Los Cinco Latinos—I know, not the most creative band name—formed in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1957 and became pioners of Latin rock by singing all of their songs in Spanish and eventually making it onto the Ed Sullivan Show. I came across the band via director Whit Stillman's film Barcelona—part of the trilogy that also includes Metropolitan and The Last Days of Disco—which features the wonderful doo wop-inspired song "Quiéreme Siempre." Blissful is an understatement here. The track, which translates to "love me always," is a blazing jolt of pure happiness. The descending clean-toned guitar riff and the near operatic-quality of Estela Raval's voice are potent weapons: you hit play and all the sudden you're transported to someplace a little brighter, a little warmer.
Estela Raval and Los Cinco Latinos went together well, but all their songs were spanish translations of U.S. 50's/60's songs. They where like the Diamonds (only the spanish version). :-)
I fell in love with "Quiereme Siempre" when I heard it in the film "Barcelona" in 1994. Finally found it on youtube. I always found it odd that it wasn't included on the movie soundtrack.
This is fantastic, where did you find these recordings?
ReplyDeleteI just saw Barcelona for the first time last week. It´s hilarious -- and this song is amazing. Your blog is oh so so right on.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I highly recommend The Last Days of Disco and Kicking & Screaming as well if you liked Barcelona. Lots of great witty dialogue.
ReplyDeleteEstela Raval and Los Cinco Latinos went together well, but all their songs were spanish translations of U.S. 50's/60's songs. They where like the Diamonds (only the spanish version). :-)
ReplyDeleteOh, the song "Quiereme Siempre" is the spanish remake of the 1957 song by the Four Esquires, "Love Me Forever".
DeleteI fell in love with "Quiereme Siempre" when I heard it in the film "Barcelona" in 1994. Finally found it on youtube. I always found it odd that it wasn't included on the movie soundtrack.
ReplyDelete