More importantly, Mercedes Sosa was a key figure of the 'Nueva Cancion' movement of the 70's and 80's, where Latin American singers such as Violetta Parra, Silvio Rodriguez, Caetano Veloso and Victor Jara sang songs of protest against the corrupt governments that killed and kidnapped their own people, and actively censored and moved against the artists that tried to represent oppressed populations in song.
Affectionately known as 'La Negra' (The Black One, a reference to her indigenous roots), Mercedes Sosa lived a life of exile after persecution from the Argentine junta, winning international acclaim. She produced more than 70 albums.
I have listened to Mercedes Sosa for most of my life, and had the fortune of seeing and hearing her live in London more than a year ago. She was in good form, though visibly in bad health, and sang all the old classics that my mother had introduced to me when I was younger. As she sang the more traditional songs from her home province of Tucuman, the Argentines in the audience all got up and began dancing. She was so moved by all the applause, shouts, and dancing that she actually got up out of the chair that she always sits in when she sings and shuffled around a little to the great joy of all of us, before she sat back down, exhausted by the effort. Everyone in the auditorium, I believe, was aware of what a blessing it was to see a figure so important to Latin Americans everywhere, especially abroad where it was clear that she wouldn't be coming back anytime soon.
I'll finish this entry with a quote from an interview with the Washington Post: "Human beings have to resolve their own problems. But music can console people who suffer from problems, and perhaps it can inspire people to try to solve their problems. Singers have to sing whatever they believe in. They have to stay true to themselves. These are the songs I believe in, so I have to keep singing them."
If you are not familiar with her, get on youtube now and just have a listen. I'll list some of my favorites.
Cancion de las Simples Cosas - A tender and wonderful song about how all of life and our memories, whether happy or sad, consists of little things.
Alfonsina y el Mar: A song written by Ariel Ramirez and Felix Luna about feminist poet Alfonsina Storni, who drowned herself.
La Maza: An arrangement of a Silvio Rodriguez song about the importance of social resistance, made from 'the dough' of the people.
Todo Cambia: A love song. It's a good one.
Posted on October 4, 2009
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