Songs of a One Pant Man
Manuel Monestel is
a modern-day troubadour, in the truest sense of the word. He travels up and down the Caribbean coast of
Costa Rica, at times
venturing into Panama,
to sing his songs and participate in adventures, some of which are destined to
become new chapters to his ever-expanding repertoire. On his initial CD, One
Pant Man, Monestel borrows the title track from his long-time buddy and fellow
Calypsonian, Walter Ferguson, aka Dr. Bombadee, so it comes as no surprise that
they both record for Papaya Music.
Monestel recorded
two of Ferguson’s
songs for this disc, as well as one from Herbrth Glinton, another Calypso
singer/songwriter from the Costa Rica Caribbean area. The remaining tunes are
all original compositions. Through the songs, he leads the listener along his
journeys in search of “the secret connection between Calypso and the blues”.
Manuel is part of a new generation of regional Coats Rica music and musicians,
finding their collective niche and paying homage to a revitalized tradition.
So, when you
thinking of modern Calypso, don’t think of Harry Belafonte…On the song “Next
Creation”, for example, Monestel sings about wanting to be a dog, and
specifically, anything but a human being, in his next incarnation. And on the
title cut, “One Pant Man”, the singer finds himself with a woman much younger
than himself, who accuses him of being so poor that he possesses just a single
pair of pants.
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| The Travelling Calypsonian |
Manuel Monestel
covers the three songs of his friends in English. His original material is sung
in Spanish, in his clear, sweet voice. He accompanies himself with clean
picking on his acoustic guitar. In this sense, Monestel is something of a folk
singer as well. In the song, “Costarriquica”, he peers into his country’s diverse
potential future, venturing into political and social topics on one hand and
equally comfortable singing beautiful romantic songs about the people and
places he loves in Costa
Rica. “Arrecife de Coral”, in particular,
has Monestel’s brand stamped on it. The song is about a dream the songwriter
has – a coral reef filled with warm water and marine wildlife. The warm waves
wash the soul and coconut trees on the beach sway and dance in Calypso rhythm.
The wind whistles a melody and congos
call a harmony, while the Cahuita sky entices a sleepy tan. The tropical forest
is in good company, so full of life. And the world rotates, with luck, enough
to share for everyone. Sr. Monestel then sings in his native Spanish about how
difficult it is to awaken from this dream and witness the “Occidental Powers”
ruining this idyllic scene.
The CD was produced
by Manuel Obregon, who also plays piano on a few of the songs. The
complimentary artwork on the CD jacket, insert and booklet is by Senora
Pricilla. The disc opens a new chapter in Costa Rica folk music, bridging a
generation, in true Papaya Music tradition. His CDs are available at Jaime
Peligro book store in Playa Tamarindo.All comments concerning this article are gladly welcome.
The
new Perrozompopo album, "Canciones Populares Contestatarias" sees the
artist reunited with his Managuan band, including new lead guitarist, Federico
Miranda, who adds a little more punch and distinctive style than his
predecessor. This entire album was recorded in Nicaragua and was funded by the
Spanish Agency of International Cooperation for Development, another feather in
the cap of the street-wise survivor, who is rapidly being portrayed as the
voice of a Nicaraguan generation. The twelve song disc kicks off with "9
Dias", a song written a year ago about the trials and tribulations of
living in a poverty-stricken country. In fact, four of the songs were written
more than a year ago, as if the author was waiting for the right time to
release them. Other standouts include "Cancion Toxica", "Mirando
al Sur" and the final cut, "Angel del Cielo", a beautiful ballad
and fitting close to the album. Perrozompopo seems more comfortable in his own
urban setting, no matter how volatile it might be, since this is what the theme
for the bulk of his songs is. And he always seems bent on positive change, and
survival. Darwin (and Sandino) would be proud of him
