diegomorenoproject 

 

Venceremos!

 

 

 

 

Let us say immediately that we are not talking about a disc. Diego Moreno what we propose is a great work, a kind of fresco, a choir of an entire continent. But we also now that Diego Moreno is not a musicologist in the strict sense, is first and foremost a musician who knows how to present this work with the lightness and happiness of those who entertain the audience of his time.

It 'an artist who first to face this challenge has published a very pleasant book / CD dedicated to Carlos Gardel and tango. It seems as if, unconsciously, Moreno has begun a musical history of Latin America.

But we come to these 5 CDs, which would be limited to define "collection". The title and subtitle VENCEREMOS! Canciones Revolucionarias Latino Americanas, tell us immediately that we are talking about, but beware, those with a minimum of confidence and knowledge with the world already knows - we explain it to others - not that we are facing a series of hymns and marches. Is there any anthem (just Venceremos or famous El Pueblo Unido) or the songs of celebration, which is full of sabor cubano, Carlos Puebla dedicated to Che (as the famous Hasta Siempre), but for the most part these are precious pieces of the great authors of the'60s and today have made the history of popular music of the continent and about real women and men, suffering and love real. Violeta Parra, Atahualpa Yupanqui, Victor Jara, Manns, Rodriguez Milanés, etc. names and artists that have emerged from their historical and geographic area and whose songs can still reach our hearts, as the real works of art from every era.

  Faced with this subject so rich and alive, Diego Moreno could choose different paths, the simple compilation of original recordings and through his re-interpretation of the songs chosen. Moreno instead chose a different path, certainly more challenging, but was able to give the work that dimension "unanimous" in talking about the beginning: he returned to Latin America, sought and got to work with other emerging artists of great quality, and with them has created new arrangements of the songs almost all of the work.

  Diego doing so makes us even know the names of the new music scene of his land and gave us wonderful versions of songs already loved. The interpretations of Marita Moyano songs of Violeta Parra are, in our opinion, one of the most beautiful in movement, but also remember Chazarreta Juan and all the others who were able to make this a valuable showcase mainland. But not enough, even those who are already passionate connoisseur of the genre will have some pleasant surprises like the new songs of the indigenous communities of Chiapas Zapatista guerrillas dedicated to. Peccato solo che Diego Moreno gave a few songs for himself, some Argentine interpreted with great office and a small gift to the second

home of Diego, a new Latin “Bella Ciao”.

 

 

Riccardo Pecoraro
Music critic and historian of Latin American Cultures
Capri, 13 December 2006