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Colombian rocker Juanes has no plans to sing in English

Colombian rocker Juanes has no plans to sing in English ....AP , June 20, 2005

Colombian rocker Juanes, whose songs of political and social struggle interwoven with messages of hope and love have drawn a huge international audience, says he has no plans to sing in English.

"For me, singing in Spanish is very important and makes me feel close to who I am," Juanes said after giving an "unplugged" concert at 7 a.m. Monday during the opening of a new radio broadcast center in the Colombian capital. It was the earliest in the day he's ever performed.

Juanes, who was designated as one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people in the world, said he nevertheless regretted that his English-speaking fans don't always understand his lyrics, which confront the suffering and bloodshed in Colombia's protracted guerrilla war.

"Still, music is a universal language," he said.

Juanes earlier played the Latin hit song "La Camisa Negra" ("The Black Shirt"), which was banned in the Dominican Republic for its sexual undertones, at the opening of Caracol Radio's modern new headquarters in Bogota. President Alvaro Uribe was expected to attend a formal inauguration party there Monday night.

Colombia's other superstar musician, Shakira, recently released her first album recorded in Spanish, "Fijacion Oral" ("Oral Fixation"), since 1998's "Donde Estan Los Ladrones? (Where Are the Thieves?)" She began recording in English with 2001's "Laundry Service."

By platano on Jun 20, 2005, 21:46 in Friendly Talkzone.

Dan says on Jun 21, 2005, 00:41:

Great! His music is pretty good already, no need to lower his standards :-)

God Bless America!

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santiBOG says on Jun 21, 2005, 04:38:

Great news!... ...now, can he stop singing in Spanish too?

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ColombianoX says on Jun 21, 2005, 06:45:

Now I know what to get SantiBOG for christmas.

CX

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

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N2Aquatix says on Jun 21, 2005, 07:09:

Rock or Pop? Never heard of the dude. What kind of "rock" does he play? Is he a musician or simply a singer? Is his style "heavy", or more like the kind of pitiful pop that I often hear referred to as rock? I would be interested in knowing more.

Jay

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ColombianoX says on Jun 21, 2005, 07:12:

"Rock or Pop?"

Both. Juanes is a pop-rocker. I'd say he is an all-around musician, he composes, plays the guitar, and sings.

CX

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

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N2Aquatix says on Jun 21, 2005, 07:20:

Cool. I saw Los Lost Boys (I think that's what they were called) the other night on one of the talk shows. They were really good. The guitarist played some really good scales. Kind of had that Flaminco sound. I was impressed. Not many rock guitarists use the Flaminco scales. Very classical sounding.

Jay

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Cerealkiller says on Jun 21, 2005, 07:53:

I like Juanes, and I think its a good idea that he sticks to Spanish. There are more than enough talented English Speaking musicians. The only artist whose native tongue isnt English yet I adore her music is Bjork, I dont bother with the rest when they start singing in English.

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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santiBOG says on Jun 21, 2005, 12:09:

Rocker... or not I don't see Juanes as a rocker. More of a pop trovadour with an well-oiled publicity machine. Don't get me wrong, I respect him, and I know that as a person he is very likable. I just can't get into his music.

By the way, ColX, please, please, no Juanes for me this Christmas, better make it Atercipelados or White Stripes (Jack White, now THERE'S a rocker!!)

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N2Aquatix says on Jun 22, 2005, 12:42:

Worldwide The White Stripes rock! Worldwide success says it all. ;)

Jay

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Veronica22 says on Jun 24, 2005, 03:41:

he loves himself

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