Wednesday, July 9, 2008

MTV Unplugged

On March 6th, Julieta Venegas recorded her MTV Unplugged at the Churubusco Studies in Mexico City, where she presented new songs besides interpreting some of her greatest hits in an intimate atmosphere to a live audience.

This production counts on important and interesting collaborations like two time Oscar winner, Gustavo Santaolalla, who accompanied her with the banjo and sang the chorus of the song "Algun Dia (Someday)". Brazilian singer, Marisa Monte featured in song "Illusion", a new and beautiful song that combines the Spanish and Portuguese language.

Also Mala Rodriguez joined Julieta and included a strong hip hop movement to the song "Eres Para Mi (You are for Me)", whereas the vocalist of Porter, Juan Carlos had a unique participation in "Algun Dia (Someday)".

In addition, the very talented Natalia Lafourcade comprised of the orchestra and played several instruments during the night, whereas the talented musician and composer, Jacques Morelenbaum accompanied Julieta on the cello in "De mis Pasos (From my foot steps)".

DVD Track List:
1.Limón y Sal
2.Sería Feliz
3.El Presenta - Inédita
4.Algo está cambiando
5.Eres para Mi - A dueto con la Mala Rodriguez
6.Esta Vez
7.Algun dia- Inédita con la participación de Gustavo Santaolalla
8.Mírame bien
9.Lento
10.De mis pasos
11.Andar conmigo
12.Ilusión - Inédita A dueto con Marisa Monte
13.Como sé
14.Mira la vida- Inédita
15.Me Voy
Making of
Customer Review: A must have DVD - Compralo si o si
Como se ha escrito anteriormente este Unplugged es uno de los mejores en lengua castellana hasta la fecha (casi rivaliza con el Hello, el Unplugged del gran Charly Garcia) y consituye un hito en la carrera de Julieta Venegas mostrandonos asi el porque el maestro Joaquin Sabina, el mejor cantautor, ha dicho de ella que es una genia. Tocando con maestria varios instrumentos e imprimiendo sentimiento a cada canción que interpreta Julieta nos lleva por un repaso de su discografia, a la cual le imprime otro matiz, de una manera tan maravillosa que los 15 temas pareceria que acaban demasiado pronto. La calidad de la producción musical es impecable, los arreglos magnificos y los músicos en total sintonía con la idea que Julieta tiene del concierto. Imprescindible en cualquier colección. Gracias Julieta... creo que Sabina ya tiene su contraparte femenina. A masterpiece. So far the best Unplugged of this decade. Julieta performs great and also in a unique way, full of feeling. Ms. Venegas rocks ! Do a favor yourself and order this DVD now.
Customer Review: SUPER TRABAJO,, EXCELENTE,,,
Muy gratamente soprendido por este material, es simplemente estupendo, Julieta se luce en todas suis interpretaciones dandoles nuevo matizes y colores, que decir de sus invitados , todos de primer nivel,,, el que en verdad me sorprendio mucho -y como dice el post de arriba- no conocia en nada a JUAN SON, que voz y que manera de interpretar. me muero por conseguir algo de el,, este dvd es algo que no deje faltar en su coleccion...altamente recomendable...


The conga drum is widely used in many countries around the globe but is believed to have mainly originated in both Africa and Cuba, and is often called the Afro-Cuban drum or Afro-Cuban barrel-shaped drum. Today, congas, which are played either singly or using several drums, are a large part of Latino-American music, and those who play this unique instrument are referred to as congueros.

Conga drums are narrow, tall, and have varying widths ranging from nine inches across the drumhead to 14 inches across, with the size affecting the sound and pitch of the drums. Larger congas are used for playing lower, deeper rhythms, while the smaller, or quinto drums are used for playing the melodies. When playing several conga drums together, they most often are tuned to one particular chord.

In English, the word conga is used to refer to the single-headed drum, and congas for sets of three individual drums, which includes a higher pitched drum known as the quinto, the lowest pitched called the tumbadora, and the medium-sized drum, called either the conga or the segundo. However, throughout Cuba, the Spanish name tumbadora, which is a more accurate term, is commonly used to describe the drums and is more widely used rather than conga or congas. In Cuba, the word conga is only used when describing drums that are specifically played during Carnaval, which is similar to the annual Mardi Gras celebration in the United States.

Conga drums are typically made from woods such as oak, ash, or beech, although the fiberglass congas of today are gaining in popularity as they can be more durable and are usually far less expensive. Although, many professional congueros who have mastered the techniques still prefer the traditional wooden congas, stating that the sounds produced are warmer and richer than with the newer fiberglass sets.

Congas made from ash wood tend to produce more resonant tones, while oak models are said to give a warmer sound along with reducing overtones that are similar to those made when using synthetic materials.

Today drumheads are also made from synthetic materials, although traditionally, heads made from cowhide were used for the most melodious of sounds, while in more modern times, water buffalo hide was the preferred material of choice to create crisper, cleaner tones.

Typically, buffalo skins are more expensive while other rawhide drumheads are generally found on the less pricier congas. Synthetic heads created to mimic the sounds of natural materials may be beneficial to the more inexperienced player as they produce a brighter, louder tone when played, and also tend to be more durable.

As with any type of musical instrument, craftsmanship and the best materials are of the utmost importance. The use of quality materials and finely honed skills will produce a better set of drums that's not only easier to tune or play, but one that will also sound better. Even beginners are encouraged to purchase a well-made set of congas that will still be sufficient as their experience grows and their skills increase.

Played with both hands using the fingertips and the palms of the hands, congas produce a wide variety of sounds that can be loosely described as either open or muffled tone, slap, open or muffled slap, bass tone, fingers, or palm. Experts recommend learning how to invoke the many different sounds before mastering hand coordination, and then finally concentrating on the rhythm aspect of playing conga drums.

The open tone stroke is played using four fingers, striking close to the rim of the drumhead which produces a clear, distinct sound. The muffled tone stroke, similar to the open tone, is also made using four fingers, but then involves keeping the fingers against the drumhead to muffle the sound produced. For a low, more muted sound, opt for the bass tone stroke using the full palm of the hand to strike the drumhead.

The most well known rhythm for congas is known as the tumbao, which uses a 1-2-3, 1-2-3, 1-2 rhythm with the first two played with muffled tones, and the latter using open tones. Another most popular rhythm is called the bolero rhythm (1-2-3, 1-2, 1-2-3) which uses two congas and has most recently been heard on songs by artists such as Andrea Bocelli in Besame Mucho and Luis Miguel in La Puerta.

Some of the most widely known congueros are Desi Arnez, who was the influence behind the naming of a small conga known as the "Ricardo" from his television role, Candido Camero, Giovanni Hidalgo, Arsenio Rodriguez, and Poncho Sanchez. Many types of modern music, including jazz, Latin jazz, salsa, mambo, and rumba, still rely on conga drums to keep the beat and produce a variety of unique sounds.

You can buy your Conga Drum or Tumbadora and many other world musical instruments Online at http://www.yourworldinstruments.comOnce you enjoy playing rhythm patterns on your Congas, you can try other Drums like the Djembe, Ashiko, Bongo Drums and enjoy their distinctive sound and styles.

irish dance music

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