Flying fingers, flashing right hand, dramatic crescendoes of sound on a guitar that drums and sings, laments and cries out.
Songs in .mp3:
Review of Rodolfo Pino-Robles new cd 'Alegria' (Joy) by the musicologist, Dr. David L. Kaplan:
Travelling through the exciting world of Latin American music is an exhilarating and rewarding experience. One may encounter the "joropo",the national dance of Venezuela; or "k'antu", Bolivian zampona (panpipe) music; or the "sanjuan", songs of the Quechua peoples of Ecuador; or the cueca Chilean folk-dance; the unique choral singing among several cultures in Brazil and the Jivaro of Peru; the "mariachi" string/trumpet ensembles of Mexico; the marimbas of Guatemala; the Cuban rumba drum ensembles.
So, it was with great anticipation that I approached Rodolfo Pino-Robles's new CD, Alegria. As I listened to the fifteen tracks, I was transported in an instant to Paraguay, then to Moorish Spain with its mix of Arab and Spanish musical elements, and then to Venezuela with its mestizo influence and its special mix of Spanish and indigenous melody. Eight of the fifteen tracks are vocals and here the poems range from light and gay, to a sad lament, to a love song, or to a picture of a horseback stroll. Flamenco rhythms and other energetic moments contrast with the slower contemplative sections. Sensitivity, spirituality, love, and the acknowledgement of the aspirations of indigenous peoples are the cornerstones of this intriguing CD. Rodolfo Pino-Robles's guitar playing is controlled and refined, his singing touching and with conviction.
I am reminded of the great Chilean musician, Victor Jara; the multi-faceted artist/musician, Violetta Para of Uruguay and Chile; the Argentinian Atahualpha Yupanqui; and the music of the Andes as represented by the Bolivian group, Rumillajta. Rodolfo Pino-Robles with his evocative music and poetry joins this illustrious group in crying out against injustice. Teacher, poet, performer, and musician, Rodolfo Pino-Robles is currently President of the Saskatchewan Intercultural Association and Assistant Professor of Native Studies at the University of Saskatchewan. His CD is a welcome addition to the world of Latin American music. Bravo!!!
- David L. Kaplan, Saskatoon
September, 2000
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photo:
Harvey Knight
