[Song Review #125] "Cógele bien el compás" by Lisa Ono
Hi. Today's song is "Cógele bien el compás" (Catch the beat well)(?) by "Lisa Ono".
To be honest with you, the translation of the song title was helped by Google translate, since it was beyond our ability.
So, we are not sure if it makes sense with you or not. Please ask someone around you understand Spanish, about the right meaning of the title. (If possible, please also whisper to us. Thank you ♥)
And today's article is bit long. So, Please jump to the sample link corner from here to listen to the song first.
Some articles have been put away in a " ▼Memo " tab in each section, so please click it to read.
If the " ▼Memo " tab does not open, please enable the Java script in your browser.
Thank you.
Song data
| Title | Cógele bien el compás |
|---|---|
| Artist | Lisa Ono |
| Album Title | |
| Catalog Number | TOCT-25701 |
| Track No. | 9 |
| Duration | 3:02 |
| Released | 2005 |
| Publisher | |
| Lyricist | Not found |
| Composer | |
| Arranger |
About the creators
Not foundLyricist
Not found
We have tried to find the name of a lyricist, but could not find so far.
This song seems to be written in early 50s, by "Enrique Jorrín" who was a Cuban violinist, band leader, and composer. (will touch in the next section.)
As far as we see, the lyrics was already existed when the music was born. Because, artists were singing them even in the 50s records.
Anyway, we would like to continue to look for some more information, and update this article if we find any.
Enrique JorrínComposer
"Enrique Jorrín" was a composer, music director, band leader, and a violinist of Cuban dance music "Chalanga" *.
* About Chalanga
(We've listened some figurative bands like "Maravillas de Florida", "Pacheco y Su Charanga" on Youtube, for study about "Chalanga". Yes, they are very nice, and enjoyable.)
And he is often referred as a inventor of a dance music "Cha-cha-chá" originated form Cuba.
Here is a useful video clip about "Cha-cha-chá". If you like, please have look.
Youtube.com:
"Cha cha cha lesson
Early times
"Enrique Jorrín" was born in 1926, in a Cuban town called "Candelaria", which locates in between capital Havana and a western city of "Pinar del Rio".
His family then moved to "El Cerro", neighboring town of Havana when he was small. And "Enrique Jorrín" lived there for the most of his life.
He studied music at the Municipal Conservatory of Havana, and after graduation, he started his music career as a violinist.
In 1941, after experiencing few bands, he joined "Arcaño y sus Maravillas", which is a "Chalanga" band later become a very successful unit.
And around mid 40s, "Enrique Jorrín" moved to a same type of band called "Orquesta América" which was formed in 1942 by singer Ninón Mondéjar and few other members.
And by 1946, he became leading the band musically, by a request from the band founder "Ninón Mondéjar".
Blooming
In the early '50s, Enrique Jorrín began to release songs in new style dance music, which later called "Cha-cha-chá".
And in 1953, he released his, and "Cha-cha-chá"s signature song "La engañadora" through "Orquesta América"s album "Ritmo Cha Cha Cha Vol. No.1".
Orquesta de Enrique Jorrín
In 1954, "Orquesta America" moved to Mexico due to a contract to perform in there for some time.
But before coming back to Havana on the same year, there was a a bit of talks within the band, and "Enrique Jorrin" decided to leave at the end of the day.
He remained in Mexico, and formed a new band, namely "Enrique Jorrin Y Su Orquesta" or "Orquesta de Enrique Jorrín", and continued to release nice music for a long time.
Cógele bien el compás
Just for your interest, here is a song "Cógele bien el compás" performed by "Orquesta Enrique Jorrin".
We are not sure about the year of recording on this, but sounds old and lovely.
If you like, please try.
"Cógele bien el compás"
(Afro Cuban Roots Presents
Rhythms of Cuba, Vol.5)
2008
by "Orquesta de Enrique Jorrín"
(Ref: Wikipedia-en, Enrique Jorrín)
(Ref: herencialatina.com,
Semblanza de Enrique Jorrin)
(Ref: ecured.cu, Orquesta_América)
(Ref: ecured.cu, Enrique Jorrín)
Video clip
Finally, here is a video clip of "Cógele bien el compás" peformed by a Mexican pop group "Dekada Band" in 2016.
It's a fairly modern arrangement compared with the "Orquesta de Enrique Jorrín"s. But it still maintains happy, optimistic feeling.
If you like, please listen.
* "Cógele bien el compás -
Dekada Band"
Oscar Castro-NevesArranger
Oscar Castro-Neves was a Brazilian guitarist, composer, arranger and producer.
He was known as one of the pioneers of a Brazil-born popular music genre, "Bossa nova", due to his outstanding contribution to it, from the very beginning of the category.
Early years
Oscar Castro-Neves was born to a musical family in Rio de Janeiro, in 1940.
Because his mother was a guitarist, and his uncle was cellist, he absorbed a musical sense and playing skills from them in childhood.
Oscar soon formed a a quartet with his brothers in the mid '50s. The band became popular around Rio de Janeiro, and thanks to it, their name was already recognized by Mr.Antônio Carlos Jobim, who was already rising as a leading musician of Bossa Nova.
One day, Jobim visited a garage, where Castro-Neves were always rehearsing. So, core of Bossa Nova might be formed through those interaction.
On the other hand, in 1956 when he was 16, wrote a song titled "Chora Tua Tristeza" (Cry Your Sadness) with having a support from his lyricist friend.
This song was later recorded by a Brazilian singer "Alaide Costa" in 1960 for the first time, as one track on her second album "Canta Suavemente(Sings Softly)".
Carnegie Hall
Since then, Oscar Castro-Neves gradually came to the fore in the Brazilian music society.
And finally in 1962, he successfully become one of the performer at a monumental "First in the US, Bossa nova major concert at Carnegie Hall in 1962".
For this concert, many of leading Brazilian Bossa nova artists, (please cheek the list linked in the above for names), were participated. And collaborated with strong American Jazz musicians like, "Stan Getz", "Lalo Schifrin", "Gary McFarland" and others.
It was in fact a historic concert, since the word "Bossa Nova" and its music started to be international afterwards.
Oops...
Sorry, a section is getting too long.
Please allow us to continue on this for the next time.
(Ref: Wikipedia, Oscar Castro-Neves )
(Ref: latimes.com,
Oscar Castro-Neves dies at 73.)
(Ref: musicabrasileira.org,
Paul Winter & Oscar Castro-Neves.)
(Ref: oglobo.globo.com, Morre Oscar Castro Neves)🇧🇷
(Ref: allmusic.com,
Oscar Castro-Neves Biography by Alvaro Neder )
Video clip
Finally, here is a video clip of a popular Bossa Nova number "Double Rainbow" performed by Oscar Castro-Neves at "Nashville Jazz Workshop" in 2010.
"Double Rainbow" was originally written as a vocal music by Antônio Carlos Jobim (music) and Gene Lees (lyrics), for Stan Getz's 1976 album, "The Best of Two Worlds".
But later in 1980, Antônio Carlos Jobim released an instrumental version of "Double Rainbow" on his album "Terra Brasilis".
So, the performance of Oscar Castro-Neves on this clip is the latter, instrumental version.
Please have a look if you like.
* "Double Rainbow - Oscar Castro-Neves"
"Paul Winter Consort"
And, this isn't directly related to the subject, but once in earlier post, we have referred to a Jazz, Newage group "Paul Winter Consort". which "Oscar Castro-Neves" used to belong to.
The post is No.120. Topic is in "About the artist" section. If you like, please check.
Cover art today
Song image & Lyrics
Open
Link to the lyrics
Copyright notice on the lyrics link
Sound impression
Smart & warm Samba
This song seems to be a gentle & warm, Samba arranged Cuban dance music, but has some Bossa nova flavor.
merry
The acoustic piano, bass, and soft strokes on the Ride cymbal begin a glorious introduction. Then, soon the acoustic guitar and percussion join, and start main part.
"Lisa Ono"s soft relaxing vocal, and healthy active chorus are playing on a spring sunshine like warm and gentle melody
And the last part of this song is almost pure Samba.
About the artist
Lisa Ono"Venus" of Bossa Nova
"Lisa Ono" is a Brazilian born Japanese singer, songwriter, and guitarist active mainly in Latin, and Brazilian vocal music including Bossa Nova, since 1988.
And it seems she is also keen to perform world, or ethnic music now a days.
She debuted in 1989 with single "You're so unique". Since then, 9 singles, and 33 original, plus 12 best albums have been released until now.
It's been 30 years since she debuted. And she is doubtlessly one of the leading artist of Brazilian music, not only in Japan, but also in Asia.
Brazil years
"Lisa Ono" was born in Brazil to a Japanese parents, who were living in São Paulo, and operating a live music restaurant for locals.
Because of her father's business, there were always high quality live music around her.
She was grown up in such a gorgeous environment, and absorbed an essence of Brazilian music, as well as local language Portuguese.
When she was 10 years old, her father decided to open new restaurant in Tokyo.
Then her families returned to Japan. For her, moving to an unknown country first time in life.
Before debut
Thanks to her father, who quickly opened an Brazilian live music restaurant in Tokyo, her very rich music environment was maintained.
She studied various instruments from skilled professionals when she was a juvenile. But when she was 15, began to learn the guitar in more committed stance.
She began to perform initially from his fathers Live music restaurant.
(Just as an aside, the name of restaurant is "Saci Perere", and is perfectly operating even now. It is in Tokyo, so if you like, please visit.)
But after some time, she started to show performance also in outside venue like Bars, or hotel lounges.
Soon, her lovely performance gathered attentions, and a few record companies contacted to her.
And finally in 1989, she debuted in Japan as a rare Bossa nova singer.
After debut
Japanese are the people love music like Bossa nova. So, there were already few Japanese singers of Bossa nova and they were fairly popular.
But "Lisa Ono"s Bossa was in a different class, we felt like that when listened her songs first.
Then her popularity started going up.
Award winning
Even singing Brazilian songs in Portuguese, she quick took off as an authentic Bossa nova artist.
Quite a few of her songs were used for TV advertising, or theme music, or BGM.
And finally in 1991, "Japan Gold Disc Award, Jazz Album award" were given for her 3rd album "Nanã" (Nanan).
She received the same award again in the next year. Thanks to these success, she completely established her position, and often called as a "Queen of Bossa nova" now a days.
Romance Latino(2005)
Today's album, "Romance Latino vol.1", is the first part of her "Romance Latino" series, which comprises 3 albums.
A theme for whole series is "Latin". All the songs, (or materials?) selected were standard numbers of Latin, which most of them were released from '50s to the '60s.
And each of 3 albums has been given a different sub-theme, namely, "Sophisticate" for the 1st, "Romantico" for the 2nd, and "Caliente"(warmth) for the 3rd.
Then "Lisa Ono" rearranges songs in accordance with the theme, and performs them in her style.
Arrangers are "Oscar Castro Neves" for the 1st and 2nd albums, and Japanese Jazz musician "Tōru Nakajima" and Latin musician "mUcho Isamu Eda", for the 3rd album.
If you have a chance, please try a whole series.
Thank you.
(Ref: nikkeibp.co.jp, Lisa Ono interview)🇯🇵
Video clip
Finally, here is a video clip of a slow, calm & tender ballad,"Anata-no wasuremono" (Things left behind by you), performed by Lisa Ono in 2013.
This maybe a Japanese version of "Saudade". It has got a beautiful, but slightly wistful typical Japanese melody.
(Lyrics&melody: written by "Masao Oki". But we guess this person is a famous actor "Shōta Morikawa".)
"Lisa Ono" had not been usually singing songs with Japanese lyrics. But since around 2010, it seems she started singing.
This song was selected as a theme music for a popular all-night radio program "Radio Shinya-bin" from Jan. to Mar. 2013. (It is supposed to be switched every 2 months.)
(Just for your information, "Shinya-bin" means, night-coach, night train, night-flight, night-freight...whatever, a kind of nightly mass transport system. I assume.)
Because, "Shinya-bin" is a popular program, and the song was nicely fit with its mid-night atmosphere. Therefore, the song was well supported by wide range of listeners.
If you like, please listen.
* "Anata-no wasuremono"
(Things left behind by you)
Music Samples
9
(試聴する)
AD: Listening samples (Free)
Amazon JP(en)
recochoku.jp
Tower records online
Apple Music(jp)
9
Japanese Letters
| Song Title | Cógele bien el compás |
|---|---|
| Artist | 小野リサ(Lisa Ono) |
| Album Title | Romance Latino, Vol. 1 Los Boleros al estilo de Bossanova |
Comments