Cunabiche Adentro is one of my favorite El Gran Combo songs. Andy Montañez really does it in this one! When asked about 3 important moments in his career, he mentioned the recording of this song first.
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¿Puede elegir tres momentos importantes de su carrera?
-Uno fue cuando grabamos en vivo un tema en Venezuela, que se llama “Cunabiche Adentro” es decir, monte adentro y grabamos en vivo rodeados de 25,000 personas, fue impresionate
The song is originally by Ali Primera. From wikipedia-
“He recorded his first album Gente de mi tierra in a studio in Germany. Primera’s compositions talk about the suffering of the people, destroyed by poverty and social inequality. Because of his songs, he quickly made his way into the hearts of the people and soon became known as El Cantor del Pueblo or The People’s Singer.”
Apparently this is a song that held great meaning for the people of Venezuela.
A sample of Cunabiche Adentro. About 3/4 of the way through.
It starts of rather sedately, yet suspensefully. You can hear the excitement of the crowd, as if they know what is coming and can hardly wait. The first time I heard this I was bored as it takes a full 2 minutes until it starts picking up, until then it is almost a mournful dirge. Some horns play, there is a little piano in the back but mostly just plaintive singing.
But then, right before the 2 minute mark it seems to taper off and end, the crowd becomes a bit noisier. And then, the horns spring to life and Andy sings “canto el gallo en la manana” and the crowd goes mad.
This for me is one of the most transcendent moments in salsa. I literally get chills sometimes when I hear this. I smile when I hear it, the crowd is clearly elated and Andy is pouring himself into this song. I feel that there is a communion of sorts and the crowd and the band are united in their joy at this moment. I love it.
And then, some El Gran Combo-ing (ie the music plays in that old EGC fashion) that peters out and then more restrained singing.
“….El le canta a la tristeza
Que en el caney se metió
(….drum roll and intense horns)
Nunca la puede sacar
Porque la lleva por dentro
And then- horns stab at the calm and Andy RIPS IT UP!!
“El llanero canta y llora
El llanero canta y cabalga
El llanero canta y llora
El llanero canta y cabalga”
The crowd is insane! By this point I am usually fully hyped and excited and i sing the next part at the top of my lungs as if I am in concert as well.
“Cubaniche Cubaniche Cubaniche Cubaniche Cubaniche Cubaniche Adentro!”
It goes full speed and then just ends. The song peaks so near the end that you never really come down, its awesome!!
El Gran Combo recorded this live in Venezuela,it can be found on the 1976 release Mejor Que Nunca.
Lyrics- I found them online and haven’t checked them against the vocals to see how accurate they are.
Va cabalgando el llanero
Oliendo a sudor de vaca
Y al cafecito negro
Que bebió en la madrugada
Va cabalgando el llanero
Lo acompaña su tonada
Cuando le canta a la luna
Cuando la luna tiene agua
Huele a no se que la brisa
Se pone a ladrar el perro
Iba llorando el llanero
Aunque lo escuche cantar
Canta el gallo en la mañana
Pero nadie ha averiguao
Cuando es que ´ta triste el gallo
Cabalga
Siempre el llanero
Llorando
Siempre el llanero
Chapoteando en el estero
Una bandada de corocoras
Que se eleva hiriendo al cielo
Vuelve mas triste al llanero
El le canta a la tristeza
Que en el caney se metió
Nunca la puede sacar
Porque la lleva por dentro
El llanero canta y llora
El llanero canta y cabalga
El llanero canta y llora
El llanero canta y cabalga
Llorando el llanero
Sufriendo el llanero
Cunaviche adentro
Cunaviche adentro
Llorando el llanero
Sufriendo su tierra
Llorando su suelo
Cunaviche adentro
Cunaviche adentro
Un rastrojo adentro
Y su tonada dulcita
Como agua de tinajero
Pa´ endulzar su cafe negro
Aunque no endulze su vida
Iba llorando el llanero
Cunaviche adentro
Llorando el llanero
Cunaviche adentro
Un rastrojo adentro
Llorando su suelo
Llorando hasta al sombrero
Llorando al caballo
Tierra adentro
Llanero adentro
Sufirimiento adentro
Llorando el llanero
Llorando hasta al sombrero
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