Difficulty: Intermediate
Dominican Republic
Renowned Dominican singer, songwriter, composer and producer, Juan Luis Guerra, performs a live rendition of the title track from his 1989 album, "Ojalá Que Llueva Café" ["I Hope That It Rains Coffee"].
Difficulty: Intermediate
Mexico
Joselo Rangel is a native of Minatitlan, Puerto de Veracruz. He went to university, however, in Mexico City, at UAM (Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana). It was there that he teamed up with Ruben Albarran to create the legendary Café Tacuba. “Sobriedad” is from his recent solo effort, Lejos.
Difficulty: Beginner
Venezuela
José Rodriguez, the caretaker of a beautiful finca, or farm, is kind enough to show us around and tell us a bit about the area and himself. You will probably realize that pues, as José employs it, is a common muletilla (“filler” word), used to add a bit of emphasis or just as a matter of speech style, and doesn’t really always have to be translated (though it can often be thought of as akin to “well”).
Difficulty: Intermediate
Venezuela
People often say that Símon Bolívar, aka El Libertador, is to the people of Venezuela what George Washington is to the people of the United States. This is not entirely inaccurate, but this 19th century general and native son of Caracas retains a rock star / savior status that might equally be compared with Bob Marley’s place in the hearts of Jamaicans (and tender souled frat boys).
Difficulty: Intermediate
Argentina, Colombia
"Si Me Dejan" (If They Leave Me) is a collaboration between Colombian Vallenato sensation, Jorge Celedón, and Vicentico, the former frontman of the Argentinean ska band, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs (The Fabulous Cadillacs).
Difficulty: Beginner
Colombia, Venezuela
In the ballad "Será" [It will be], famed Venezuelan vallenato singer Jorge Celedón and Latin Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter Franco De Vita team up to sing about love.
Difficulty: Newbie
Colombia
Jorge Celedon is a Colombian singer specializing in the Colombian folk genre, vallenato. In "Me gustas mucho" [I Like You a Lot], he sings about his affection for a girl with beautiful eyes.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Spain
Listen to Catalonian singer-songwriter, Joe Crepúsculo's single, "Enseñame a Amar." Crepúsculo's work is characterized by his raw, lo-fi sound which he publishes under the Creative Commons license, posting it on his website for the public to enjoy for free.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Chile
Sometimes we wonder: What do people from Chile eat? Well, thanks to our friend Joaquín we have an answer. And who doesn’t love sandwiches?
Difficulty: Intermediate
Spain
Spanish musician Joaquin Sabina visits Mexico for this video set during the Mexican Revolution. Sabina, himself a former exile from Franco’s Spain, has released 17 albums over a 29 year career, as well as books of lyrics and poetry.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Venezuela
Carlos Eduardo López Ávila, known to most of the world as Jeremías, (his nombre escénico) was born in London, where his parents were studying, but he returned with them to their native Venezuela at the tender age of two. Billboard describes his music, with its blend of trova, pop, salsa and rock as mestizo (which of course usually refers to a person of mixed blood).
Difficulty: Beginner
Puerto Rico
Jennifer Lopez and Mark Anthony are in love! (Beware cold-hearted fellows! This could be painful for you…) Their careers are skyrocketing, and they have a set of absolutely angelic twins (reportedly netting them from $3 to $6 Million for a photo session). Take a chance with Por Arriesgarnos, and let them share their joy.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Venezuela
As an artesan, Javier Marin works with a variety of materials, employing many techniques to create his pieces. He has been kind enough to take the time to explain some of these materials and processes. Javier’s father, in the days well before email, used to transmit telegraph messages via morse code in the building adjacent to where his son now works.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Venezuela
Ecological awareness is universal these days, especially among young people. Javier explains his own use of natural and biological materials, a use that does not involve the destruction of any living creatures, but rather the reuse of materials that have been jettisoned by their original animal owners.
Difficulty: Beginner
Spain
Javier Garcia was born in Madrid to a Cuban father and spent his earliest years in Spain before heading to boarding school in Ireland (from whence his mother comes), finishing high school in Miami after the age of 16. So what kind of Spanish accent does he have? Well, by his own admission, something of a Cuban one when he sings, a kind of a Spanish one when he talks… (we called him and asked!)
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