My relationship with organized religion has been a rocky one. I grew up in an evangelical home. I read my Bible often, prayed daily, and went to Bible school every Sunday. My parents did not dare miss a church service. When I began to slowly distance myself from our church, I didn't walk away from everything I had learned; I simply began to think more for myself rather than saying yea and amen to anything the church minister said. To this day, I continue to indulge in my spirituality. I seek meaning and understanding not just from scriptures, but from encounters with people, nature, and in music.
There have been many a great messengers who I believe spoke truth in their music sometimes in their lyrics or through their instruments. Some of these contemporary luminaries are the likes of Bob Marley, John Lennon, and Pink Floyd just to name a few. In the Latin world, we also have a number of musicians who in their devotion to perfect their craft composed some tunes that resonated in the hearts of many and continues to influence one generation after another. They produced what I like to call Salsism or Salsianity, a non-canonical compilation of Salsa songs that speak to different people in different ways.
Salsism began spreading during the 60's and 70's throughout Latin and Central America and the Caribbean . The debate is still out on when or where the movement began gaining converts/dancers. Some say it originated in Cuba , others say it started in Puerto Rico, and another group claims that it finally came together as a gospel in New York City
Unfortunately, because Morocco
Like other faiths, its meaning is incomprehensible. You can devote time to unraveling the hidden messages within the lyrics, but it is not a requirement for one to devote any time at all to that. Actually, some of our most fervent followers don't understand a word of what is being sung, but they attend congregational meetings regularly and display their zeal on the dance floor whether it be in Cuban, Puerto Rican, Ballroom, or pegadito (nice-n-close) style. If you were to ask most salseros about their passion for the music, I think many would agree that it's more about what you do rather than what you believe.
One way we exhibit that passion is to partake in general congregational meetings where you can hear the gospel truth sung by a soulful sonero and where more often than not alcohol is served in abundance. The eclectic mix of African drums, indigenous chants, and the smooth brass of NYC's jazz influence creates an intoxicating magical fusion of captivating beats and rhythms complemented with heartfelt lyrics that quite often leave people with the insatiable need for more. Dancing is not a requirement, but it is highly recommended for anyone wishing to experience the transcendence of moving in unison with the music and the partner of your choice--it is important to note that in this particular instance too much alcohol can work against you if you wish to reach this transcendent state.
On my last blog I shared a tidbit of my credo sung by one of the all-time great soneros of the 20th century, Hector Lavoe. He is one of the many soneros who we salseros believe to have interpreted some profound messages often written by Willie Colon and Ruben Blades that were then delivered through salsa. A lot of gospel truth emerged during the 60's and 70's in what many call the Golden Age of Salsa. Lavoe, Willie Colon, Ruben Blades, Celia Cruz, Ismael Rivera, El Gran Combo, Grupo Niche, and Oscar de Leon are just a few of some of the most prolific interpreters during Salsism's Golden Age. The songs they sung are so timeless that the studios continue to enhance them, new soneros like Marc Anthony remake them, and DJs continue to remix them. It's impossible to outline all the values of Salsism: first, because as I said, it's too encompassing to be narrowed down to a few phrases; and second, doing so would result in a biased, incomplete, and woefully inadequate interpretation. There's only one way to experience transcendence. You can't take my word for it; you have to go there yourself.
So without further ado, here are a number of songs from some of the most devout interpreters of Salsism:
1) "El Todopoderoso" by Hector Lavoe
A tribute to the All-Mighty, but cautions people to keep their beliefs to themselves.
2) "Todo Tiene Su Final" by Hector Lavoe
Sings of the bloom and withering of a beautiful flower and the rise and fall of a world champion to remind all that nothing lasts forever. Carpe diem!
3) "El Cantante" by Hector Lavoe written by Ruben Blades
Talks about the life of a famous singer who many envy and believe to be the happiest man alive. Yet, throughout the song he claims that he is like everyone else. He suffers and has had hard times that have hurt deeply; however, no one asks or wants to know. He is told and he knows quite well that he is a singer. His role is to sing and to bring joy to the people.
4) "Plastico" by Ruben Blades (This video has lyrics translated into English and shows a number of congregational meetings)
Talks of rejecting materialism and the illusion of social class.
5) "El Gran Baron" by Willie Colon
"No se puede corregir a la naturaleza, palo que nace doblao', jamas su tronco endereza." (You can't correct/change nature. A tree that grows bent, never does it's trunk straighten.) The song interprets this famous dicho(saying) by telling the story of the only son of a rich man who will one day be heir to his father's fortune. The young man is sent abroad to study, and while away from his father's constant gaze, he "comes out of the closet". One day the father decides to make a surprise visit to his son. The young man dressed in women's clothes and makeup greets his father on the street. The father is appalled and disowns his son. Years later, the young man dies all alone in a hospital. His father after so many years wonders about the fate of his only son and inquires about him only to learn that he passed away. Another famous dicho is added towards the end, "Si del cielo te cae limones, aprende hacer limonada" (If the heavens send you lemons, learn to make lemonade).
6) "Pedro Navaja" by Ruben Blades
In this song, Blades tells the story of a street hustler and a prostitute working the same street. The hustler decides to assault the prostitute. The prostitute is stabbed, but before she collapses she fires her revolver and shoots the hustler. Both die and then a drunk man passes by tripping over them, grabs the revolver, a few coins that were on the sidewalk, and then says: "La vida te da sorpresas; sorpresas te da la vida ay Dios" (Literally, life surprises you; colloquially, shit happens.)
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As with any message that is being delivered, one should strive to understand the context in which it was written. Many Salsism gospel songs criticize or comment on the Latin American machismo, rampant crime, corruption, and a host of other societal ills. I've tried not to interject my interpretation of the songs because I think everyone should determine meaning for themselves. I've provided only brief synapses of the lyrics, but even my translations and summaries should not be taken completely to heart.
I cannot tell you what to do with the gospel that has been shared. Some feel the need to tell all. As for me, I prefer to live by example attending congregational meetings on a regular basis and inviting anyone in search of truth and transcendence. Now that I am down to my last month of Peace Corps service, I can't wait to reunite with fellow salseros. Perhaps years down the road, I will return to Morocco to partake of the festivities of what I hope will be one of the biggest congregational meetings ever.
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For the closest congregational meeting in your neck of the woods, check out Salsadancecongresses.com or http://www.salsapower.com/
Also, to continue to hear more gospel truth, these days you can stream live salsa from Live365, Pandora, or Spotify. You'll also find that once you type Hector Lavoe or Willie Colon on YouTube the names of other salsa greats come up. Good luck in your search! Keep listening and keep dancing!
A tribute to the All-Mighty, but cautions people to keep their beliefs to themselves.
2) "Todo Tiene Su Final" by Hector Lavoe
Sings of the bloom and withering of a beautiful flower and the rise and fall of a world champion to remind all that nothing lasts forever. Carpe diem!
3) "El Cantante" by Hector Lavoe written by Ruben Blades
Talks about the life of a famous singer who many envy and believe to be the happiest man alive. Yet, throughout the song he claims that he is like everyone else. He suffers and has had hard times that have hurt deeply; however, no one asks or wants to know. He is told and he knows quite well that he is a singer. His role is to sing and to bring joy to the people.
4) "Plastico" by Ruben Blades (This video has lyrics translated into English and shows a number of congregational meetings)
Talks of rejecting materialism and the illusion of social class.
5) "El Gran Baron" by Willie Colon
"No se puede corregir a la naturaleza, palo que nace doblao', jamas su tronco endereza." (You can't correct/change nature. A tree that grows bent, never does it's trunk straighten.) The song interprets this famous dicho(saying) by telling the story of the only son of a rich man who will one day be heir to his father's fortune. The young man is sent abroad to study, and while away from his father's constant gaze, he "comes out of the closet". One day the father decides to make a surprise visit to his son. The young man dressed in women's clothes and makeup greets his father on the street. The father is appalled and disowns his son. Years later, the young man dies all alone in a hospital. His father after so many years wonders about the fate of his only son and inquires about him only to learn that he passed away. Another famous dicho is added towards the end, "Si del cielo te cae limones, aprende hacer limonada" (If the heavens send you lemons, learn to make lemonade).
6) "Pedro Navaja" by Ruben Blades
In this song, Blades tells the story of a street hustler and a prostitute working the same street. The hustler decides to assault the prostitute. The prostitute is stabbed, but before she collapses she fires her revolver and shoots the hustler. Both die and then a drunk man passes by tripping over them, grabs the revolver, a few coins that were on the sidewalk, and then says: "La vida te da sorpresas; sorpresas te da la vida ay Dios" (Literally, life surprises you; colloquially, shit happens.)
------
As with any message that is being delivered, one should strive to understand the context in which it was written. Many Salsism gospel songs criticize or comment on the Latin American machismo, rampant crime, corruption, and a host of other societal ills. I've tried not to interject my interpretation of the songs because I think everyone should determine meaning for themselves. I've provided only brief synapses of the lyrics, but even my translations and summaries should not be taken completely to heart.
I cannot tell you what to do with the gospel that has been shared. Some feel the need to tell all. As for me, I prefer to live by example attending congregational meetings on a regular basis and inviting anyone in search of truth and transcendence. Now that I am down to my last month of Peace Corps service, I can't wait to reunite with fellow salseros. Perhaps years down the road, I will return to Morocco to partake of the festivities of what I hope will be one of the biggest congregational meetings ever.
---------
For the closest congregational meeting in your neck of the woods, check out Salsadancecongresses.com or http://www.salsapower.com/
Also, to continue to hear more gospel truth, these days you can stream live salsa from Live365, Pandora, or Spotify. You'll also find that once you type Hector Lavoe or Willie Colon on YouTube the names of other salsa greats come up. Good luck in your search! Keep listening and keep dancing!
