The 500 - #474 - Manu Chao - Proxima Estacion: Esperanza

I was inspired by a podcast called The 500 hosted by comedian Josh Adam Meyers. His goal, and mine, is to explore Rolling Stone's 2012 edition of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. 

My plan (amended). 

• 1 or 2 records per week & at least 2 complete listens.
• A quick blog post for each, highlighting the important details and a quick background story.
• No rating scale - just an effort to expand my appreciation.

Album # 474

Album Title: Proxima Estacion: Esperanza
Artist: Manu Chao
Released: June, 2001
My age at release: 35
How familiar am I with it: Not at all
Song I am putting on my Spotify Mix: Infinita Tristeza
Great Lyric:
Mum: El padre pone la semilla como te he dicho, y la madre pone la tierra en que esa semilla hará la flor. Boy: Y quién es la flor?
Mum: Tú


FACT: This record needs to be added to your collection...or Spotify shuffle...or ITunes Playlist. It has utility in any of the following situations...

• Prepping, Cooking, Serving or Eating Food
• Cleaning the House
• Hosting a small group of friends
• Hosting a large party
• Lounging in the sun
• Exercising
• Writing this blog

French-born, Spanish multi-instrumentalist Manu Chao brings an ecclectic mix of Latin-infused, worldbeat/reggae in six different languages on this extraordinarily upbeat and joyous record. The 17 songs are short and flow seamlessly into one another - connected beautifully through musical phrases, samples, soundbites and themes that reappear throughout. 

Things I learned

• The languages on this record are French, Spanish, English, Arabic, Galacian and Portuguese - but Manu records in other languages too (Show Off!).
• He was born in Paris after his mother and father- journalist Ramon Chao- escaped Fraco's dictatorship in Spain. 
• His family background is Galacian - an autonomous community in the Northwest corner of Spain.
• The song Denia is in Arabic and is about the Algerian Civil War (1991-2002). 
• The song Infinita Tristeza contains soundbites and clips from a 1977 cartoon documentary about pregnancy and childbirth.
• I have been studying Spanish for a few years now - it is a frustratingly slow process. However, I was delighted when I saw the title and was immediately able to translate it - Next Station: Hope.  The title comes from an station on Madrid's Metro.