JULIETA VENEGAS' LATIN GRAMMY PERFORMANCE

Last night, I peeped the the Latin Grammys just in time to watch Julieta Venegas perform her current hit "El Presente". I thought it was a stand-out performance and unfortunately the poster of the this Youtuber didn't include the preceding performance by different accordion players representing the different styles and regions of Latin America. I just happened to be watching that when they immediately segued into Venegas' performance. Toward the end , all the acordion players joined in. I thought it was great idea that worked out quite effectively. I had to surrender the television after so I didn't see any other performances or highlights, including watching her accept an award for Best Alternative Music Album for her MTV:Unplugged album. (UPDATE 12/18/2008 : SONY/BMG Music pulled the plug on the previous YouTube video so I linked to another one. This one is better anyway, it includes the previous accordian performances.)

JULIETA VENEGAS - "PRESENTE" LATIN AMERICAN GRAMMY PERFORMANCE 2008

THE GAME IS OVER BUT THE CLOCK JUST KEEPS ON TICKING...

happy birthday...happy birthday...happy birthday...



Concrete Blonde - Happy Birthday (1989)

¡VIVA VENEGAS! A Concert Review...sort of

Julieta Venegas
El Presente Tour
The Warfield
San Francisco, California
Saturday, October 11, 2008

So I made it to the Julieta Venegas "El Presente" tour concert and her performance was, as expected, incredible. I bought tickets from this cat from Craigslist who wanted to go to the Carlos Santana show in Santa Rosa. So I got 4 tickets and dragged my wife (kicking and screaming) and my friend, Antonio, and his wife to the show. We grabbed some Italian at Noe Valley Restaurant on 24 St and jumped on the J to get to the Warfield. I really enjoyed my veal piccata.

After dodging the aggressive panhandlers on Market Street, we made our way into the Warfield. Our usher, it turned out was this short Latina girl that works at the library. I immediately recognised her because I distinctly remember her dismissing author Chuck Palahniuk as being repetitive while I was checking out his latest novel, "Snuff". Anyway, it was slightly ironic because I, myself, used to moonlight as an usher at the Warfield back in the day. So anyhow, we ended up with decent seats. Antonio and I went to the bar and drank some Coronas as we discussed the economy and also what a fat disgusting piece of shit I've morphed into. Slumming isn't best word to describe me but it the first that comes to mind.

I wasn't aware of an opening act but the librarian/usher told us there was. Indeed, it turned out to be Julieta's former band member and Tijuanese, Ceci Bastida, the ex- front woman of the now defunct Tijuana No! I thought she put on an earnest set along with her stripped down band playing her trademark rock-ska style; her last song was a cover from her band. While we were gone and shortly before the opening act, the people in front of us got into a heated argument over their seats. Our wives, who stayed behind, recounted the story of how one woman called another woman a "fucking bitch", a screaming match ensued and almost became physical. It even descended into a class-ist and racist incident with one darker skinned Latina woman yelling, "Just because you have light eyes doesn't mean that you're better than us...you fucking bitch!". So much for liberal San Francisco. The ushers were completely inept, they finally offered some other seats to the people and later kicked the squatters out.

After that, My friend and I went out for more Coronas and when we go back to our seats. The main attraction started and then...two drunken, super-fan fucktards sit right in front of us in the now disputed seats. One was a guy and the other a woman. I don't think they were a couple, but more like a Latina version of "Will and Grace" ;actually closer to Jack and Karen(Okay- clearly, I know way too much about that show). They were as loud as they were obnoxious -she says, " oh I don't know this song!"- He says, "oh yes you do girl!!!" My wife was really pissed because they blocked our view. My wife and I breathed a short sigh of relief when the ushers cleared them out and brought back the family that had the tickets for the seats in the first place, only to have these two knuckle heads sit right behind us. They were singing...so horribly and so loudly that I couldn't hear Julietta Venegas' voice and they were kicking our chairs. I was so pissed off as I was really looking forward to enjoying the concert. I mean the last concert I had been to was the fucking Wiggles for chrissakes in 2003! These two pendejos were really dropping a gigantic mierda on my evening. I know it's a concert but if they want to sing loudly and dance, shouldn't buy tickets for the floor instead? I know the folks that sat behind them were really upset. Every time I heard their big bocas, I became crankier and more frustrated than John McCain.

The saving grace was they had to leave for a bit, I think the girl probably had to blow chunks because they were gone a for while; long enough for me to hear Venegas belt out her latest single "El Presente" without their loud, slurring mouths. However, I was determined not to let them ruin my night and overshadow Julieta Venegas - she was awesome. Despite singing with a sore throat, she put a fantastic show along with her full piece orchestra, which gives a strong new flavor to familiar songs. She spoke a little but not too much, I don't understand Spanish but I picked out the words "latinos", "world", "changes" and "vote" and my friend explained to me, after the show, that she was basically saying that as Americans we need to get our asses out there and vote. No arguments here.

Venegas came out in a mint green dress and sporting a china doll hair style; she looked and sounded great. I dig the way she looks squeezing out the tunes on the accordion or strumming her guitar that's almost as big as she is. Unfortunately I didn't bring my camera because I didn't know if I was allowed to. I tried to snap a few photos on my Blackberry but the results looked worse than photos of UFO sightings. She sang all her hits, including one of my favorites, the newly arranged "Lento" and gave the crowd what they wanted, and of course she couldn't play everything I wanted to hear...but I was more than content. Finally, the crowd went crazy when she came back for her encore with "Andar Conmigo". She's a class act, all the way!

We all had a great time, even my wife, who initially didn't want to go. We all made it home, thankfully without incident, and my only regret was not bringing my camera. JULIETA AND HER ACCORDION RULE!

As a side note, you can hear a recent interview with Julieta Venegas (in English) from PRI's The World, heard on NPR. Her inspiration for the playing the accordion is surprising.

INFECTIOUS 'LITTLE DRAGON'

I heard "Constant Surprises" from Little Dragon, this weekend on KCRW and I can't get the music, the singer's voice or her face out of head. It just really mesmerized me. It's that jazzy, electronic R&B that just crept up on me and Yukimi Nagano's sexy, soulful vocals just hammer in the final nail of this solidly built track.

And no way can any salty critics accuse Nagano of being another Winehouse rip-off. Firstly, she is Swedish, not from the UK and secondly, she's been belting out the jams since 2001 when she recorded along with the electronic duo, Koop, who are also fellow Swedes.

While the video, directed by Fredrik Egerstrand, is noticeably low-budget, it's style sinks perfectly into the groove of this smooth sounding joint. After a cursory Google search, it looks as if they they will be in town soon. They are playing at The Roxy in West Hollywood on November 21st and at Cafe DuNord, in The City on November 23rd. Check 'em out:

Little Dragon - Constant Surprises (2007)

¡JULIETA ESTÁ LLEGANDO!

So I'm very excited that Julieta Venegas is coming to play at the Warfield this October 11th. Just so you know, the Güero is not a big fan of concerts; I'm fast becoming an old man and I don't dig on large crowds or loud music any longer, but I feel like this concert is a must-go event. I've loved this woman's music since I first heard it on a Spanish language radio station in 2005, while spinning my wheels in San Diego. I couldn't make the show she played at the Wiltern in LA and I didn't see her in San Diego either, so now this is my chance.

There are of course other, possibly more edgier Mexican singer/song writers, like Ximena Sariñana(also an actress) out there and it's really not wise to compare but I just really think Venegas is at the top of her form. She doesn't sport that "Sabado Gigante"-style sexiness; nor has she starred in any tacky telenovelas. I admire that because it's all about her music. It's her music and intelligence that make her so appealing and attractive. She is sexy to me but not in that obvious way, like Paulina Rubio, shaking her junk all about (Not that there's anything wrong with that!). Just look at the photo (top left)...I think she's hot and looks muy chida with that accordion!

And yeah...it's a God-rotten, pathetic shame that I don't speak Spanish either but it's never stopped me from enjoying her music, and from what I've read, half of her audience in LA were non-hispanic whiteys which tells me that I'm in large company. Yes, yes...I'm half Mexican but my family has been residing in Gringolandia so long now that for all intents and purposes, I'm just another big gabacho. However, I do understand some of her lyrics and what I don't understand, I just Google.

The work for me now is to convince some one to accompany me to the show. My wife could not care less and doesn't want to go and it's difficult to get friends to commit. My son said he'll go so maybe it will be just me and the boy.

Well enough already... so here's a little video from her MTV Unplugged concert a few months back. If you seem interested you should check the whole album out, it's one best live albums for the year...I think.


Julieta Venegas - El Presente (Unplugged) 2008

TOTALLY RANDOM: BOLLYWOOD BEYONCE?

Don't even ask the Güero how he found this one. Just sit back and relax as you watch Indian model, singer,actress -Deepal Shah (pictured left) sing and dance with Indian school girls (whilst in the bathroom and sitting on the toilet - for serious!) All this and some of the most horrific rap you have ever heard. How can you resist?







Deepal Shal - Rangela (2004)

FORGOTTEN FAVOURITES: LUSH

Who could forget Miki Berenyi, the red haired, English born, half-Japanese, half-Hungarian lead singer from Lush, one of the most underrated UK bands of the 1990s? The first track I heard from them was "Deluxe", which San Francisco's Live 105 played in their hit or miss rotation. They started out as a shoegaze band...you know... shoegazers - the sort of introspective and withdrawn folks who never look up when they walk down the street, staring at their own shoes instead. Shoegazers...get it? By 1996, they had evolved into a solid 90s britpop group. Things seemed to being going great until drummer, Chris Acland, hanged himself in 1996. Everything fell apart soon after and the world of music moved on.

I saw them perform live at a free concert sponsored by Live 105 at Union Square sometime in 1992 or 1993- I can't remember exactly. The show was great and their sound matched their studio recordings. Now in the past, it's been unfairly alleged that the Güero possesses an unhealthy Asian fetish , as well as an English fetish(Anglophilia), but I must say that I had no idea Ms. Berenyi was half Asian until I saw them in concert. So please don't hate and think I'm dusting off this defunct band due to some sick and twisted perversions that I may or may have. It's also interesting to note that Miki Berenyi used to date that cat from Weezer, Matt Sharp. Weezer released a track called "El Scorcho" which is said to be have written about her. The lyrics includes the line:

"Goddamn you half-Japanese girls Do it to me every time..."

Guitarist, Emma Anderson was no slouch herself and was responsible for composing most of their songs. Lush's guitars had a very dreamy and atmospheric sound that remained distinct even after they ventured into a more melodic style, that marked their end. So judge for yourself...

Lush - De-luxe (1990)

Lush - Hypocrite (1994)

Lush - Single Girl (1996)

TWO FAVORITES: JULIETA Y LILY

I'm sure it was just a coincidence but my two most favorite singer-song writers released new songs on MySpace this past Thursday:

Julieta Venegas just released, "El Presente" from her upcoming MTV Unplugged that was recorded last March in Mexico D.F. It's performed amazingly and if I didn't hear the applause at the end, I would've never known it was live. Also, there is "Algo Fue Mio", another great track.

Lily Allen also released two tracks: "I Don't Know" and "I Could Say". The first being my favorite. It's got nice retro-eighties sound and of course her always pointed lyrics. This time about being a young woman in the twenty first century...in an age of mass consumption and Paris Hilton.

Listening to these tracks is probably the only reason I have for having a MySpace page. I'm too old for this shit...really!!!!

YET ANOTHER BRITISH SOUL SIREN:DUFFY

I'll admit that I'm a sucker for trends and lately it's been these 60s style soul singers from the UK that have been doing it for me. Not since the glory days of Dusty Springfield have there seemed to be so many.

Last month I posted two videos from Gabriella Cilmi (pronounced Chill-me), the teen-age Aussie singer currently living in the UK. This time the new soul singer/songwriter hails from Wales. Her name is Aimee Anne Duffy but has apparently decided just to go by the moniker, Duffy. Fine by me. I hate to rush to judgment and say that she's the hottest thing based on hearing one track, but after hearing and seeing this video, I'm sold - bought and paid for, with a little ribbon tied around me. She's hot, her voice is massive, I dig her style and I gotta say...I got the chills when I first heard her. I love it and I'm considering ordering the CD from Amazon.co.uk since as of now, there's no domestic release. The guero says check her out!

Duffy - Mercy (2007)

FORGOTTEN FAVORITES: Skateaway-Dire Straits

Even before MTV finally reached San Francisco on Viacom Cable in 1982, I was already excited about music videos. I would religiously tune into a music video program on Viacom Cable channel 6 called "The California Music Channel" that started up around 1981. Interestingly, after some cursory Googling, I learned that it's still around today!!

One music video they played that I really dug was Skateaway from the Dire Straits. The song is about a girl who skates through the streets and life freely and exuberantly - unconcerned about anything else in the world except the music that's the soundtrack of her life. Needless to say, I was fascinated with the girl. To me, her movements, enhanced with the slow motion effects, were a expression of freedom and beauty that belonged to no one but herself.

The skater was Jay Curley/Jayzik Azikiwe, who later became a famous Dub poet and just recently passed away last February in Gambia. She had lived there for some time and was a well known benefactor of childrens' schools and artists.

Of course the song itself is great. Mark Knopfler's distinctive, jazzy guitar twang sounds as great as ever and evokes the perfect mood along with his Dylan-esque style vocals.

Dire Straits - "Skateaway"(1980)

NEW SINGER I'M DIGGING...GABRIELLA CILMI!

So I was listening to KCRW.com last week when I heard this great track called "Sanctuary" by upcoming singer-songwriter, Gabriella Cilmi. She's Australian but now living the UK. The version of "Sanctuary" that I heard was from the soundtrack for 2007 UK film, St Trinians. She's a little reminiscent of Amy Winehouse, so if you're a fan of the latter, then you will probably enjoy Cilmi. She may not be as talented as Winehouse but I believe she is still very young, 17 or 18, quite attractive and doesn't appear to have any substance abuse issues.

All I could find on You-Tube however, was a live version of the track.




And here is her current hit in the UK, Ireland, and Australia, "Sweet About Me"

Happy Valentine's Day: Perfecta

So I'm a pretty unsentimental bastard but occasionally a ray of sentiment shows itself. In this case, though my guilty pleasure for pop songs like this one by Miranda! and featuring Julieta Venegas, who's one of my favourite singer-song writers. Her talent for thoughtful lyrics and melody stretches across all borders and languages. She is the real deal.

They don't yet have a video with Julieta Venegas so this was the best I could find. The song is about friends that end up becoming life long lovers. "Perfecta" for Valentines Day. ¿Verdad?

Homicidal Clowns...

So the current song/video I can't get out of my melon is called 'Fluorescent Adolescent', a single that was released during the summer in the UK by those boys from Sheffield, The Arctic Monkeys. I love the song. It's a catchy tune about a woman whose love life has jumped the shark. As for the video, I don't know what it's about about. My guess is that it's about our own inner clown, or youth, that comes back to give us a right good thrashing for becoming such boring, old prats. Anyway, the violent imagery of Clowns and blokes beating the shite of each other is just plain good entertainment. Reminds me a little of A Clockwork Orange.

the guero's guilty pleasure

So to start of my first blog entry, I thought I would just start it out light and throw out a recent guilty pleasure. When driving I some times listen to Spanish radio stations and whilst doing so, I discovered this little ditty. No some of you, assuming any one is even reading this, may say, "Hey Guero...what the hell are you listening to?" I can only answer that I don't know...the song is quite infectious and I can't look away....although I do close my car windows so no one can hear what I am listening too. So without further ado, here they are: Belanova and their hit single "Baila Mi Corazón"...