Musical Notation
by George Rivera
Musical Notation
by George Rivera
Latin Marketeers Are Missing the Boat
July 30, 2000 - Vitin
Aviles, there’s a name from the past. Great voice! There are those that will
have you believe that the late Tito Rodriguez imitated his vocal delivery style.
The truth is that Tito was in fact Vitin’s teacher, coach and friend. Vitin
himself will tell you so. Anyway, back in the 70’s, while enjoying a comeback
of sorts, Vitin struck gold with the tune “La Hija De Lola”, which he
recorded with the late Charlie Palmieri. I’d like to paraphrase the opening
lyric which goes “Que le ha pasado, a la hija de Lola…” For the purposes
of this week’s commentary I’d change those lyrics to “Que le ha pasado, a
los viejos, feos y negros…” Why? Look around today’s musical landscape.
Need I say more?
It seems to me that the Latin music marketeers (I like this word since it rhymes
with racketeer), especially the Salsa/Tropical marketeers, have decided that
old, ugly and black is not acceptable today. Can it be that the old “adelanta
la raza, don’t marry darker than yourself” mentality has come up front and
center? I don’t know, but with such talented individuals as Adalberto
Santiago, Tito Allen, Nestor Sanchez, Rafael de Jesus, Josue Rosado, and Aris
Martinez, just to name a few, around and available, one has to wonder why the
consumer has to suffer through this drought of really good swing music. As a
matter of fact the industry itself has been slowly drying up as a result of the
bland music that is currently infesting the market.
Don’t believe me? Then just checkout the numbers for most of the music that is
available today. With the exception of a few artists sales are drastically down.
If you talk to the retailers they’ll tell you that most of the stuff that is
being released today is just occupying space on their shelves.
Still not a believer, have you surveyed the nightclub scene lately? Here in New
York City, the nightclub Capital of the salsero’s world, there are only two
major nightclubs in operation.
Still in doubt, Tom? Then why don’t you go and talk to the consumers. Take a
trip to your local record shop and ask the shoppers if they listen to the local
“salsa” station. Observe what they actually buy. You may be surprised at
what you’ll learn.
Over the last few weeks I’ve had the opportunity to observe groups like El
Gran Combo, Roberto Roena, Combinacion de Habana, Eddie Palmieri, Willie Rosario
and other viejos, feos y negros rock the respective houses where they have
appeared. I have witnessed countless record buyers purchasing more of the
reissued releases than those newly released. I’ve also learned that most of
the record buyers would rather listen to non-commercial radio than your local
commercial “flop-forty” salsa station.
Could it be that what the industry needs is una fiesta de viejos, feos y negros?
Maybe it’s time that the Latin music marketeers take notice. After all, it’s
their game…
La verdad es la verdad…
Hasta la
proxima, ciao…
NightLife in the City
Sunday, July 30
FREE Tono Rosario, Pena Suazo, Jon Secada, Son
By Four,
Victor Manuelle, Pablo Montero @ Flushing Meadow Park, Queens, NY
Monday, July 31
Johnny Pacheco & Monguito @
SOB's
Tuesday, August 1
FREE Yvette Glover, Son Boricua @ Robert F.
Wagner Park in Battery Park
For more info: (212) 416-5343 / (212) 416-5300
Wednesday, August 2
FREE Luis Damon, Ray Martinez @ South Street
Seaport, NYC
Orquesta Broadway @ La Maganette
Thursday, August 3
FREE SEASIDE SUMMER CONCERTS
featuring...
El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico,
Jerry Rivera, George Lamond, Limite 21
@ Seaside Park, Brighton Beach
Showtime 7:30pm
For more info: (718) 469-1912 or (718) 284-4700
Frankie Negron @ Latin Quarter
El Gran Combo @ Extravaganza
33-15 Broadway, Qns
For more info: (718) 565-6454
Friday, August 4
FREE Johnny Ray "Salsa Con Clase" @
World Trade Center Plaza
6:pm to 9:pm
Michael Stuart, Eddie Santiago, Eddie Torres
Dancers @ Latin Quarter
Saturday, August 5
FREE Los Soneros Del Barrio @ Roberto Clemente
Park
West Tremont Avenue & Matthewson Road, Bronx
6:pm - 7:30pm • For more info: 718-299-8750
Oro Solido, Cuco Valoy @ Latin Quarter
Sunday, August 6
FREE WILLIE COLON / BORICUA! FESTIVAL
A day-long festival of music, food & crafts in celebration
of Puerto Rican cultural heritage @ Prospect Park Bandshell
9th Street & Prospect Park West, Brooklyn
Tuesday, August 8
FREE Jovenes Del Barrio @ Lindsay Park,
Brooklyn 7:pm
FREE Jose Alberto "El Canario" @
Highbridge Park, Washington Heights, NYC
Wednesday, August 9
FREE Papo Vazquez, Jovenes Del Barrio @ South
Street Seaport, NYC 6-9:pm
FREE Cachao @ Sunset Park, Brooklyn 7:pm
Tipica Novel @ La Maganette
Friday, August 11
FREE Conjunto Imagen @ World Trade Center
Plaza 6:pm to 9:pm
Saturday, August 12
FREE Grupo Caribe @ Roberto Clemente Park
West Tremont Avenue & Matthewson Road, Bronx
6:pm - 7:30pm • For more info: 718-299-8750