I suddenly realized I don't have any authentic Merengue, Salsa, Bachata, Cumbia songs in my repertoire. Merengues were easy when all you had to play was Cuando, Cuando, Cuando, etc along with a lot of improvising, but I'd like to do the real thing.

I speak conversational Spanish and so I do the commercial songs (singing the Spanish words)...La Bamba, Guantanamera, Celito Lindo, etc.

What are you doing for the above genres? And does anyone know if there are Latin standards for the above that Spanish people always relate to (like we would consider Let Me Call You Sweetheart as a standard)?

There so much great Spanish LANGUAGE music. The music is as diverse as the over 21 countries that speak Spanish. As far as standards that will be recognized by Latinos of all ages, you can’t go wrong with the classic boleros. Check Luis Miguel albums “Mis Boleros Favoritos” and “Mis Romances”
Also Edye Gorme recoded some fantastic classics with “Los Panchos”. Believe it or not, Nat King Cole Spanish language albums are another gold mine of the classic standards. Although his accent is very thick, the music and his interpretation are loved by many.

Here are some of my favorites:



Besame Mucho
Cien Años
Cuando Calienta El Sol
Cuando Vuelvas a mi lado
El Reloj
Historia de un amor
La Barca
Las Classes de cha-cha-cha
Mucho Corazón
Piel Canela
Prefidia
Sabor a mi
Solamente Una Vez
Somos Novios
Usted

The songs I sing in Spanish are:
La Bamba
ElCumbanchero
Spanish Eyes
Beseme Mucho

I play and sing lots of others using Latin beats, but sing in English:
Girl From Ipanema
Rio De Janeiro Blue
Matilda
South Of The Border
Via Con Dios
Tangerine
Sway
Rose In Spanish Harlem
Quando Quando Quando
Livin' La Vida Loca
Jamaica Farewell
Desifinado
Conga
Begin The Beguine

These are just the ones off the top of my head - there are many others I perform, but mainly upon request.

Gary

Gary would love to hear your versions & styles for
Livin' La Vida Loca & Conga sometime.

I appreciate that you took the time to write out your replies, and very good song titles you listed, but.......I must have said that wrong. I didn't mean the Besame Mucho "commercial type." I'm pretty much familiar with those. I meant the real dance stuff......Merengues, Salsa, etc.

song examples:
Suavemente - Elvis Crespo,
Tu Voz - Celia Cruz
Todo Todo Todo - Daniela Romo
El Africano - Wilfrido Vargas
Rie Y Llora - Celia Cruz
Ya Viene El Lunes - Los Hermanos Rosario

Come to think of it, I wouldn't mind doing these. Does anyone know where you would buy Spanish sheet music for songs like this.

And...original question......these are good Latin standards that I've listed but they're years old now. Anyone doing recent Merengue's, Salsa, Cumbia, Bachata?

.....but thanks for reminding me of these songs. Although I do them, I forget to list them in my "Master Songlist" as "Spanish" songs!

Mark

Hi Mark, I don't do much SPANISH music except for some flamenco stuff from the Gypsy Kings - on wait, they're actually French
Anyways, I do cover lots of LATIN music (Cumbia, Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Reggaeton, Nortena...) You can go to my website and here some arranger bassed Latin music. My website is listed in my profile. Also I could try to email you our song list. I think my wife made one...

Regarding sheet music: I haven't found much for the more modern dance stuff. I had to learn most by ear and my ears suck! If I can do it, anybody can. Luckly the modern stuff doesn't have a lot of chords changes. Also you can search on google for lyrics and chords. Type the name of the song followed "letras y acordes" Just be ready to make some corrections- lots of mistakes!

Oh, I just remembered there is a magazine that I pick up when I'm in Mexico. It's called "Teclado Facil" It does have some lead lines written out and chords and lyrics. It's pretty good...
I'm not sure if they are on line- maybe do a search.

Another thing, alot of those slow boleros that you allready do can work as salsa or menergue.