Music in Puerto Rico

Salsa, and Regeton is most of what I hear in the island, in my opinion Salsa is still king.

Here is a mix of songs that people in Puerto Rico listen to and that I enjoy.

Some are oldies, some are mix of Rap, raegatón, and Salsa. Some are by Celia Cruz a Cuban singer that was adopted by Puerto Rico. She was amazing, able to change her music over the decades. 

•••• But first a couple of songs about Puerto Rico that always bring tears to my eyes, they are about the beauty of Puerto Rico and about an Expat that misses his island:
A) Bello Amanecer by Cheo Feliciano on Apple Music. https://itun.es/us/uL67K?i=619686753
B) Puerto Rico by Eddie Palmieri, Ismael Quintana & Lalo Rodríguez on Apple Music. https://itun.es/us/8Cs3d?i=64825062

Ok get ready to move those hips:
Fiesta en la Vecindad by Los Hijos de Puerto Rico on Apple Music. https://itun.es/us/pl9e?i=1299137

Control by Adassa on Apple Music. https://itun.es/us/7HFdj?i=151910668

Sacude la Mata by Andy Montañez on Apple Music. https://itun.es/us/IesPi?i=145039689

Listen to Cuando No Es Juan, Es Juana by Andy Montañez on Apple Music. https://itun.es/us/IesPi?i=145039692

Bla, Bla, Bla by Anthony Cruz on Apple Music. https://itun.es/us/a0lv?i=5553406

Que Bombon by Anthony Cruz on Apple Music. https://itun.es/us/a0lv?i=5553390

La Negra Tiene Tumbao (DJ Fluid Remix) by Celia Cruz on Apple Music. https://itun.es/us/_i3ky?i=405500480

La Medicina Cubana by Celia Cruz on Apple Music. https://itun.es/us/VwqCj?i=158402151

I hope you enjoy them.
By the way a good way to learn how to dance Salsa and others is the Zumba course.
Enjoy

So you are a big Fania All Star fan ahh! I grow up listening to the old salsa music....Willey Colon, Franky Ruiz, El Gallo Tito Rojas, El caballero de la salsa Gilberto Santarosa!!

La Sonora Poncena!

In addition to the traditional music of Puerto Rico, Pop music from the 80s seems to be quite popular here.  There are a couple of stations in the metro SJ area that play 80s music regularly.  Reminds me of growing up!!

El gran combo, Tito puentes, Ismael Rivera, Tito Rodríguez, Christina Aguilera, Richie Ray, Latin Sound, many others

In the year 1980 I was stationed with the Army in Germany. Tito Puentes and Iris Chacon were on tour in Germany and we hooked up, I became their photographer for the toor and I did one of their cover. I traveled with them for about 2 weeks. It was a lot of fun!
I got to know them well in those two weeks

Deam!! I beat that was a great 2 weeks!!!

adlin20 wrote:

Deam!! I beat that was a great 2 weeks!!!

I was on Stage, back stage, hotel with them, on the bus, we ate together, they practice together, I was part of the team. I was having a hard time keeping my eye off of Iris Chacon on those sexy outfits.
Music was good and a great adventure traveling around Germany with them.

I am surprised that this post has been viewed over 100 times so far, but very few people commented in any way or said what music they like.
Wow

Wow, that would be a lot of fun, Rey!

ReyP wrote:

In the year 1980 I was stationed with the Army in Germany. Tito Puentes and Iris Chacon were on tour in Germany and we hooked up, I became their photographer for the toor and I did one of their cover. I traveled with them for about 2 weeks. It was a lot of fun!
I got to know them well in those two weeks

For those that may not know him, here is info on Tito Puentes: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tito_Puente
Here are photos of Iris Chacon (a bombshell), That is why I had a hard time keeping my eyes where they belong: http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=iri … ORM=IARRTH
And a little about her: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iris_Chacón
She has a uTube page where you can see her in action: https://www.youtube.com/user/IrisChaconForever

One of the things I miss about the island are the salsa festivals. There is nothing better than watching your artist sing in the town plaza. There is no elaborated stages or lip singing, plus good food and beer are a couple of steps away....

adlin20 wrote:

One of the things I miss about the island are the salsa festivals. There is nothing better than watching your artist sing in the town plaza. There is no elaborated stages or lip singing, plus good food and beer are a couple of steps away....

We have Puerto Rican festival here in MA. There is one in Boston, one in Framingham and one in Worcester. It is local talent mostly not the big stars, but the music is not bad, the food is great and the beer is close by.

ReyP wrote:

I am surprised that this post has been viewed over 100 times so far, but very few people commented in any way or said what music they like.
Wow

My favorite t-shirt said, "I may be old, but I saw all the good groups!"  That being said, you might have an idea of my musical taste.  I am an old hippie who loves all kinds of music.  I suppose my taste is quite eclectic.  We attend concerts and shows as often as possible.  Living in the NYC metro area provides lots of opportunities. 

In this age of digital communication I can stream favorite music and radio shows, and I can still have my iPod and cd collection and continue to download.  However, I will miss seeing live music.

Do mainland artists of the rock/folk/blues genres ever do shows in Puerto Rico?  I know they will go to other islands, and there are Blues Cruises that stop at several islands. 

I do love salsa music and dancing as well.  My first husband in the 1970s was from Venezuela and he introduced me to a whole new world of music.  All of those names you mentioned, Rey, were among our favorites.  I remember seeing Tito Puente and the Fania All Stars I think in Central Park.  I'm looking forward to renewing my dancing skills.

Hi Just Limin,
I left PR in 1973, I used to wear bell bottoms, platform shoes and had an afro. The Army cut that off.
I grew up with some of the same music, so I know what you mean.

As to concerts from the mainland in PR I can not say as I have not lived in the island since then. Just quick visits mostly to see friends and family.

I am sure others in this blog can tell you about the concerts, but I assume that they are likely to be in Condado and Rincon, but I could be wrong?

To practice the PR dances, try the Zumba course. Great exercise and you learn the steps.

One thing I miss from living on Long Island, NY is the variety of live music venues, in particular all of the free outdoor concerts in the summer.  I have not discovered any  places in Puerto Rico that offer this.  Occasionally there are big concerts---Ringo Starr was here last year and the Rolling Stones were here a while back.  But I truly miss the smaller venues, in particular blues, folk, bluegrass, rockabilly. I miss the acoustic jam sessions.  I have extra ukuleles and am willing to share them with anyone who wants to give music a try. Four strings are better than no strings.

There is a Jazz festival this month in San Juan (I believe they do this every month)

http://www.mydestination.com/puertorico … ugust-2015

Here is another site that have information on several activities in PR

http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/jazz-events/

Frogrock, John's son played a ukulele at our wedding on the beach 4 years ago.  It was so sweet sounding.  John was a guitar player in his younger years and may just be interested in trying to play a uke.  Have you heard Eddie Vedder's Ukulele Songs album?  Just beautiful. 

There was a fellow on this forum who lived in Naguabo and wanted to gather people to jam.  Unfortunately, he wrote that he and his wife were leaving the island.  Perhaps it would be possible to get some kind of group together for sharing music.  I love to sing, and am great on tambourine and maracas.

Adlin, I love that Puerto Rico Day Trips site.  It's just so full on information.  I do hope it's kept up to date.

just limin; just wait until December and we can start doing some "parrandas"......(groups of friends and/or family members that go from house to house singing, specially late at night).

Usually involve bad singing and lots of alcohol...  http://www.elboricua.com/pr_christmas.html

That sounds perfect, Adlin!  And imagine, Christmas in flip flops!  Hallelujah!

Cans, pots and pans and a guiro or two create the music for the off tune music and off tune voices, specially after a boatload of drinks.
If I am in the island stop by, who needs sleep?

I'm with you Rey!!! 

I will stock up on the Pitorro, DonQ, and a lot of coquito.

I will bring the ingridients for the traditional midnight zancocho. 

adlin20 wrote:

I will bring the ingridients for the traditional midnight zancocho. 

If you stay long enough to cook zancocho, we got a party and a half if not we will make Sopa, after all we will be living in Ceiba, "Los come Sopa" (Soup eaters), or some "Carne Guisada" con Arroz Blanco y Maduros.

We are going to have to teach every one how to sing "Saludos, Saludos" and other "Paranda de Navidad" songs off tune of course!

Back in the old times if you remember we started Navidad at the beginning of December and ended by about the middle of January with the "Dia de los Reyes" and the Octavitas.

Unfortunately my wife does not know how to make many PR dishes, but she makes a good PR "Carne Guisada".

Since we are talking about music and Christmas here is a video of a group playing a Christmas Jibarito song. This I guess the equivalent of Hillbilly music. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fvpd8XY … mp;index=2

Another one but with music and photos of PR in the 30's to 50's. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4wQ75v … p;index=29

Absolutely!!!!

Rey, I like your selection of music. I am with you. I love me some Salsa especially old time Salsa like Palmieri, Puente, Bobby Rodriguez, Joe Quijano, and of course Ricardo Ray and Willie Colon and Hector Labor.

One you are here, you'll have to come over. I have a pretty good collection of old LPs and some great CDs if the best music in the world. I am totally old school and don't like most bachata and raggeton. Give me a good salsa, cha cha and bolero any time

My Ray would have given his left arm to be with Iris Chacon.

We should all get together and go out dancing in San Juan.Salsa of course.  I have been telling my hubby that I want to go since we got here over a year ago. Of course, I dance to my.music when I am cleaning the house like all respectable Puerto Rican women do. Ha ha Que viva LA Salsa.

Tonie

tonie0750 wrote:

My Ray would have given his left arm to be with Iris Chacon.

Back then you bet

tonie0750 wrote:

Rey, I like your selection of music. I am with you. I love me some Salsa especially old time Salsa like Palmieri, Puente, Bobby Rodriguez, Joe Quijano, and of course Ricardo Ray and Willie Colon and Hector Labor.

One you are here, you'll have to come over. I have a pretty good collection of old LPs and some great CDs if the best music in the world. I am totally old school and don't like most bachata and raggeton. Give me a good salsa, cha cha and bolero any time

Love to stop by once we are settled.

tonie0750 wrote:

We should all get together and go out dancing in San Juan.Salsa of course.  I have been telling my hubby that I want to go since we got here over a year ago. Of course, I dance to my.music when I am cleaning the house like all respectable Puerto Rican women do. Ha ha Que viva LA Salsa.

Tonie

Azúcar el las caderas.
Once we are settled we can join you all.

tonie0750 wrote:

My Ray would have given his left arm to be with Iris Chacon.

He is not the only one!!! Do you remember her show? She revolutionize the TV in PR, I remember grampa watching her show and "Dios te libre" interrupt when she was dancing!!!

adlin20 wrote:

tonie0750 wrote:

My Ray would have given his left arm to be with Iris Chacon.

He is not the only one!!! Do you remember her show? She revolutionize the TV in PR, I remember grampa watching her show and "Dios te libre" interrupt when she was dancing!!!

He gasped I bet. Check the links about her, I believe one of them goes to some video clips of her dancing.
She knew him to move those hips and everything else.

Some notes on Iris Chacon...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iris_Chac%C3%B3n

This from El Nuevo Dia (local newspaper)...

http://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/loca … co-907471/

Another great vedette from the same decade....Charitin Goyco

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charyt%C3%ADn_Goyco

adlin20 wrote:

Some notes on Iris Chacon...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iris_Chac%C3%B3n

This from El Nuevo Dia (local newspaper)...

http://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/loca … co-907471/

Another great vedette from the same decade....Charitin Goyco

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charyt%C3%ADn_Goyco

Check out her videos at https://www.youtube.com/user/IrisChaconForever

I told my wife that once I am in Puerto Rico I plan to drink 4 times as much.
After a look of shock on her face .......
I told her I will drink 4 beers a month instead of 1.

Rey,
Tell her you will stop drinking beer.  Instead, drink cervesa.

frogrock wrote:

Rey,
Tell her you will stop drinking beer.  Instead, drink cervesa.

LOL, Good One.