OBRAS DE VIOLETA PARRA

"Obras De Violeta Parra" is a double album that was released in 1984 by the Chilean Folk band LOS JAIVAS. It's a tribute of sorts to Violeta Parra who was a famous Chilean Folk singer and activist who passed away in 1967. That's her on the album cover. They've taken her songs and re-worked them. Dual keyboards and lots of ethnic instruments are used, the vocals take on a prominant role as well.

"Arauco Tiene Una Pena" sounds amazing for the first 6 minutes then it settles right down and well they lose me completely. Especially when the vocals arrive 7 1/2 minutes in. "El Guillatun" opens with explosive sounds and intricate ones as well. Vocals 2 minutes in as drums continue. Not a fan here either. I do like the dreamy sound 6 1/2 minutes in though. "Manana Me Voy Pa'l Norte" is a complete write off for me (haha). Again it's the vocals and circus-like melody. "Y Arriba Quemando El Sol" opens with laid back piano as reserved vocals come in with drums. It does get more energetic but is mostly piano, drums and vocals.

"El Gavilan" is good with all these intricate sounds. It picks up before 8 minutes and sounds even better. It settles but the tempo shifts a lot the rest of the way. "Un Rio De Sangre" is very folky with female vocals. "Run-Run Se Fue Pa'l Norte" eventually features a strummed instrument with vocal melodies. Other sounds come and go but the vocal melodies don't last long. "En Los Jardines Humanos" is slow going with almost spoken vocals early. It picks up before 4 minutes. Vocals return later. The guitar is great after 8 minutes. "Violeta Ausente" opens with piano and strummed guitar I think. Vocals 1 1/2 minutes in lead the rest of the way. "Que Pena Siente El Alma" is led by what sounds like accordion.

The picture that kept coming to my mind is this band back in the old west sitting around a camp fire playing this Folk music. Something from a Western movie you know ? Anyway I simply dislike this, and it's a double albums worth at that.