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Rhyner's Caribbean Music Online Store
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Strictly Parang Vol.1
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US$17.00 plus S&H |
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Los Alumnos de San Juan: Our
music reflects the many influences that our group has been exposed to
throughout the years. All our group’s members save one, are graduates of
San Juan Secondary Comprehensive School where we began in 1986. The
unique voice of Alicia Jaggasar, whose desire and commitment carries a
torch passed on by the great parranderos of the past, provides us with a
key ingredient in our success. We represent a variety of ethnic groups
and religions but we share the vision of the Fatherhood of God and the
Brotherhood of Man, particularly as it is celebrated at Christmas.
Los Tocadores: Very seldom, one encounters a musical group that has survived for approximately twenty-five years, Los Tocadores is one such group. Originating from the town of Sangre Grande, Trinidad, they grew out of the spirit of the 1970’s, one of change, freedom of expression, romanticism, peace and love. Starting out in 1971, nine teenagers ventured out after Christmas Eve mass to entertain their family and friends and to date the group has had successful tours of North America. La Divina Pastora Parang Group was formed in 1973 and firest entered the National Parang Competition in 1974 and emerged champions. This title was won five times on subsequent occasions, as well as the champions of the first (and only to date) International Parang Competition. During those years the group was led by the former Parang Queen the late great Daisy Voisin until her death in 1991. The group has performed in the United States, Venezuela and St Lucia and continues to enjoy widespread support and popularity. Flores de San José originates in the town of St Joseph, Trinidad. Sharlene Flores, the lead singer, has a style and sound all her own, and this coupled with the special musical abilities of Wayne Flores, makes the cutting edge sound of the band. The name Flores has been linked with parang and St Joseph for decades and the tradition is carried on through the group. They have made several recordings and are largely responsible for helping parang to cross over into the mainstream of the music world. Rebuscar: Only two years old, this band hails from Calvary Hill, Arima, Trinidad, the “Home of Parang Music”. The members came together to share their vision of contemporary elements of parang after many years’ experience performing with other local bands. Rebuscar has performed in Canada, New York City, and throughout the Caribbean. Lead singer Cristo Adonis, shaman for the Santa Rosa Carib community, uniquely marries Spanish heritage and Amerindian folkways in his lyrics to remind us of Trinidad’s natural beauty and history. The Lara Brothers parang group from Cantaro Village, Santa Cruz is the oldest existing parang band in Trinidad. It was formed in 1945 by Tito and Willie Lara, two brothers, and several of their friends. For more than half a century the Lara Brothers have represented the Hispanic heritage in Trinidad. Tito and Willie learnt the traditional folk songs and music from their father Ignacio, who was born in Venezuela. The band consists of sixteen musicians who produce a unique sound accompanying the voices of Tito and Willie, unmistakably that of The Lara Brothers. Los Buenos Parranderos: The band originated from the choir of the Good Shepherd Anglican Church, Tunapuna, Trinidad. Its leader was Sean Lewis, a respected music teacher and its members included persons from some of the prominent families of the area. In 1978 Mrs Gail Ganpat, a well known Spanish teacher, was invited to augment the choir’s repertoire to include Spanish Carols. By 1979 the name Buenos Parranderos evolved, and in the ten years or so to follow, the group made many appearances on Trinidad & Tobago Television and have never looked back since. Thanks to Holly Betaudier and Holly Betaudier Jr. In the English-speaking isles of Trinidad and Tobago the tradition of singing Spanish Christmas songs is a vibrant seasonal favourite. Parang derives from the Spanish parranda, includes the music, food and festivities of Trinidad’s Spanish peasants, or cocoa panyols. Today parang is widely enjoyed as a national seasonal celebration. In the 1960’s Holly Betaudier assisted the tradition by bringing village folklore to the stage. “Holly B’s Parang Bandwagon” has traveled around the island for over 40 years documenting local parang bands on television. This album represents the diversity of parang today. From the nostalgia of the Lara Brothers to the contemporary sounds of Los Alumnos de San Juan. Viva la parranda! Amelia Ingram |
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