Search - Various Artists :: Iguana

Happy joyful music

Enrique Torres | San Diegotitlan, Califas | 11/04/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a historical disc recorded over a twenty year span dating back to 1976. The recordings are by various groups representing the diversity of the sones jarocho, typically associated with but not limited to the Veracruz area of Mexico. The sones jarocho are easliy identified by the characteristic harp and smaller guitars and is a festive cultural music where dancers perform zapateados(a dance performed with emphasis on the shuffling stomping shoes) usually dressed in all white with 'kerchiefs around their necks and doning the sombrero(hat) of the tropics. To those unfamiliar with the sones jarocho, you may have heard it but not realized it with the popular song "La Bamba." The title track. "La Iguana" was recorded in recent years by Los Lobos who often incorporate sones jarocho into their ethnic blend of Aztlan roc. Another recognizeable song, performed by many artists in Mexico is "El Cascabel." To illustrate the popularity of this particular song it is performed twice by two different groups on this disc. This disc is in the BVSC vein only instead of Cuban performers the musicians are Mexican. Some of the singers were well into their 80's, approaching 90 when these songs were recorded. Some of the featured groups have been together for more than twenty five years. The diversity of the sones jarochos are as rich as the cultures that make up the music. There are influences from the Africa, most notably from the slaves(predominately Bantu) brought into the Veracruz region but the music streches well to the south where the Nahuatl and Popoluca cultural influences dominate the sound of sones jarochos. It is a fascinating mixture of cultures and sounds that make up the sones jarochos and one of the most popular is the huapango. There are twenty three songs featured, mostly in the three minute range, performed by seven different groups and one soloist. Each group lends their distinct interpretations to these Mexican classic songs beginning with the Trio de Mandinga and performances by Los Tiburones del Golfo, Conjunto de Santiago Tuxtla, Daniel Cabrerra, Ecos del Papaloapan, Conjunto Cosmaloapan and ending with the Conjunto Los Jarochos. Basically this disc is a joy to listen to and will take your mind on a National Geographic journey or if you are lucky enough to recall your own personal sights and sounds of Mexico lindo y querido. A super disc that is as festive as it is historical, which features good sound quality for a transporting musical experience."

The harp is such a great instrument!

Enrique Torres | 08/25/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I love this CD and have already listened to track 16, La Morena, a hundred times. This song totally blows me away. Many other very cool songs on here also."