Weekly Read & Music - Saturday, November 11, 2006

Weekly Read - Nov. 11th
Category: Writing and Poetry

Thanks to all the new readers of this section for your comments!
This is my recommendation for this week, Nov. 11th.
Cronica de una Muerte Anunciada is a 1981 novel by Nobel Prize Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
This is sort of a police novel, combined with the element that has been the signature mark of Garcia Marquez; the magical realism. Based on a true story, he plays with all the characters without faultering to the reality of the journalistic cronicle he intends to do.
The topic: a wedding story gone wrong and what a family must do to keep the honor. It might sound naive, but none of the novels writen by this author seem so. With more than 30 novels and works under his belt, his works are some of the most entertaining and well writen of the literary world nowadays.

Give it a chance if you haven't yet and try some new thing for a change.
Avi

Currently reading : Cronica de una muerte anunciada By Gabriel Garcia Marquez Release date: 07 October, 2003


Weekly Music - Nov. 11th

Hey guys!
Continuing on my domestic recommendations, here's mine for this week.
Los Amigos Invisibles (The invisible friends) is a funk/kitsch/pop band from Caracas, Venezuela. Their name is inspired on a popular cultural tv program from the eighties around here, called Human Values, and they mix local sounds and likes into their songs.
Its a popular band around here, specially because its THE PARTY BAND; they are famous for non stop sets that drive everyone crazy. Its a lot of dancing, singing and laughter 'cause their songs aren't just the typical love song, they push into the funny part of life, relationships...even zits! yeah, zits...
I guess they just reflect the venezuelan personality over everything.
All of their cds have been in the top position in Venezuela, and latelly they have been invited to events such as Latin American Idol and have opened for artists such as Jamiroquai. You can find all of thier cds on Amazon and other retaileirs. I recommend them all, you'll get a playful taste of whats to be a Venezuelan.

The Golden Rec of this week is Tommy Dorsey. This is the kind of sentimental music that often reminds us of WWII, and the nostalgia over old americana. This jazz trobonist is a signature item in the big band era. I dunno about you, but big bands put me in a good mood sometimes.
I found a great compilation the other day browsing thruogh amazon, The Sentimental Gentleman of Swing: Centennial Collection. Its a great quality, fair price collection. Just listening to these song are just too great of a soul encounter.
I know that sometimes I get too focussed on the 40's - 50's so next week I'll be trying something a little bit newer...hehehe

Hope you have fun experimenting.
Avi

Currently listening : The New Sound of the Venezuelan Gozadera By Los Amigos Invisibles Release date: 28 March, 2000