I didn't get
One thing I noted was that with just 2 Bachata CDs, I arguably have the best and most up-to-date collection of Bachata music in Cambridge. Between my 2 CDs, I have 10 Bachata songs I would rather listen and dance to over any of the Bachata that is currently being played at Club Salsa. Wednesdays is the only night at Club Salsa when more than a couple of Bachata track is played on a given night, and on other nights one or two same tired tracks gets played if at all (added Feb 17). Maybe what I need to do is to bring my music collections to Club Salsa more often. I think the Salsa song selection at Club Salsa also is very limited (some nights are better than others) but I am very unsatisfied with the Bachata selections
For whatever it's worth, Bachata songs I'd play from my 2 CD collection are as follows (in no particular order)
by Toque D'Keda - Te Extrano, Debo Pensar, Pecado, No Me Resigno, Lamento Boliviano, Quiero Hacerte el Amor
by Dominic M - Ven Tu, Senora, La Quiero, You Will Remember Me
[Note: I usually don't bother showing changes I made to the original post, but I thought certain things might lose context otherwise (see comments below).
9 comments:
I find it interesting to read that you think you have the best bachata collection of CD's in Cambridge.(With only owning two CD's.) At Meren-Salsa we possibley have the largest collection of Bachata CD's in the region and bachata was unknown in the Cambridgeshire region until Cristian and myself danced and played it from 2002. The current biggest hits in the Dominican Republic, (the country who's national dance is bachata and merengue and which is the nationality of Cristian ) are Frank Reyes, Princesa and Anthony Santos, Lloro, which are already in our collection.( I was in the Dom.Rep. Dec/Jan, so I know.) Plus, Aventura who are possibley the biggest bachata artists in the world and we have recently DJ'd their live versions of certain tracks from 'God's Project'. These probabley don't appeal to you because your knowledge of bachata is limited. I know you think you have introduced the dance to the region through your contact with Tony and Claudia in the last few months, but unfortunately you are incorrect.
Hi Dee. Thanks for taking an interest in this blog. About me having the best Bachata collection with just 2 CDs was really a tongue-in-cheek statement. I obviously don't know very much about Bachata - and don't really dance it very well either. Correct me if I'm wrong but the way I see it, the number of Bachata songs that has been played at Club Salsa over past year has been pretty small. On Friday, you might get one Bachata (and it's always the same). Same with Monday thus far (albeit I'm only talking from a single night). You don't hear Bachata on Thursdays. Wednesdays has the most number of Bachata, but my impression (I could be wrong) is that the number of Bachata tracks that had been played over the past year on Wednesdays has been about 5 or less (almost certainly less than 10). The fact that I generally don't like Bachata tracks played on Wednesdays is just a personal preference; I most certainly cannot speak for other people's preferences. I probably like my Bachata CDs in part because I have it (this liking of something one has over something one does not have is a common phenomenon).
As for my contribution to Bachata to Cambridge - I know that I didn't introduce it. Heck, I learned Bachata basics first from Mauricio at Club Salsa almost 16 months ago. And as you said, Cristian has been playing Bachata for quite some time. I think I could get a little credit for spiking interest in Bachata in Cambridge by inviting Tony & Claudia. Don't you agree? There are more people interested in the dance because of their visit. While Cristian has always played Bachata, he didn't try to teach the dance in a class setting in all of 2005 (to best of my knowledge) and not until January this year - after Tony & Claudia's first visit to Cambridge.
Yes, you are incorrect in stating that 10 bachata songs have been played since the start of 2006 (or in the last year ??)on Wednesday nights. Usually a set will consist of 1 bachata and 1 merengue track to approx. every 5 salsa tracks with Meren-Salsa Productions, so in the two hours after our classes 4-6 of each ( merengue & bachata) will be played every week. There are people who only like salsa and others who like a mix so we have to try and please everyone and I think we generally do, from the feed back that we get. I personally feel that your original write-up stating: "the bachata selections are just dreadful" is pretty derogatory and insulting to our business.
I noted that my wording was too harsh and arguably insulting so I changed the my writing. This was done immediately after my made my first comment and before you made your second comment. I did leave my old version left out (but with a strikethrough) because without the older version, you may be seen to be over-reacting. I hope this is okay.
My impression was that Cristian plays about 2-3 Bachata songs and 4-8 Merengue songs on an average Wednesday night. If I'm wrong, my understanding/definition of what's Bachata and Merengue would appear to be very different from yours. There are songs that have a Bachata version and a Merengue version, and I would count such song as a Merengue if the Merengue version is played. I didn't mean that only 10 Bachata songs total were played over last year but that it was the same 10 (or less - again I could be wrong about this) songs that got played over and over again. I could be selectively remembering Bachata tracks I hated (like the Hindi -sounding one from last year and a very-fast one in current repertoire) whereas somehow forgetting any Bachata tracks I liked - the trouble is I can't remember any track that I liked a lot.
I apologize for any perceived insults. I was trying to make a comment about song selections by DJs in general in Cambridge - and not pick on a single person. Although I guess I did pick on Joe Davids regarding his song selections over last week. I'll make further clarifications and hope it makes this post more palatable.
This looks like a good opportunity to throw in some general thoughts on Bachata...
I would say Meren' have done a good job of bringing Bachata to the area and I have enjoyed (even helped promote, in my own small way)Christians classes and club nights from the start.
I would also say though, that HYH has recently done good work to help the Bachata cause too.
Personally though, I like the idea of Bachata having a night to itself as I don't particularly like the music or the dance. Even Tony and wiggly bums demo at Britfest seemed pretty dull, so for me it just gets in the way of good salsa.
You could argue ofcourse that this is an increasingly lonely view but I have a feeling that many people who dance to it, just do so because they are out to dance and will dance to most things if given the chance.
I am not a narrow minded person though, so if you guys can make Bachata popular, good on ya' but a mix of the odd Bachata song amongst cool salsa, or better still just a night of 'Pure Salsa' is definitely what it's all about for me! :o)
Hmmmmm. Music and the Cambridge salsa scene. A very lively topic of discussion.
Is music limited in Cambridge? When compared to London or a congress, of course it will be. But to my knowledge, there are no full time / semi-pro latin DJs in Cambridge.. unlike London or even Birmingham. If you are getting paid proper DJ wages, you will be able to develop proper DJ music collections..
It is amazing that a place as small as Cambridge has so much diversity in latin dance and music.. it punches way above its weight. So both Meren-Salsa and HYH should be praised for bringing something new to the scene.
I can honestly say that at no time since 2001 has the scene been so vibrant and lively.. thanks to the work of Vish, the teachers and the DJs.
In defence of our 'very limted' musical selection (I think that was the quote about music at Club Salsa) at Pure Salsa we play what we enjoy dancing to - which means mostly mambo, salsa dura and Puerto Rican styles. I'm afraid that my music collection doesn't cover a wider variety, even though I enjoy bachata and reggaeton, as well as Cuban and Colombian salsa. I wish I had enough cash to buy more music :-)
So let's forget the limitations and celebrate the fact that we have so much salsa, merengue and bachata!
... and dancers with passion and sabor. :)
oh dear,looking at the previous comments, you seem to be getting into hot water with some of your observations. You are subsequently becomming more and more tentative in your narrative, with more and more disclaimers. Perhaps this is being reflected in your dancing? Maybe you just need to think less and enjoy more,
Maybe you're right. Confidence on the dance floor can be shattered pretty easily - a possible topic for a future post. Thanks for your kind comments.
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