tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436812892124383603.post8177153615778161402..comments2024-03-03T22:02:43.757-04:00Comments on Quiet Laughter: #BoTB — Día de Muertos special: LloronaGuilie Castillohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09006999087139126972noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436812892124383603.post-18178895217064635172015-11-07T16:11:02.005-04:002015-11-07T16:11:02.005-04:00I'm glad you enjoyed this, Hilary! Day of the ...I'm glad you enjoyed this, Hilary! Day of the Dead celebrations are so complex, so rife with historical and cultural implications and influences, that a single post—even a series of posts—could hardly do them justice. Maybe a book? (Now there's an idea ;) ) But I will be posting more on it, soon (ish), because it's so fascinating, and I'll look forward to hearing your feedback on those :)<br /><br />Thanks for the visit! (And apologies for the late response... Now that I'm back in Curaçao I'll catch up :) )Guilie Castillohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09006999087139126972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436812892124383603.post-79908307660732888722015-11-07T16:05:23.257-04:002015-11-07T16:05:23.257-04:00Thanks, Jeffrey! Your vote for Lila has been regis...Thanks, Jeffrey! Your vote for Lila has been registered :)Guilie Castillohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09006999087139126972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436812892124383603.post-20426156168760769282015-11-07T15:59:47.284-04:002015-11-07T15:59:47.284-04:00Cathy, you're not alone... Chabela *does* soun...Cathy, you're not alone... Chabela *does* sound like a man (I think it's on purpose, part of her way of challenging the status quo). Your vote for Lila's version is duly noted, and thanks so much for the good wishes!Guilie Castillohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09006999087139126972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436812892124383603.post-87237304042194807402015-11-06T09:59:59.380-04:002015-11-06T09:59:59.380-04:00I've now listened to the first one - which I p...I've now listened to the first one - which I positively loved ... I'll be back again to listen to the others ... but I suspect this is 'my one'! Cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436812892124383603.post-51531117280441970972015-11-04T04:39:43.384-04:002015-11-04T04:39:43.384-04:00Hi Guilie - I've left it open to come back and...Hi Guilie - I've left it open to come back and listen and to read your post more thoroughly. Loved the photo and then the information will add so much more ... <br /><br />I even had lack of internet connection for most of the time I was travelling here in the west country - it's still a challenge - I'm certain Mexico more so. Enjoy the travels and change of landscape etc ..<br /><br />Cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436812892124383603.post-9513139007524985752015-11-03T17:48:43.001-04:002015-11-03T17:48:43.001-04:00I like the Lila Downs version the best. It's m...I like the Lila Downs version the best. It's much shorter than the first one, but that's only secondary. I prefer the singing in the second one and the instrumental bits. Have a good time in Mexico.Jeffrey Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06973104877310669196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436812892124383603.post-79358576488250173552015-11-03T15:48:59.811-04:002015-11-03T15:48:59.811-04:00Guile, I think we watched this movie on Netflix, b...Guile, I think we watched this movie on Netflix, but I certainly don't remember the song. *sigh* Oh well...the first contender I really didn't care too much for and honestly, if you hadn't told me this was a woman singing then I'd swear it was a man. The second contender was the better of the two, so I'm giving my vote to <b>Lila Downs</b>, but like Robin said you won't find either of these on my playlist. It just don't my style, but I certainly appreciated hearing them through the BoTB. Have safe travels!Cathy Kennedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01056276734145310231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436812892124383603.post-62203400243280143942015-11-03T13:42:58.056-04:002015-11-03T13:42:58.056-04:00Very interesting way to make a decision, Robin... ...Very interesting way to make a decision, Robin... Emotional involvement by the performer. Compelling voice rather than 'beautiful'. I like it. And I'm sure Chabela would, too. Another vote for Ms. Vargas!<br /><br />Thanks for the visit, Robin. I'm way behind on the rounds this week... Internet access in Mexico hasn't been very welcoming, so I'm having issues connecting, loading videos, playing them. But I'm catching up :)Guilie Castillohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09006999087139126972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436812892124383603.post-27465509936684108572015-11-03T13:40:13.932-04:002015-11-03T13:40:13.932-04:00Gotcha, Mike. One more vote for Chabela!Gotcha, Mike. One more vote for Chabela!Guilie Castillohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09006999087139126972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436812892124383603.post-85094859300064839522015-11-03T13:39:39.682-04:002015-11-03T13:39:39.682-04:00Mr. Ellipsis! Okee doke, one more vote for Ms. Var...Mr. Ellipsis! Okee doke, one more vote for Ms. Vargas. The second one was the only one in the contest (vs. the Lila + mariachi that you hated). Sometimes it does come down to which version annoys the least, doesn't it?<br /><br />Thanks for the visit!Guilie Castillohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09006999087139126972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436812892124383603.post-78428281280075372312015-11-03T13:37:44.712-04:002015-11-03T13:37:44.712-04:00Haha... Glad to see Lee's influence at work, C...Haha... Glad to see Lee's influence at work, Cherdo ;) I'm sure Lila would be honored. Got you down for Ms. Downs!Guilie Castillohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09006999087139126972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436812892124383603.post-6724704849012622512015-11-03T13:36:43.140-04:002015-11-03T13:36:43.140-04:00Wow, Janie—¡tu español es fantástico! And wow, too...Wow, Janie—¡tu español es fantástico! And wow, too, on what you pointed out about Chabela's version reflecting Kahlo's work... Frida really was an amazing artist. Her paintings have such huge heart that it's weird to think of them being so small in actual, physical, size. <br /><br />Another vote for the emotion-packed Vargas version! Thanks for the visit, Janie... I'm way behind on my rounds due to limited internet access, but I'm catching up. Slowly, but surely :)Guilie Castillohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09006999087139126972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436812892124383603.post-16997263950191113402015-11-03T13:32:17.228-04:002015-11-03T13:32:17.228-04:00Lee, how delightful to have had Lila playing nearb...Lee, how delightful to have had Lila playing nearby! I've never seen her live, but I'm sure it must be a wonderful experience. Though, yes, I might've hesitated on the day-long thing, too... I'm not a big fan of crowds. The experience must've been wonderful, nonetheless.<br /><br />I'm with you on the proposed mix-up: Lila with Chabela's guitar back-up would make a fabulous version. And yes, Chabela's voice isn't exactly what one would call easy listening... One more vote for Lila :)<br /><br />Thanks for the visit! Will be by your place sometime this afternoon :)Guilie Castillohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09006999087139126972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436812892124383603.post-69833636880665645182015-11-03T13:29:18.245-04:002015-11-03T13:29:18.245-04:00I'm very, very pleased you enjoyed this, Birgi...I'm very, very pleased you enjoyed this, Birgit! It's always hard to make a choice when the music (and genre!) is not only unfamiliar but also in a foreign language... I love your reasoning, though, and how you evaluated both. Got your vote down for Chabela :) Thanks for the visit! (And my apologies for the late response... I'm traveling in Mexico with limited internet access, so I'm late-late-late. But catching up :) )Guilie Castillohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09006999087139126972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436812892124383603.post-43470499819367838592015-11-03T12:48:02.129-04:002015-11-03T12:48:02.129-04:00Oftentimes I render my vote based on which version...Oftentimes I render my vote based on which version I'd listen to more often. In this case, that really isn't going to work for me. I don't think I'd put either of these on my IPod. So, that changes my own standard of deciding. I think the first one was more emotional. It was obvious even to me, who didn't understand any of the words, that the singer was really moved by the message. I don't think her voice is the most beautiful, but it was compelling. So, I give it to Chabela Vargas.Robinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14932408372240147454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436812892124383603.post-54153068351202343422015-11-03T00:34:34.385-04:002015-11-03T00:34:34.385-04:00Cool, Michele! Got you down for Chabela. You make ...Cool, Michele! Got you down for Chabela. You make a good point: sometimes it's not about a voice (or a guitar, or whatever) being better than another one, but rather that the <i>combination</i> works better, or brings more magic, or... something :)<br /><br />Thanks for the visit! Guilie Castillohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09006999087139126972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436812892124383603.post-79448549421986087332015-11-02T20:01:29.638-04:002015-11-02T20:01:29.638-04:00I'm glad it felt like a tough choice, Debbie.....I'm glad it felt like a tough choice, Debbie... I haven't decided my own vote yet, and I'm really wavering, but I thought it might be because of the added links, emotion-wise, that either singer has for me... so your own indecision felt like validation. Thank you for that ;) And the first vote goes to Lila! You're right, Chabela's is more fraught with heavy emotion, which can make it a tough listen... Unless you're sitting in a <i>cantina</i>, halfway through a bottle of tequila :D<br /><br />Thanks for the visit, Debbie! Nov 9th can't get here fast enough ;)Guilie Castillohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09006999087139126972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436812892124383603.post-13541433848826436142015-11-02T04:10:11.744-04:002015-11-02T04:10:11.744-04:00Chabela Vargas gets my vote I enjoyed that version...Chabela Vargas gets my vote I enjoyed that version of the song better than Lila Downs.Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08000518512016364412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436812892124383603.post-33728562657386753452015-11-02T02:45:26.310-04:002015-11-02T02:45:26.310-04:00Voting for Vargas. Not sure which one though. She...Voting for Vargas. Not sure which one though. She seems younger in the first one, sadder in the second one. <br /><br />The Downs one annoyed me with the male backing vocals. I think it might be the worst of the four.<br /><br />The Leon version is too slow or pausy or something.Elliptical Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02516754757484718622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436812892124383603.post-18614115538906603252015-11-01T19:42:18.154-04:002015-11-01T19:42:18.154-04:00Oh, Lila Downs all the way. Lee made me a convert ...Oh, Lila Downs all the way. Lee made me a convert on that one. Love this battle!Cherdohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00264612202714933480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436812892124383603.post-26216415073704137832015-11-01T18:21:55.523-04:002015-11-01T18:21:55.523-04:00Yo quiero Chavela Vargas. Es muy hermosa. Está toc...Yo quiero Chavela Vargas. Es muy hermosa. Está tocando emocional. Frida Kahlo es el más grande pintor. I feel her work when I listen to the music, so I vote for Chavela Vargas.<br /><br />Love,<br />JanieJanie Junebughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10573607241326291404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436812892124383603.post-65997962943351227822015-11-01T17:29:30.809-04:002015-11-01T17:29:30.809-04:00The Vargas version certain is sung with a lot of e...The Vargas version certain is sung with a lot of emotion and I like the simplicity of the guitar back-up.<br /><br />As you probably already know I'm a big Lila Downs fan. Her voice is easier for me to take than the other singer. I'm not as fond of the mariachi band back up on this particular song, but over all it is delivered well. <br /><br />This is rather difficult. Ideally I'd have Lila singing with the guitarist on the other one, but taking all things into consideration I have to vote for the incredible Lila Downs.<br /><br />By the way, Downs was playing yesterday I think it was here in Los Angeles at a cemetery for a Día de Muertos festivity. They had several musical artists and other festivities. I was tempted to go, but it takes a lot to get me out of the house sometimes. Also it was an all day affair outdoors and I wasn't too up on that. Downs also performed at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood on September 19th--that I would have been tempted to go see but I didn't find out about it until after the fact.<br /><br />Anyway, again my vote is for Lila Downs.<br /><br />Arlee Bird<br /><a href="http://tossingitout.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Tossing It Out</a><br />Arlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436812892124383603.post-75716482584159766582015-11-01T16:12:58.116-04:002015-11-01T16:12:58.116-04:00Oh I love this song! It is so rich and beautiful b...Oh I love this song! It is so rich and beautiful but I am one who loves folk songs from different countries. This is hard for me to pick because the first one is so rich and one hears the intense feelings while the other brings in instruments that people from other countries would know more with the country of Mexico. Now it all goes down to which one I would listen more to. The problem is I would listen to both but I think I shall give it to Lila Downs....nope scratch that...I must go with Chavela's rendition. It has so much spirit and I think that is reflective not only of what the song represents but also of these 2 days in honour of the Dead so she gets my vote. Her voice is hauntingBirgithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09439720285857050428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436812892124383603.post-10041868026161089882015-11-01T14:55:17.244-04:002015-11-01T14:55:17.244-04:00I like Chebela Vargas' version best. I don'...I like Chebela Vargas' version best. I don't know that I like her voice better but I do like the music better. She has put so much heart and emotion into the song. Interesting back stories and cultural interpretation of the Day of the Dead. <br />I'm listening to Lila Downs again now but I'm very drawn to the emotion in Chebela's version so my vote goes to her.<br />Michele at <a href="http://angelsbark.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow">Angels Bark</a>Michele at Angels Bark https://www.blogger.com/profile/15891713963440451090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436812892124383603.post-59688712849995506172015-11-01T10:55:03.966-04:002015-11-01T10:55:03.966-04:00What a fascinating history lesson. That was enthra...What a fascinating history lesson. That was enthralling, Guilie! The legend of La Llorona reminds me of the German legend of Lorelei. Coincidentally, Chavela Vargas' voice is reminiscent of Marlene Dietrich's. Her rendition is fraught with emotion and you can't help being drawn to it. On the other hand, Lila Downs also has a good voice and I like the Mariachi style of the arrangement. Tough battle......must listen to both again!<br />Okay, I'm voting for Lila Downs. Her version is easier to listen to. Chavela's is so heartwrenching, it gets emotionally exhausting.<br /><br />Thanks for the mention! Looking forward to Nov, 9. ☺<br />Debbie D. https://www.blogger.com/profile/13153118405565035071noreply@blogger.com