Singing the Truth: Soneros de Verdad and "Hoy la Lluvia"

The name of the group responsible for today's random song is what intrigues me today. Soneros de Verdad means "Singers of Truth," and as I was thinking about why that particular name struck me, I realized that artists throughout history have largely been our truth seekers and truth-sayers. Art and music is uniquely positioned to provide us with the truth or at least point us toward the truth. It is just as uniquely positioned to provide us with lies and deception it is true - look at propaganda art and film for an example. And some artists may disagree with me. A notable artist, Pablo Picasso, said:

"We all know that Art is not truth. Art is a lie that makes us realize truth at least the truth that is given us to understand. The artist must know the manner whereby to convince others of the truthfulness of his lies."

But I think that many artists of all stripes often see themselves in a more noble light. Take for instance Flannery O'Connor, who wrote:

 "The basis of art is truth, both in matter and in mode."

Now, it may be that artists tell us the truth as they see it, and therefore we have to accept this truth with a certain amount of subjectivity. It may be that Leni Riefenstahl, in her artistic propaganda films of the Third Reich, believed that they encompassed a truth that resonated with her. Can we forgive that? History is very unkind to supposed truths that are discredited and upholds "truths" that linger with the backing of cultures or civilizations only to be discredited over time in their turn. Perhaps that is why, in Song of the Lark, Willa Cather wrote:

"Artistic growth is, more than it is anything else, a refining of the sense of truthfulness. The stupid believe that to be truthful is easy; only the artist, the great artist, knows how difficult it is."

Art and truth certainly has an uneasy relationship and yet, I am struck about how closely intertwined they can be.

Specifically toward music, Jack Kerouac wrote:

"The only truth is music."

Why is that? Perhaps it is because, as Leopold Stokowski said:

"A painter paints pictures on canvas. But musicians paint their pictures on silence." Without the truthsayers, there is only silence."

And regardless of the subjectivity of the artist that is put on the truth, we have the ability to read between the notes, listen between the words and know if truth is being touched. I'd much prefer to wade through the noise to touch the truth, than founder in the silence and not know if the truth actually exists.

Soneros de Verdad call themselves the second generation of the Buena Vista Social Club, and they bridge the gap between the son cubano of 50-60 years ago with more modern sensibilities and original compositions. Fronted by Luis Frank and Mayito Rivero, both international music award winners, the band also employs some other Cuban stars of the newer generation, giving a whole new sound layered on top of the old urban mixed with rural, son, jazz, and other genres. It's Cuba in one package. This song, Hoy la Lluvia, is from the album Luis Frank Presents Soneros de Verdad: A Buena Vista Barrio de la Habana (originally released in 2000, CD release in 2010).

The Motherland's Girl: Sevara Nazarkhan and "Yol Bolsin"

Uzbekistan is one of the 'Stans, a country that was formed out the breakup of the former Soviet Union. Since then, like the other 'Stans, it has been struggling to forge its own identity. During the period of Soviet rule, a large part of Uzbek history was that of "Russification." In other words, to get ahead in the Uzbekistan SSR during Soviet rule one had to give up any connection to Uzbek culture, lifestyle, identity and language and conform to Russian lifestyles, language and identity. Those who didn't were excluded from political and meaningful economic opportunity. Out of the wreckage of the Soviet Union, ethnic animosities in Uzbekistan led to clashes between Uzbeks and Turks, and animosities against Russians led to 2 million ethnic Russians fleeing Uzbekistan. Political upheaval and fraudulent elections also led to instability and violence.

However, one of the positive things about Uzbek independence was a reflowering of traditional Uzbek art and music. From this exploration back into culture and history came artists like Sevara Nazarkhan, who has not only given new life to Uzbek folk music traditions, but has also enabled its appreciation on a wider world basis. Nazarkhan was born into a musical family. Her mother taught traditional instruments at an Uzbek school, and Nazarkhan began her career as a doutar (a long necked lute) player for a state ensemble. By 2000, Nazarkhan had already achieved fame in Uzbekistan in her solo career as a pop singer, but she wowed crowds and Peter Gabriel when she performed as a last minute replacement at that year's WOMAD. Gabriel asked her to record an album for his Real World record label, and matched her with legendary French music producer Hector Zazou. The resulting album, Yoʻl Boʻlsin (2003), propelled her to international fame in its incorporation of traditional Uzbek folk music and contemporary sounds. She has released six albums and and has collaborated with artists such as Peter Gabriel, Sinead O'Connor and the Afro Celt Sound System. This song, "Yoʻl Boʻlsin," appears on that 2003 album of the same name. (The version I have is a five minute version, but the only similar one I could find online was edited to 3 minutes or so for radio airplay).

Addendum after I posted this: I just found longer version of this song, with Sevara Nazarkhan singing a capella: