Joan Baez - Gracias a la Vida (1974) AMG Rating: *** Orig. Release Date: January 1974 Release Date: 2nd March 1994 Label: 1994 CD A&M 393614-2 Barcode: 082839361422 ASIN: B000006SNG Time: 42:47 Genre: Folk Styles: Folk-Rock, Contemporary Folk 01. Gracias a la Vida (Here's To Life) Baez, Parra 3:34 02. Llego con Tres Heridas (I Come With Three Wounds) 2:11 03. La Llorona (The Weeping Woman) 3:38 04. El Preso Numero Nueve (Prisoner Number Nine) Hermanos Cantoral... 3:22 05. Guantanamera Marti 3:50 06. Te Recuerdo Amanda (I Remember Amanda) 2:31 07. Dida Baez 3:33 08. Cucurrucucú Paloma Carson, Valando 4:29 09. Paso Rio (I Pass A River) 0:56 10. El Rossinyól (The Nightingale) 3:01 11. De Colores (In Colors) 2:26 12. Las Madres Cansadas (All The Weary Mothers Of The Earth) 2:55 13. No Nos Moverán (We Shall Not Be Moved) Traditional 3:39 14. Esquinazo del Guerrillero (The Guerilla's Serenade) 2:42 Performance Credits Joan Baez Primary Artist, Guitar, Vocals Milt Holland Percussion Jim Hughart Bass Lalo Lindgron Harmonica Edgar Lustgarten Cello Sally Stevens Vocals Tommy Tedesco Guitar Jackie Ward Singers Vocals Andrea Willis Vocals Technical Credits Joan Baez Producer Henry Lewy Producer ----- Amazon Product Description: The title translates as "Here's To Life" and the song it comes from was written by famed Chilean songwriter Violeta Parra. This album includes songs from the Chilean "New Song" movement of the 1970's (when it was recorded) as well as traditional Mexican ballads. It is also one of Ms. Baez's most acclaimed recordings for her gracious delivery and sensitivity to the material and the sheer beauty of her interpretations of the material at hand. Even if you don't understand a word of Spanish, you can't help but be moved by these outstanding performances. And if you "hablas Espanol", they are even sweeter to the ear. A&M 1994 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. ----- By Veggiechiliqueen, March 2, 2005: A beautiful, authentic collection of folk songs [*****] As a music seller, naturally, I've heard *of* Joan Baez, but had never heard her music. A few days ago I came across a review for "Gracias A La Vida." One reviewer mentioned the similarities to Linda Ronstadt's excellent "Canciones de mi padre," which has been one of my favourite Spanish-language CDs for years. Strangely enough, at work the next day, I was going through boxes of old audio cassette tapes from the last twenty years, when to my surprise...a copy of "Gracias A La Vida" appeared. I put it into the tape player, not knowing what to expect from an album more than thirty years old. The fourteen songs feature Veracruz harp, Latin guitar and percussion, and the warm, clear voice of Joan. The beautiful Spanish lyrics are profound in their simplicity and grace. "Gracias a la vida" (Here's To Life), by Violeta Parra, begins as a solo, but turns into a magical duet towards the final chorus. "Llegó con tres heridas" (I Come With Three Wounds) is a very short, moving song that contains only four simple lines: "I come with three wounds: those of life, death and love." Again, the haunting harmony and simple strumming of a guitar are the sole embellishments. Her version of the Mexican ballad/folktale "La Llorona" (The Wailing Woman) is stunning. There is a melancholy that seeps into your soul upon hearing this ballad, with its castanets, strummed guitars, violin, and pain-drenched lyrics ("They say that I do not feel pain, Llorona, because they don't see me cry"). Other outstanding versions of "La Llorona" include recordings by the legendary Chavela Vargas (recently seen in Julie Taymor's biopic of Frida Kahlo; Chavela was one of Frida's real-life lovers) and Mexican songstress Lila Downs (both found on the Frida soundtrack by Elliot Goldenthal). The Huapango "El Preso Numero Nueve" (Prisoner Number Nine) is the first song on the CD that sounds exactly like the gorgeous ranchera/mariachi CDs by Linda Ronstadt recorded some twenty years after "Gracias A La Vida" was released. Bright mariachi brass and violins slide into strummed guitars in this haunting tale of a prisoner executed for a crime of passion. Next, the sinuous Cuban anthem "Guantanamera," penned by national poet-hero José Martí, followed by the poignant "Te Recuerdo, Amanda," by Chileño Victor Jara, who was assassinated by the Pinochet regime. Mariachi returns on "Cucurrucucu Paloma," trailed by the haunting a capella interlude "Paso Rio," which brought to mind the power of Gregorian chant. Next, a beautiful song in Catalán, "El Rossniyol" (The Nightingale), with the soothing simplicity of a lullaby. The tone swings back to Mexican traditional on the lilting "De Colores." "Las Madres Cansadas" (The Weary Mothers) and "No Nos Moverán" are powerful testaments to the human spirit to overcome. Finally, the album closes on a bright note with "Esquinazo del Guerrillero" (Guerilla's Serenade). Although many of the songs are short, there is much beauty and vibrant Hispanic culture to be enjoyed, including huapangos, songs of protest, and ballads, all tied together by Joan's lovely voice and perfect Spanish (her father was Mexican). If you enjoy "Gracias A La Vida," be sure to check out Linda Ronstadt's excellent "Canciones De Mi Padre" and "Más Canciones de Mi Padre," performed with the legendary Mariachi Vargas. Happy listening! ----- By Movielovr777, 23, 2008: A Splendid Collection of Folk Songs in Spanish! After many years using her splendid soprano voice to sing and record traditional and modern folksongs of the British Isles and the USA, and after traveling the world, singing to and for some of its most vulnerable peoples, Joan released this beautiful album of folk songs from Latin America, sung mostly in Spanish, with one song in Portuguese. Joan had seen the world in all its glory and tragedy. She had worked tirelessly for peace in Vietnam, Ireland and other seemingly hopeless conflicts, standing up for humanity's greatest potential while viewing up close some of its greatest horrors and injustices. She marched with Martin and Cesar, sang to mothers who'd lost their children and wives whose husbands had been 'disappeared' by the juntas, and through it all she absorbed the cultures and music of the people she met, and the friends she made. No doubt her father's Mexican heritage influenced her attraction to some of the songs on 'Gracias a la Vida', as well as her time with Cesar Chavez and traveling through the countries of South and Central America. After talking to the poets, artists and activists whose very words, in some circumstances, could bring about their arrest, imprisonment or worse, she put together this powerfully beautiful and ultimately transcendent collection of songs and poems set to music. The words (which can be found by searching "baez gracias a la vida lyrics"), the melodies and the rhythms on this CD combine with Ms Baez' voice to provide a musical landscape that includes joyful celebration, thoughtful observations, loving tribute and painful, tragic loss. It is a CD to be treasured and listened to again and again! http://www.usingenglish.com/amazon/us/B000006SNG.html http://penguinaudio.com/AllRock-40-B000006SNG-Gracias_a_la_Vida