Latin artist Mercedes Sosa dies

[dipsydoodle]

Argentine folk singer and activist Mercedes Sosa has died aged 74 after suffering kidney problems.

Sosa's popularity in Latin America spanned four decades, but she fell foul of the Argentine junta in the 1970s.

Her latest album has been nominated for three Latin Grammy awards, which are due to be announced in November.

Dubbed "the voice of the silent majority", Sosa was credited with championing the poor and fighting for political change.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8289370.stm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4LJDTlviKw

[flamingdem]

1. RIP to the wonderful Mercedes Sosa nt

[rabs]

2. Sad day in Argentina

Mercedes is lying in state at the National Congress building in Baires. Argentines are forming long lines to enter the Congress and pay their last respects. Btw, she was known as "La Negra" in Argentina; there is nothing racist about that. Sign says "Gracias Negra, for your songs and your struggle."


Announcement by the family:

On this date, in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, we have to inform you that señora Mercedes Sosa, the greatest artist of Latin American folkloric music, has left us.

En el día de la fecha, en la ciudad de Bs As, Argentina, tenemos que informarle que la señora Mercedes Sosa, la más grande Artista de la Música Popular Latinoamericana, nos ha dejado.

From her Webpage:

Of course we are moved and we want to share this sadness. But, at the same time, we are tranquil that everyone did all that was possible -- including our Negra, (for her) to stay just a little while more among us.

Por cierto estamos conmovidos y queremos compartir con ustedes esta tristeza. Aunque, al mismo tiempo, nos queda la tranquilidad de que todos hicieron lo posible- incluida nuestra Negra- para quedarse un ratito más entre nosotros.

History, songs, photos and more at her website

http://www.mercedessosa.com.ar/marcosmaster.htm

[Judi Lynn]

3. Returning later to read your additional material. Thanks for the photo.

What a unbelievably wonderful voice, exceptional spirit.

No one like this lady.

[Judi Lynn]

4. Omigosh, dipsydoodle. Never heard the song by Mercedes Sosa you have linked.

I only had time to hear the first few notes of her voice, and have to run already. Will listen to this completely later this evening. It sounds wonderful.

There's simply no one else of her quality. She will be missed as long as anyone lives who has learned about her.

Thanks for posting this exceptional song.

[romy]

5. Balderrama is a wonderful song

of a continued struggle. And a call for Latin American LEADERSHIP, which I believe is still needed.


A orillitas del canal
Cuando llega la mañana
Sale cantando la noche
Desde lo de balderrama

Adentro puro temblor
El bombo con la baguala
Y se alborota quemando
Dele chispear la guitarra

Lucero, solito
Brote del alba
Donde iremos a parar
Si se apaga balderrama

Si uno se pone a cantar
Un cochero lo acompaña
Y en cada vaso de vino
Tiembla el lucero del alba

Zamba del amanecer
Arrullo de balderrama
Canta por la medianoche
Llora por la madrugada.

[ChangoLoa]

10. Words by

Manuel José Castilla

Pesame

[romy]

6. So many wonderful songs though...

Solo le Pido a Dios
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIrot1Flczg

Gracias a la vida
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyOJ-A5iv5I

[rabs]

7. She is lying in state at the National Congress in Buenos Aires

President Cristina Fernandez was among thousands who paid their respects on Sunday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApufD9wlL44
The mourners sang "Luna Tucumana" in her honor.

Another of my favorites is the famous cradle song "Duerme, duerme Negrito."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKgEBBUI6U4

[Judi Lynn]

8. Wonderful links. Over 1,000,000 people have visited the 1st link, and over 2 million, the 2nd.

Welcome to D.U., romy. :hi:

[Judi Lynn]

9. Argentines line streets, applauding in honor as hearse carries folk legend Mercedes Sosa away

Argentines line streets, applauding in honor as hearse carries folk legend Mercedes Sosa away

VANESSA HAND ORELLANA
Associated Press Writer
3:39 p.m. EDT, October 5, 2009

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentines bid farewell to folk singer and human rights activist Mercedes Sosa with flowers and cheers Monday as her body was taken from Congress to the capital's Chacarita cemetery.

The ashes of the singer, who died Sunday at 74, will be scattered in Argentina's capital as well as the provinces of Mendoza and her birthplace Tucuman in accordance with her wishes.

Argentina's president accompanied Sosa's family in paying homage to the singer as she lay in state at Congress. Singer Argentino Luna played her songs as weeping fans sang along and left flowers on her coffin.

Other celebrities sent their eulogies from afar — like Colombia's Shakira, who sings on Sosa's last, Grammy-nominated album. "We are all better for having known her — she showed us that a song can teach us so much," Shakira said.

More:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/news/sns-ap-lt-argentina-mercedes-sosa,0,1993060.story

http://snsimages.tribune.com.nyud.net:8090/media/photo/2009-10/49675838.jpg

Natacha Pisarenko, AP / October 5, 2009

A fan of Argentina's late folk singer Mercedes Sosa holds flowers during her funeral in Buenos
Aires, Monday, Oct. 5, 2009. Sosa, the "voice of Latin America" whose music inspired opponents
of South America's brutal military regimes and led to her forced exile in Europe, died on
Sunday at the age of 74. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

http://snsimages.tribune.com.nyud.net:8090/media/photo/2009-10/49675842.jpg

Natacha Pisarenkoas remains of M, AP / October 5, 2009

Fans of Argentina's late folk singer Mercedes Sosa applaud as a motorcade carries Sosa's
coffin from the National Congress to a local cemetery in Buenos Aires, Monday, Oct. 5, 2009.
Sosa, the "voice of Latin America," whose music inspired opponents of South America's brutal
military regimes and led to her forced exile in Europe, died on Sunday at the age of 74.
(AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

http://snsimages.tribune.com.nyud.net:8090/media/photo/2009-10/49675841.jpg

Natacha Pisarenko, AP / October 5, 2009

A fan of Argentina's late folk singer Mercedes Sosa holds a newspaper clipping with the headline
that reads in Spanish "Mercedes Sosa is in God's hands" during Sosa's funeral in Buenos Aires,
Monday, Oct. 5, 2009. Sosa, the "voice of Latin America" whose music inspired opponents of South
America's brutal military regimes and led to her forced exile in Europe, died on Sunday at the
age of 74. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

http://snsimages.tribune.com.nyud.net:8090/media/photo/2009-10/49675837.jpg

Jose Nuno, ASSOCIATED PRESS / October 4, 2009

FILE - Argentine singer Mercedes Sosa in this undated file photo walks in her hometown of San
Miguel de Tucuman, northern Argentina. Sosa, the "voice of Latin America" whose music inspired
opponents of South America's brutal military regimes and led to her forced exile in Europe, died
Sunday, her family said. She was 74. (AP Photo/La Gaceta, Jose Nuno, file)