The Dream Lives On, A Dream of a fairer society - The Spirit of Victor Jara in Wales


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This website is no longer updated, go to http://www.cloudcuckoo.org.uk/

 

 

Cloud Cuckoo is a Machynlleth based band at present playing mainly lively Chilean inspired songs and melodies along with a light dusting of whimsical folk.

The band draws strongly from the musical wellspring of the Chilean 'New Song' movement, and the inspiration of Victor Jara, Violetta Para and Inti-Illimani and others is strongly present in their repertoire. Their distinctive and vibrant sound comes from a combination of violin, mandolin, guitar, charango, cello, congas, whistles, a percussive frog and a toy song thrush.Ringing out above it all are the excellent lead vocals of Polly Henderson and Tony Corden.

Tony was the chief organiser of the 'El Sueno Existe' festival in Machynlleth in July 2005.

They sing songs that intertwine joys and sorrows together and that often lean in content towards a utopian dream - albeit unrealisable but important to express non the less.

True to their name Cloud Cuckoo's performances are imbued with a sense of fun and they endevour not to take themselves too seriously

The band's name refers to Aristophanes comedy; "The Birds". The birds in this story are fed up with mankind, the earth, the Gods and heaven , so they establish a city in between the clouds. The phrase, "Cloud Cuckoo Land" is sometimes used to imply that a project, person, or belief is naive; out of touch with the "real" world. We believe that there can be a positive connotation to "naiveté"; that it is possible to have your feet on the ground and your head in the clouds.

Cloud Cuckoo are closely associated with the bi-annual "El Sueno Existe" [the dream lives] festival inspired by the life of Victor Jara which takes place in the town of Machynlleth in Mid Wales.

Cloud Cuckoo's new CD 'Chile Con Cymru' is out now.

To get your copy email tonycorden@hotmail.com or ring Tony on 01654 702166

Cloud Cuckoo-Chile Con Cymru-The Storyof the Songs

1. A Mi palomita

This is a traditional Andean melody from Bolivia and we learnt it from Venezuelan troubador Gerardo Osal during his first visit to Machynlleth for the first “El Sueno Existe” festival. Tony wrote the words for this version in Spanish and Welsh.

Paloma is Spanish for “dove” and the words are about the River Dyfi which runs through Machynlleth the name of which has nothing to do with doves.

2. La Fiesta Eres Tu.

This lively and danceable song is by the Chilean band “Inti-Illimani” and represents “Latin American Creole” music.From the album “Amar De Nuevo” ; the title translates as “You Are The Party”

3.El Canelazo

Traditional song from Ecuador; I first heard it sung in Arica , Northern Chile and it appears on a very early Inti-Illimani recording. The song is about lost love and drowning one's sorrows.

4. El Faro[The Lighthouse]

Another song from the “Amar De Nuevo”album. The lyrics are beautiful and quite surreal. “The bow leads me to your reef, and in it I am shipwrecked with happiness.”

5. Dragonfly At Ding Dong Mine

Ding Dong Mine is an ancient abandoned tin mine on the West Cornwall moors. I wrote this tune whilst watching a resplendent dragonfly darting amongst the gorse and heather surrounding one of the old mine shafts on a balmy summers afternoon.

6.Duckweed Song

The River Lea runs through Hackney in East London appearing murky and polluted. The song is about walking up the river slowly leaving the urban sprawl behind and heading toward the source way out in the countryside.

7. La Petenera

Another stirring traditional song ,this time from Mexico.

8. Negra Presuntosa

By Andres Soto; this song has been covered bythe Peruvian singer Susanna Baca, Inti-Illimani and others.

9. Malaguena

Another traditional song from Mexico ; another one about lost love.

10.Volver A Los 17

The great Chilean songstress Violeta Parra is considered to be the mother of “Chilean New Song” She travelled all over Chile making field recordings of traditional songs and composed the South American anthem; “Gracias A La Vida”

11. Lamento Borincano.

This song was covered by Victor Jara and relates the oft told tale of the country dweller lured to the city believing that the “streets are paved with gold” only to find himself yearning to return to his home. Its a sort of Latino “Mountains Of Mourne”

12. Can Victor Jara

This song in Welsh is by Welsh folk-singer, Dafydd Iwan. It tells the story of the legendary Chilean musician Victor Jara who was tortured and murdered following the US backed military coup of September 11th 1973.

“Mae can Victor Jara yw clywed o hyd; yr atsain yn uchel dros wledydd y byd

Ond erys y fascwyr, erys y trais

A gwrando mae bobl am alwad ei lais”

“The song of Victor is still heard echoing across the countries of the world.

But there is still fascism, there is still violence

And the people listen for the sound of his voice"

13. A Cocabamba Me Voy

A joyful song by Victor Jara about revolution and freedom from oppression. According to some accounts,Inti was a nickname for Che Guevara.

14 Duck, Robin and Sunshine songs.

Some cheery old time melodies to finish from John Corden; 85 years old and his sister Violet Bedson 87years old. Recorded on a summers day in a Welsh garden with blackbird and song thrush and robin as backing musicians.