VARIOUS ARTISTS: Spain in My Heart: Songs of the Spanish Civil War

Various Artists

Spain in My Heart: Songs of the Spanish Civil War

© 2003 Appleseed Recordings (611587107428)

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An international roster of great musicians perform classic and newly written songs (many in Spanish) inspired by the Spanish Civil War, conveying the bravery, pain and loss felt by soldiers and civilians alike with a conviction that transcends language an

notes

The idealistic appeal of "fighting the good fight" against the fascist troops of General Francisco Franco as he warred against Spain's democratically elected government drew more than 45,000 volunteer soldiers from over 50 countries during the Spanish Civil War (1936-39). This influx created a canon of war-related songs sung by the freedom fighters and revived during the American folk boom of the Fifties.

"Spain in My Heart" presents new recordings of vintage and recent songs inspired by the conflict and performed by an international roster of musicians. The United States is represented by folk's activist icon, Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie, master instrumentalist/ vocalist John McCutcheon, bluegrass singer/fiddler Laurie Lewis, East L.A.'s Quetzal, multicultural singer/songwriter/actress Michele Greene, and Joel and Jamaica Rafael of the Joel Rafael Band. From Mexico and Nicaragua come vocalist Lila Downs and Duo Guardabarranco, respectively. The Irish volunteers are solo artist Aoife Clancy, formerly of Cherish the Ladies, and Shay Black of The Black Family. Spain itself is represented by two of its leading contemporary singers, Eliseo Parra and Uxía.

The songs here, acoustic-based and many in Spanish, form a surprisingly delicate mosaic. Rather than emulating the strident chaos of battle, the CD conveys more subtle aspects of the conflict - yearning for simpler times ("Asturias," "En La Plaza De Mi Pueblo"); longing for distant loved ones ("The Bantry Girls' Lament"); the equal significance of life, love and death ("Llegó Con Tres Heridas"). The war and the bravery of the anti-fascist forces are addressed in such songs as "Jarama Valley," "El Quinto Regimiento," "Taste of Ashes," and "The Abraham Lincoln Brigade."

No matter in what language the songs are performed, the bravery, pain and loss felt by soldiers and civilians alike are rendered with a conviction and feeling that transcends words and forges an aching link with the listener.

reviews

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  • author: florentino

    Franco murio,el fascismo paso, pero los ideales siempre estuvieron allí, trascendiendo, derrotando el paso del tiempo. Saludos de México, país que hizo camino con la república y que dío cobijo a muchos españoles que huyeron del vance implacable del fascismo.

  • Exilio
    author: Florentino

    Los ideales de la república trascendieron a Franco y a los fascistas, éste CD honra aquellos ideales tan presentes hoy como ayer. Saludos de México, país amigo de la república y posteriormente del exilio en sus momentos mas difíciles.

  • Spain in My Heart
    author: Per Rasmussen

    GREAT! SUPER! ¡NO PASARAN!

  • spain in my heart
    author: murdo morrison dolan

    The spirit of resistance will never die as long as people are not prepared to lie down to facism. great music tremendous performance by all the artists concerned.thank you. xxxxx

  • A haunting and moving album
    author: Tom Moore

    I found this album deeply moving and many of the tracks hauntingly beautiful, which is a little surprising given the horrific, historical circumstances which provided the inspiration for these songs. I defy anyone not to cry when listening to Michele Greene's rendition of Tú Que Brillas. The spirit of defiance to oppression echoes throughout this album.

  • Very moving
    author: Greg Casement

    Will listen to this CD more but I found the music very moving and almost haunting at times.If nothing else your heart goes out to the people of Spain at that time. They would get their democracy but it would take time. Who can forget the Satuday Night Live Skits when Franco was dying. A good indication of the contempt the rest of the world held in him at that time. Yes Generalrismo Franco is dead and no doubt occurpys a special place in hell.

  • Great CD
    author: Felix Krull

    attractive music excellently performed

  • Perfect bookend for "Pasiones" CD in my collection. Great.
    author: William Milz

    Great sound quality and a fine collection of songs which seem to be taking on a renewed importance today.

  • Nostalgia of the Spanish Civil War
    author: Phil Finkle

    I first heard many of these songs as a teenager. We had an album of 78 speed records. The recordings were of poor quality as they were made under the most trying conditions. Many Canadians fought with the McKenzie-Papineau brigade or the Mac-Paps. They were not recognized as army veterans until a couple of years ago. The songs were sung in many languages including German, French, English, Italian, and Spanish.

  • Nostalgia of the Spanish Civil War
    author: Phil Finkle

    I first heard many of these songs as a teenager. We had an album of 78 speed records. The recordings were of poor quality as they were made under the most trying conditions. Many Canadians fought with the McKenzie-Papineau brigade or the Mac-Paps. They were not recognized as army veterans until a couple of years ago. The songs were sung in many languages including German, French, English, Italian, and Spanish.

  • Great CD!
    author: Stanley Blumenstein

    A marvelous compilation of wonderful songs of a time that must not be forgotten, I learned many of these songs when I was a child and people were starting to realize the danger of the rise of the fascist state. (Much like it's rising today!) I salute the artists and their work.

  • A valuable contribution to a heroic event which must not be forgotten
    author: Charles Jepson

    This CD 'Spain in my Heart' so adequately reflects the aspirations, fears and sadnesses that the brave men and women of the International Brigades shared on the battle fields of Spain. The breath of songs truly reflects the internationalism and fellowship of those who sprung to the defence of Spain's fledgling democracy. If I were to have any criticism it would be the omission of 'Bandiera Rossa' and 'The Internationale', nevertheless an excelllent CD, one which will help to ensure the events of 1936-39 are never forgotten.

  • Great music, great cultural artefact!
    author: Michelle Geoffrion-Vinci

    This CD was recommended to me by a fellow Spanish professor and music enthusiast, but you don't have to be either to appreciate this collection. The music is varied and lyrical. The artists come from diverse backgrounds, countries, and musical traditions, all decribed in the liner notes. I've been listening to this recording with my young daughter just for fun, but I plan to use it in a course I teach on contemporary Spain. It's a wonderfully vivid example of the cultural connections between Spain and the rest of the world that were brought about by a cataclysmic event in Spain's tumultuous history. I purchased this CD days before March 11, 2004, infamous date of another such event. It sends a message of hope during a dark time.

  • Idealism never dies.
    author: Antonio Corralero Romaguera

    This Cd is a great contribution to the recent history. There was a version made in 1971 I would like to know if it is in someone memory.

  • This CD brought back a lot of memories
    author: Sonia Brock

    This CD brought back a lot of memories of my friend, Russell Blackwell, who volunteered to go over to Spain and fight against fascism or as we used to say the 'mercenarios y Fascistos'.

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