Paranda music revived with new CD
In the film and album called “The Buena Vista Social Club” the traditional music and musicians of a Caribbean island were rediscovered by a visiting producer and suddenly the world beat a path to their door. While the coast of Central America may not be Cuba and Paranda may not be as hot as Salsa, there is at least one producer and a half dozen musicians, who are hoping that commercial lightning can strike twice. We met some of these remarkable men this morning at the House of Culture.
Jose Sanchez, Reporting
During the summer of 1995, Andy Palacio played a tape of Paul Nabor’s Paranda music for Ivan Duran of Stone Tree Records. Duran was instantly captivated by the raw passion of the music and he decided to produce an album with the artist Paul Nabor. While recording Nabor he eventually introduced more Paranderos to the growing project.
Ivan Duran Co Producer, Paranda
“It just kept getting bigger and bigger. We traveled to Honduras and Guatemala locate more Paranderos and we ended up with six Paranderos in all, represented on the album, which are Aurelio Martinez from La Ceiba Honduras, Lugua Centeno from Belize City and Honduras, Jurisino Cayetano from Livingston, Guatemala, Junie Aranda from Dangriga, Paul Nabor from P.G. and Andy Palacio as a guest artist in one of the songs doing a nice duet with Aurelio Martinez.”
Paranda music came about shortly after the Garinagu arrived in Honduras in the 19th century. That is where the traditional Garifuna music fused with the acoustic guitar and the Latin flavours of the region. Though the music uses the Garifuna Primero and the Segundo drums, Nabor demonstrates his talent with only his raspy voice and acoustic guitar.
(Paul Nabor singing “Naguya nei” or “I am moving on”)
Paul Nabor, Parandero
“A spirit came to me and said “This is the song you’re going to play, you try it.” And I tried it and I went through, so I’m happy to know France on account of this box (guitar), I know Mexico on account of this box and I’ve had this box in my hand for 40 years.”
Junie Aranda, Parandero
“Paranda music means to me as a Garifuna enjoyment. When I was I little boy, I loved Paranda and then I decided in my mind that when I grow up I am going to buy a guitar for myself. The first work that I did I bought my guitar.”
And since that day, Junie has rarely put down the instrument that has made him whole.
(Junie singing “Chulutu Garad Da Nu” or “I received a letter”)
Now with its totally acoustic instrumentation, Paranda evokes a culturally diverse Afro Latin harmony that has worldwide appeal. The CD that bears the title of the music, has already traveled to many other countries.
Ivan Duran
“Paranda got licensed to Warner Classics which is a division of Warner Brothers. It got had a release in Europe in last December. The group traveled to a festival for the launching of the CD in France, and earlier this year it got released in the United States.”
The CD is available in Belize at your favourite music store.
