Last Call Rec.
Isabel Parra : Antologia (CHI,rec.1962-1995, rei.2004)***'
The Parra family was one of the most important musical influences in Chilean music history. Isabel Parra was daughter of the famous Violeta Parra, sister of another famous musician Angel Parra. It was especially thanks to Victor Jara that a political, social and heartfelt-movement through folk music –the musical movement was associated with ‘La Nueva Canción’or ‘The New Chilean Song’ - came to become part of the heart, experience and consciousness of the folk itself. Isabel herself worked and performed with Victor Jara, Quilapayún (famous folk group), Silvio Rodríguez, León Gieco (another folk singer-songwriter) and Inti-Illimani (famous folk group). The anti-social tyranny that started after the coup on Sept.11th 1973, stimulated by the American anti-communist government caused the death of any free expression, and the fleeing or murdering of the musicians in Chile. Isabel continued to spread the word of her people and was rewarded for it, many years to come.
Part of her songs were influenced by some traditional music and other songs earlier sung by her mother, others were expressing, according to herself, especially the female part in Chilean society.
This release is an overview of her works/singles.
The style of only two of the first songs is most straight forward, a sing-a-long and be-united folk with a certain naïve but still pure aspect and a very direct poetry. Then the heart expressions gain a more subtle depth, starting with the fourth track “porque los pobres no tienen”. The mood then is a combination of romantic idealism, a prospective on reality, a creativity in words and a textured melody to make these words gain strength. It doesn’t matter if I don’t understand the words much. The first CD as expression works on its own, and makes for perfect listen. Within the minimal rhythmical and melodically foundations there’s a completeness in variety in the songs. The awareness in her expression became not a stone-to-throw-expression, but it stands and is like a mountain that contains it all.
The second CD has various songs with such stronger and matured expressions braking down the language barrier completely (like “Acerca de Los Padres” written by Silvio Rodriguez). Also “simpatico” is the inclusion of a live version of “En la Frontera” where a male helper translates what she’s saying / singing. Another live track, “En Sam Telmo Ladran” gives the same sympathetic energy. After a couple of more beautiful songs with mature vocals I was left with a feeling of melancholy.
Isabel Parra is a classic folk voice, and this makes this perfect compilation another classic release. It deserves our utmost respect.
-Distributed in Europe by Music & Words-
PS. I lately heard Violetta Parra again. Compared to Isabel there are some essential differences. While for listening to Isabel you need yourself go into a certain naivity and more traditional song music, while Violetta expressing the deepest concerns differently, I still think Violeta's music will much more appeal to progressive (folk) music listeners.
* Victor Jarra, Quilapayún, and Inti-Illimani received airplay in my radioshow before.
PS. See also Los Blops for their relationship with the Parra family. The Chilean progfolk group Los Jaivas made terrific symphonic interpretations of Violeta Para songs. See my Los Jaivas page.
