Al compas del mundo - programa #107 - Christmas music from Latin America and Spain

There’s not a whole lot to say about this week’s non-controversial Christmas music program. ‘Tis the season. Were including old world Spain in the mix as a gesture of seasonal brotherhood. The conquistadores are forgiven for their heinous depravity and wanton destruction of native peoples and culture. No biggie. It should come as no surprise that in places where people love to dance, their Christmas music carries on in like fashion. Check out the tunes from Puerto Rico, Cuba and Colombia. A discovery for me was the high percentage of Andean songs from Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia that featured children’s choirs. Huh, I guess Christmas is for kids. I included several as long as they didn’t sound like The Chipmunks (Alvin!!!) There’s nothing from Mexico as it would be redundant, coming from a Mexican radio station. Even with an “alternative” focus, the other programmers are a bunch of softies, like me. I’m certain there’ll be no shortage of Pedro Vargas, Jorge Negrete and the Mariachi Vargas playing Blanca Navidad (White Christmas), etc. To close: I wish you and yours feliz Navidad y un prospero año! -J.H.

Song list for Christmas music from Latin America and Spain - First broadcast 12-21-23

01 Priscilla Flores - Aguinaldo Jibaro (Puerto Rico)

02 anonymous - No sé Niño Hermoso (Ecuador)

03 Conjunto Pro Música de Rosario - Selección de Villancicos Argentinos

04 Serenata Guayanesa - Aguinaldo Criollo (Venezuela)

05 Raya Real - Esta Noche Es Nochebuena (Spain)

06 Cheo Marquetti – A Comer Lechón (Cuba)

07 Compay Segundo Y Su Hija Amparito – Tres Magos de Oriente (Cuba)

08 El Combo de las Estrellas - Triste Navidad (Colombia)

09 Leonar Amaya - Villancicos gitanos (Spain)

10 Coro de niños de Espinar K'ana Wawakunas - Chaska Ñawi Niñucha (Peru)

11 Mercedes Sosa y León Gieco - La Navidad De Luis (Argentina)

12 Los Chalchaleros - Ay, para Navidad (Argentina)

13 Rafael Montaño - Luna Decembrina (Venezuela)

14 anonymous - Ya Vienen Los Reyes (ya viene la vieja) (Spain)

15 Felipe Rodríguez & Davilita - La Rosa Blanca (Puerto Rico)

16 Un Solo Pueblo - El Niño se alumbra (Venezuela)

17 Raya Real - La Marimorena (Spain)

18 Siwar Situy - Villancico Quechua (Peru)

19 Taburiente - Navidad Guanche (Canary Islands, Spain)

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