 2004-04-15

Album Description

In 1937, George Watt left his bride in New York City to join the Lincoln Battalion fighting against facsim in Spain. Ruth Rosenthal Watt worked for the WPA, organized public support and peace demonstrations, and sent care packages to the fellows in Spain. Excerpts from their letters, with songs of the Spanish Civil War and other political causes in the U.S., tell their story against the backdrop of war.

Average customer rating:

Worst I ever heard

Songs of the Spanish Civil War
Ramón Lopez Quartet
Manufacturer: Leo Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000523DF
Release Date: 2001-01-30

Tracks:

Els Segadors
Quinto Regimiento
Paso del Ebro
Tren Blindado
Mendiko Negarrak
En la Plaza de Mi Pueblo
Santa Espina
Tururururu
Cuatro Generales
Sardana de Les Monges
Els Segadors

Customer Reviews:

Worst I ever heard.......2004-08-20

Either the recording was botched or the musicians are so avant-garde that I have no idea what message they are trying to convey. It really sounds like the CD was made from a tape going the wrong speed!

Pasiones: Songs of the Spanish Civil War 1936-1939

Average customer rating:

Cabaret version of politics
What a great CD!
American folk group sing some Spanish Civil War songs
History come alive!
Pasiones: Songs of the Spanish Civil War 1936-1939

Pasiones: Songs of the Spanish Civil War 1936-1939
Jamie O'Reilly and Michael Smith
Manufacturer: Bird Avenue
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Spain in My Heart: Songs of the Spanish Civil War
Songs of Spanish Civil War

ASIN: B000058AJW
Release Date: 1997-07-15

Tracks:

Tu Que Brillias
Quinto Regimiento
Song of the United Front
Peat Bog Soldiers
Song of the American Consul/Quartermaster Song
A Gunner Name of Bill
Cook House/The Young Man From Alcala
En La Plaza de mi Pueblo
Viva la Quince Brigada
Bon Cop de Falc
Freheit!
Los Cuatro Generales
Si me Quieres Escribir
Asturias
Lament for Ignacio Sanchez Mejias(Lorca)
Rozhinkes mit Mandlen
Song of the International Brigade
Beloved Comrade
Los Marineros
Jarama Valley

Album Description

"Pasiones: Songs of the Spanish Civil War 1936-1939" Michael Smith , Jamie O'Reilly with Katrina O'Reilly

"It is more than glorious music they offer us; it is our history that would otherwise be forgotten. At a time when passion is so lacking in our lives, these two artists set our hearts on fire! Viva Jamie and Michael!" -Studs Terkel

Created as a folk-cabaret, with input from Spanish Civil War heroes and historians, and now a CD sold worldwide, this recording includes 20 stirring songs, sung in 6 languages, that spotlight a powerful period in human history. What distinguishes this CD recording from others is the passion and commitment with which these top-notch performers perform the songs, honoring the stories of the International Brigades and Spain, (many told to them first-hand) and replicating the complex and varied musical styles of the era. Simple translations and program notes by Studs Terkel in a color booklet are included.

Customer Reviews:

Cabaret version of politics.......2003-07-08

The disc features songs of political passion turned into a cabaret performance. It reminds one a little of listening to the "Star-Spangled Banner" as delivered at a football game by a narcissistic rock star. The German, Spanish and French lyrics are mis-pronounced, the period music is turned into folk rock cadences and the presentation is anachronistic. Try Paul Robeson.

What a great CD!.......2002-11-10

This CD is really amazing. The songs are so powerful and are sung just beautifully. In response to "A Music Fan from Israel," I'd just like to say that the CD's subtitle is "Songs of the Spanish Civil War," not "Songs from..." and I'm sure that the title was not meant to be "decieving." "Pasiones" is a wonderful mix of languages and I enjoy the contrast between songs about the War and songs that were sung by the soldiers. This is a really wonderful CD.

American folk group sing some Spanish Civil War songs.......2001-12-26

The title "Songs of the Spanish Civil War 1936-1939" is deceptive and deceiving.
Several songs in the album seems to be, at best, ABOUT the war. Others (6, 18) were written by English/American including music by Michael Smith, the performer. Hardly a Spanish song or lyrics.
Rozhinkes mit Mandlen (20), is to the best of my knowledge an Eastern European (Jewish?) song. I wonder about its relevance to Spain.
Worst of all, all the songs are performed a'la the great American folk style of the 60'. I was looking for Spanish songs with Spanish flavor and rhythm not to Peter, Paul & Mary.

History come alive!.......2001-03-22

For anyone who knows or has heard of the egalitarian ranks of the freedom fighters of the Spanish Civil War, this international collection of fiery, heartfelt songs from the men and women who were first to fight fascists in the 20th century will fire your heart and cause your fist to fly up in glorious solidarity and brotherhood!. Not only are these songs taken from the original, traditional words and tunes of over sixty years ago, but they are arranged and performed as though you are there, listening to the actual music of this frightening and rousing time. I was fortunate enough to see Smith and the O'Reillys in concert (February, 2001 at the yearly Volunteers of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade gathering in Oakland, CA) and can't help but feel sorry for those who have not yet seen these magnificent and talented musicians re-create one of the most powerful musical moments of American and world history. Buy this album and join the battle!

Pasiones: Songs of the Spanish Civil War 1936-1939.......2001-03-02

This CD is a true gem! It captures all the intensity and emotion that is such an important element of the songs in this show. I can think of no other voices other than Jamie O'Reilly and Michael Smith who could have done it better. If you've been lucky enough to see this show, this CD is a must! If you haven't seen the show, it's even MORE of a must!

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