I love Vallenatos but...

elmodefoque says on Nov 23, 2004, 12:20:

Bite your tongue, vallenato is the music of the gods, you should see Jesus himself dancing vallenato that guy could really move.

I'll get there, when I get there!

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Nov 23, 2004, 12:37:

vallenatos I like vallenatos too, but not because of the music which I find repetitive and sometimes a bit annoying...you can listen only that much accordeon music any given day...but because the songs are a true expression of the oral tradition still alive in those parts of Colombia. Like the songs of Rafael Escalona that relay bits and pieces of the real living history of the area. Every person mentioned in the songs has lived, loved and often already died there. Jaime Molina, El Almirante Padilla, Maye, La Brasilera, Alicia Adorada, El Cantor de Fonseca. The stories they tell are from real life: the theft of the chalice of Badillo, La Patilladera, El testamento. It's true, living folklore, passed from one generation to the next, from one town to the next, from house to house. It's gossip and tale-telling at it's best.
Cheers,
Desi

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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Lauthra says on Nov 23, 2004, 12:38:

Shees I hate Vallenatos, the lyrics, the acordión, the beat... Something inside me just rejects them.

Nato

Nato (='.'=)

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Nov 23, 2004, 12:42:

nato LOL
That's ok. My kids call it "the crazy accordeon music" and make throw-up gestures every time they hear it...
Cheers,
Desi

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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Lauthra says on Nov 23, 2004, 12:45:

SALSA! I love salsa, it's more fun to dance to, and the lyrics aren't always about sleepin with someone.
Nato

Nato (='.'=)

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Nov 23, 2004, 13:12:

I'll have to disagree about the lyrics. The traditional vallenato lyrics are almost about never about "sleeping with someone", but rather about "what happened then" and lots of juicy gossip:). It's very real, very grass-roots, very pueblerino; totally void of any sophistication. I like salsa but not the NY. type. I prefer listening to cumbias...
Cheers,
desi

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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brunito says on Nov 23, 2004, 13:32:

Right on Desi 'but because the songs are a true expression of the oral tradition still alive in those parts of Colombia'

I could't agree with you more but 3 days in a row? And I supposedly have a maniacal love of this music as a canadiense because I'll listen to it up to 4 or 4 hours in a row but 3 days...?

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ColombianoX says on Nov 23, 2004, 13:38:

Me encanta el vallenato! Especially when it's from Diomedes Diaz or Carlos Vives. Diomedes sings with such sentiment, it's really moving! And he has a great voice too. I love the way Carlos Vives mixes rock with vallenato, it's so innovative. Vallenato is great music to listen to when you just want to drink and don't want to dance.


ColombianoX

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

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Lauthra says on Nov 23, 2004, 13:49:

You're right Desi About the lyrics, I was refering to the newer vallenatos. I have hardly heard the traditional ones, since they don't interest me either, but I'm sure they talk about different things.

And as far as Carlos Vives is concerned, I don't think you could call his music vallenato, it's way too eclectic to be so.

Nato

Nato (='.'=)

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gringa-colombiana says on Nov 23, 2004, 14:03:

I love listening to vallenato. Vallenato does not sound the same at all. There are 4 basic types of rhythms: puya, merengue, son and paseo. The difference in these types is distinct by the pieces tempo and manner in which the instruments are played. The problem is that many of the commercialized vallenatos use the paseo because it the easiest forms of vallenato to dance. Traditional vallenato is played with an accordion, a bongo, and a guiro these instruments produce a sound which is unmatchable.

Not many people know how to dance vallenato properly. Some claim that vallenato is just a simple side to side movement, but that's not true. I guess when you dance vallenato with someone you love it starts to grow on you. I have always loved it, but became ever more found of it the first time my fiancee and I traveled to Colombia together.

The best vallenato dancers are found en la costa, they all have this distinct step, which is undescrible. A person call definetly tell the difference when dancing vallenato with a costeño and a cachacho.

Que viva el vallenato, GUPEA JE!!!!!

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elmodefoque says on Nov 23, 2004, 16:50:

Vallenato is music to moves the core of costenos and other Colombians. Vallenato is not for plastic, shallow people lacking the intense pride of country and people. Like desi says, is not only the beat but the words. Colombian elite dislike vallenato; this music is not for la Zona Rosa crowd. The elite find it difficult to accept that those incredible lyrics come from chusma, corronchos, low lives from the poor northern costal region of Colombia. Gabriel is also a costeno, a corroncho from the northern coast of Colombia and the intense pride he has for the “poorbuthappy” costeno is un equal.
I knew nothing about vallenato until my first trip to Colombia in the late 70’s when “El Binomio De Oro” were hot. Soon after arriving my female cousins got me on the dance floor and within 5 minutes I was as good or better than guys living in Barranquilla. Why? Cause is in my pure, indegeniouis blood and bones. Even now, as an old modefoque I still get welcome glances from strange young girls when they see me dance, even while not knowing I carry a USA passport. These Colombianas have nothing but intense pride, the same one that will tell you straight up “no tengo ningun interes de irme de Barranquilla!” they have no interest for that much sought after, by the elite shallow crowd, blue passport.
If you listen to “los caminos de la vida “and not fall in love with that music, you’re not alive, never mind Colombian!!

I'll get there, when I get there!

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Lauthra says on Nov 23, 2004, 17:05:

Bah I knew someone was going to say something along the lines of elmo eventually. I consider it very narrow minded to label people shallow according to their music taste.
I beg to differ with all your unfounded accusations. I don't like vallenato, but that doesn't make me any less proud of my roots and my country.

Nato

Nato (='.'=)

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elmodefoque says on Nov 23, 2004, 17:15:

ooops, you don't like vallento? how could that be possible, you look as colombian as me, we look like we were raised on panela, y pan de yuca. you have the exact face of my daughter, except she's almost a couple feet taller than you. my daughter has never been to colombia but gets stop by strangers asking en que parte de colombia nacio.

I'll get there, when I get there!

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ColombianoX says on Nov 23, 2004, 18:05:

QUE VIVA EL VALLENATO!!! Elmo's right, some of these snobby, elitist, peso rich colombian/as just think that vallenato is below them. This doesn't surprise me though, since one of the greatest defects of colombians is to look down upon their own culture. Vallenato is 100% colombian music, unlike salsa which is so popular in Colombia but is originally from Cuba.

Vallenato=Colombia


ColombianoX

'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

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litost says on Nov 23, 2004, 18:33:

It shows a big ignorance and desire to stereotype to suggest that the "elite" in Colombia reject vallenato as some form of inferior musical expression... I studied in one of the most prestigious private universities in Bogota and 80% of the people would be bigtime vallenato fans, another 10% would tolerate it and occasionally enjoy it, maybe just around the other 10% would have the DEATH TO VALLENATO attitude... which is a valid opinion anyways, nothing to do with social strata.

My gut reaction when the vallenato craze started invading my Andes homeland in the late 90s was to reject it... not surprising given my musical collection consisted mainly of 90's alternative rock, latin rock, electronic music, etc. It really was an "invasion" type situation, in my coffee region town all of a sudden salsa, merengue, rancheras, latin rock all but started to disappear to give way to the non-stop bombardment of the new wave of commercial vallenato. I long resisted and fought hard at parties with my friends (especially the girls) over what music to play, but what do you know.... if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. After swallowing my pride and giving dancing vallenato a try (ok, my dancing would surely make elmo fall on his ass laughing, but it's a big step for me), and listening to the words and "sentimiento", I realized its value and honestly enjoy a good vallenato from time to time. I admit though: the minute I hear a vallenato I have the uncontrolable urge to get drunk, or at least a buzz, in that state is where I've made my deepest connection to the accordeon songs.

But as brunito says... many in Colombia overdo it!!! All vallenato, All the time, All places... it freakin drives me nuts too. There are so many other tropical and nont-tropical sounds... nothing like diversity.

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elmodefoque says on Nov 23, 2004, 18:50:

Come on litos, you can’t be that bad, you’re Colombian for gods sake. Just take a broad and pull her as close as possible until you feel her heart beat and she feels your nuts. Gently guide her to the sound of what you’re feeling deep inside you.

I'll get there, when I get there!

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elmodefoque says on Nov 23, 2004, 18:54:

listen, don't forget to sing in her ears and throw in couple jokes. she'll be on all fours in no time.

I'll get there, when I get there!

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elmodefoque says on Nov 23, 2004, 19:05:

Hey litos, I think is imperative that Colombia’s future president know how to dance vallento, how the hell are you going to get that costeno vote?
I got a feeling colombiano x, could dance his ass off.

I'll get there, when I get there!

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Lauthra says on Nov 23, 2004, 19:38:

"This doesn't surprise me though, since one of the greatest defects of colombians is to look down upon their own culture."

Don't you live somewhere in america ColombianoX?

Nato

Nato (='.'=)

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kernow62 says on Nov 23, 2004, 19:41:

Vallenatos

http://www.live365.com/stations/vallenato1?play

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ColombianoX says on Nov 23, 2004, 20:32:

"This doesn't surprise me though, since one of the greatest defects of colombians is to look down upon their own culture."

"Don't you live somewhere in america ColombianoX?"


Yes, I do live somewhere in this great continent called America, as do most colombians.


ColombianoX

'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

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gringa-colombiana says on Nov 23, 2004, 21:08:

Elmo, regarding your comment to Litos,"you can’t be that bad, you’re Colombian for gods sake." LoL. Have you not seen how most cachacos dance vallenato? Los Barranquillero's definetly know how to dance vallenato way better. Vallenato is not a two step.

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utopiacowboy says on Nov 23, 2004, 21:22:

Yes, Lauthra, Colombianox lives in Florida. Which I guess explains his Colombia supremacist attitude. All this nationalism crap really turns me off - I don't care if it's Americans, Canadians, French, Germans or Colombians. All for the greater glory of the motherland, the reich, etc etc etc.....

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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Miguel says on Nov 23, 2004, 22:29:

My two pesos worth Carlos Vives...not too traditional, but indeed vallenato;, and a musicologist will point out that salsa originated in New York CIty, not Cuba. Speaking of Colombian music, there is a great article on Juanes in the 11.23 arts and music section of the NY Times.

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Miguel says on Nov 23, 2004, 23:13:

Clarification "a musicologist will point out that salsa originated in New York City, not Cuba"; more accurately stated, it was NYC where elements of Cuban, Puerto Rican, as well as African music came together and were popularized.

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lozza says on Nov 24, 2004, 02:12:

3 days and you wanted something else - try 2 years living in VALLEDUPAR!!! where they play nothing but, and if you ask for a change in music (just a couple of salsa tunes or something) you are looked at with complete disgust as if you have raped their inner soul and offended their reason for living.
But, saying that, outside of La Costa, i hear Vallenato and get quiet sentimental and i have brought a good bit back to England with me (in fact my mum has learned the words to Diomedes' "Hija" - bet there's not too many middle-class, 50-something, English ladies who can claim that!!!)

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kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Nov 24, 2004, 03:38:

ME gusta los vallenatos como Me gustan los vallenatos como tipica costeña pero que a veces se pongan uno de los diablitos. ;),

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kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Nov 24, 2004, 03:45:

And by the way I love Juanes too

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Lauthra says on Nov 24, 2004, 05:07:

Colombiano X Yes, I do live somewhere in this great continent called America, as do most colombians.

Yeah, so you live South Florida, and yet you think you're nearer to your colombian roots because you listen to and like vallenato, than me in Colombia? LOL, there's far too much hipocrasy in this world to bring on some more on a friendly board. I'm not arguing that you're less colombian or anything like that, just that the whole: "This doesn't surprise me though, since one of the greatest defects of colombians is to look down upon their own culture." can't be applied because of the mere fact of someone disliking a type of Colombian music.

Nato

Nato (='.'=)

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elmodefoque says on Nov 24, 2004, 05:12:

Hey Kat, “Los Diablitos” cantan, “Los Caminos de la Vida” that song cry’s to take a tiny waist big ass female, grab her real close to you, close your eyes and sway like the early morning waves in Puerto Colombia.
gringa-colombiana, I don’t think I‘ve ever seen cachacos dance vallenato. I was in Bogotá, Zona Rosa with friends and relatives but don’t remember them playing vallenato, mostly Latin rock and a few salsa songs y merengue. I do know that they tend to dance a few feet away from their partners while us costeños want to have sexual intercourse with our partners smack in the middle of the dance floor.
I was also in Medellin, in a gigantic bar/restaurant/club where the dance floor was a walk way for a horse show (Paso fino) and I don’t remember vallenato played there either and if they did I was too drunk to know what the hell I was dancing, but for me dancing is like breathing, you don’t think about, it comes out naturally. One thing I do remember was all the cachacas in my group wanted to dance with me, and even the ones from the table next to us. I think I was the only conteño in the entire place. Vallento is best when you dance with someone almost your same height, unlike barranquilleras most cachacas were a little too short for me.

I'll get there, when I get there!

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kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Nov 24, 2004, 06:49:

I agree with Elmo cachacos don’t know how to dance vallenato I am not and expert myself but I have cousins, sisters and even my mum who are, my dad is an expert in porro he is the king, The cachacos dance vallenato like “slow merengue”.And Elmo that song los caminos de la vida great song. And in my house is a tradition to wake up one of us in our birthday with Cumpleños de Diomedes Diaz
CUMPLEAñOS
Ay! vamos a entonar una canción
pa' que cantemos
vamos a festejar con emoción
su cumpleaños
vamos a decirle con amor
que la felicitamos
y que siga cumpliendo muchos más
que la virgen la tiene que cuidar
que de mi parte nada en la vida le faltará

Y que los cumpla feliz muy feliz
deseamos todos en esta reunión

Tus amistades llegamos aquí
pa' compartir esa gran bendición

Bendición de mamá
bendición de papá ( bis )

Y yo te vine a cantar esta canción
y te deseo mucha felicidad

Ay! vamos a abrir una botella de vino
pa' que brindemos
por que hoy con toditos tus amigos
amanecemos
ay ! por que hoy esta cumpliendo años
lo que mas quiero
y estoy repleto de felicidad
que hasta me han dado ganas de llorar
gracias a Dios
por que has cumplido un año más

Cuántos clavelitos nacerían
junto contigo
cuántas rosas blancas ese día
también nacieron
cual sería el cura que le diría
a tu padrino
el deber que él ya tenia con su ahijada
que los diez mandamientos los rezaban
desconociendo que tu tenias
quien te cuidara

Y que los cumpla feliz muy feliz
deseamos todos en esta reunión ( bis )

Tus amistades llegamos aquí
pa' compartir esa gran bendición

Bendición de mamá
bendición de papá ( bis )

Mil felicitaciones
que cumplas muchos más
que la virgen te cuide
que te cuide bastante
por que yo de mi parte
también te cuidaré

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ShazCas says on Nov 25, 2004, 12:04:

Los Diablitos Hey Kat, I LOVE Los Diablitos!! My husband (rolo) always used to laugh at me because I'm not a great fan of Vallenato, but when any song from Los Diablitos cam on the radio on the buseta I'd start humming and swaying and asking him who sung it!!

But my favourite vallenato has to be "Amarte mas no pude" by Diomedes Diaz. The first time I heard it I fell in love with Colombia, and I'd only been there for a month. (Ahhh memories!)

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killera4sho says on Dec 3, 2004, 16:11:

wats up w/ vallenatos? don't be hatin ppl, vallenato is the best in all colombian music exapmles: diomedes diaz, juancho roy, los diablitos, los zuletas, los betos..............omg!!!!!!!!!! if u wanna learn how to dance pure vallenato the right way? tell a costeñ at and they will teach how.
good luck on ur classes, lmao.

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will says on Dec 16, 2004, 07:04:

found you Lozza, i can't believe it. was just reading stuff about colombia for old times sake and there you were me old mate! que casualidad cachon! are you still out there or back in london? would love to have a catch up. what happened when you were meant to come and see me and paddy?

hit me back dude or call em on 07814021335

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toneloc24 says on Dec 17, 2004, 11:21:

I can deal with it, but just not all the time.

A trip to Colombia's coast without enjoying vallenato, is a wasted trip. Open up and enjoy 100% Colombian music.

In a coastal setting (not discoteca) with friends and family, after quite a few shots of aguardiente, chased by Aguila, the only music that works as a soundtrack is vallenato. Just something about it.

Granted, I can barely deal with it sober. I'm learning to like it, and even dance to it. But, even here in Atlanta, GA, when drinking aguardiente, it's a perfect reminder of beautiful nights spent in BAQ.

"PBH is dead!!!!"

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greenday says on Dec 17, 2004, 11:58:

just saw this thread Hey, whenever I'm in Colombia, the first thing I do is tune the radio to the best all-vallenato station, AND LEAVE IT THERE.......
nothing like making love with some nice vallenato music in the background.

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