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Global Hit (click for full audio)
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The World (Public Radio Intl), Global Hit (click for full audio) >>
"Changui" is a song style that emerged in 19th century Cuba. It came from the Guantanamo region, in the eastern part of the island. It was an early effort to merge the Spanish guitar with African percussion.
Today, the style is still performed in Cuba. And Pedro Luis Ferrer is one of Changui's best known performers.
Ferrer has come up with his own brand of changui. He calls it "changuisa".
Ferrer describes it as more "feminine" than the original macho style from Guantanamo.
Either way, the Cuban guitar called "tres" is the signature instrument.
Pedro Luis Ferrer hates being put in the same bag as other Cuban musicians.
And he likes doing things his own way.
He decided not to have a regular band, for example. Instead he gets together with a "bunga". That's like a free-form, improvised group of musicians. Anyone who can play can join in.
But there is one consistent sound on many of the songs on Ferrer's new album. It's the voice of his daughter, Lena.
Some of Ferrer's songs are a critique of Cuban life today.
The song "fundamento" is about going to a vegetable market and finding that a simple mango or papaya can cost a whole month's salary.
Another tune is called "Conga Vegetariana". It's dedicated to two Norwegian friends who are vegetarians.
Ferrer found it ironic that they'd advocate a "meat-free" diet -- when most Cubans go weeks without eating meat because it's so scarce.
Cuba's Pedro Luis Ferrer's new album is entitled "Rustico". 03/08/05 >> go there
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