This track here, “the Wolves,” is the first of the project’s output that I’m really happy with, both in terms of the song and the recording. I think I’d rather leave the song up to interpretation rather than hash out all of my writing process, etc, so I’ll stop here and let you just listen.

One group I remembered from a previous trip, as they’re one of the few groups in La Habana to play a real old-style son with a marimbula and a botija instead of a double bass! The group is called Típico de Sones, and I’ve included here a clip of us jamming together on Compay Segundo’s Chan chan.

It’s a pretty simple song, as far as the harmony and the overall approach go. Maybe that’s why it works so well?

It’s real debut was at our wedding in the states, when I sang it during the ceremony. Even though lots of friends and family had already heard it – at our house, at my parents’ house, down in Burgundy with the grandparents, or just about any time a pulled out the guitar! – there were still some among the guests who weren’t even aware that I sang!

I’ve included just the first 2 minutes of the song here, but if you’re interested, contact me and I’ll send you the full track.

We’ve been asked to do the gig in the past, but the dates never worked out for all of the musicians involved. Finally, this year, everyone was in town and free and willing to help out this great organization. The result was a super street party featuring Barrio del Este as the “headlining” act.

Our friend and de facto fan club president Noriko Nookoo was there to document the event, and came away with several great photos and some fine video clips, including the one you see here (click on the image in the top left of the article to play the video). Noriko has been nice enough to set up and run our Barrio del Este Facebook Page, open to anyone (no need to be on Facebook already), where you can find many recent photos and videos like this one – go check it out!

The photos are all taken with the iPhone – I must say, I am fairly impressed with the quality of the iPhone pics. Of course, it’s no replacement for a real camera, but I love having it handy all the time. Every time I go on a trip I either forget my camera or forget to take it out when exciting things are happening. So having a phone that also takes decent pictures is just what I need.

I shouldn’t forget to mention that another big part of our trip (as it usually tends to be, with Cécile and I) was the FOOD.

Two words :

YUMMY

Although we did visit the Basilica and see the Sistine Chapel (breathtaking, of course), my real ecstatic experience took place at Giolitti’s gelateria, where I had the most amazing pistacchiogelato of all time. I also highly recommend a little place just next to Piazza di Pietra, Antonio al Pantheon, where I devoured a scrumptious maltagliatti al tartufo nero. Delicioso!

Eddy came up with a chord progression that reminded me a lot of a tune I like by Gerardo Alfonso, called “Asi de sencillo.” He had the basic structure in place, with a great groove and coro, but we both thought it could use a bridge to break up the monotony of the basic progression. Inspired in part by “Sencillo,” we started with a basic minor descent from the iv chord, then used some modal mixture to resolve the phrase in an unusual. I think it gives the song some nice harmonic variety – and Eddy found some great lyrics to fit to the melody, as well.

Con el permiso de los santos

A very short clip of our concert in Vaires-sur-Marne, filmed by flutist Emilie Laroubine (thanks, Emilie!), who came to sit in with us for a few tunes.

Çasonando Live