bachatas

[elisamaria]

anyone know how i can get to the forums for the bachateros?? somebody please direct me to the bachata chats.


thanks

[pygmalion]

Hi elisamaria. Welcome. :D

I have no idea where to find such chats, but I'll google and see if I can find any. While you're here, check out the salsa forum. There are a couple bachata threads there that you may want to contribute to.

Welcome.

Jenn

[pygmalion]

Nothing yet. Everything I've found so far has been a passing reference buried in a salsa page. I'll keep looking, though. :D

[pygmalion]

Still no luck on the chats. I did find this excerpt from a book published by Temple University Press in 1995.

http://home-3.tiscali.nl/~pjetax/historias/history_bachata.html

I'll keep looking, and I'll also ask my technie Dominican friend, Peter. If anybody knows, he should. He LOVES bachata and merengue.

[pygmalion]

More bachata history. I'm finding it hard to believe that I can't find discussion groups. There must be something out there. Hmm.

http://www.salsadance.com/BACHATA.HTM

[pygmalion]

This guy might know something. Why not email him? From his web page, it looks like he's an authority on dminican music, and he gives contact in on his site, so why not? :idea: :roll:

www.demko.com/cb000313.htm

[salsarhythms]

Hey Elisa...

Well, you can start one up right here...

Let's talk bachata...

Who do you listen to and who do you enjoy the most dancing to?

[pygmalion]

I found this web site -- Dominican dance and music workshops. If you want, I'll email them and ask for info about bachata chat groups. Okay?

kiskeya-alternative.org/afrocarib-workshop/experience.html

[pygmalion]

Ha! Found one. It's in Spanish -- hope that's not a problem (I think there's a translate function) But there's definitely a chat room. Enjoy! :D

http://www.sabordominicano.com/bachata/

[dragon3085]

I agree lets start a chat here. Why do you like or Dislike bachata? Me I think the music is very infectious and the dance itself is very easy for a beginner to pick up.

[elisamaria]

the reason i love bachatas is because they express the true feelings that people go through life and i know it may sound like a cliche; however, i do truly believe that they come from the heart of everyone, as if they know the experiences everyone has gone through, they seem to know exactly how pain feels at a particular time, especially when one is in love or on the rebound wanting someone back or when you try to forget a moment or particular person.


Elisa

[pygmalion]

You know, elisamaria, I think that's what a lot of people miss, myself in the recent past included. The see the relative simplicity of the STEOS of bachata, and they don't realize that every dance has much complexity and value, when you bring your spirit.

[mhgroove]

I would like to learn more about bachatas. Beside Juan Luis Guerra, could someone give me a list of great bachata music.

Fernando, I just came from your website. Good work!!

[Suaveson]

I love bachata music/dancing
(In between those exhausting merengue, salsa, cumbia marathons some bachatas is way for me to still dance and catch a breather. :P

I can help you out with some good bachata groups

Anthony Santos -(probably my favorite bachatero) - Pegame tu vicio
El Gringo De Bachata
MONCHY Y ALEXANDRA - La hoja en blanco
FRANK REYES - nada de nada
RAULIN RODRIGUEZ - medicina de amor
Los Toros Band - Quizas si, quizas no, Mi Nina
Alex Buenos - Que Vuelva

I have a some and a few people in my family have, in my opinion every bachata CD ever sold! :shock:

[mhgroove]

Thanks Suaveson,

I'm looking to look for some of those artists you wrote..next week! Have a good weekend!

[elisamaria]

PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU LOOK UP THE GRUPO CALLED AVENTURA, TRUST ME YOU WILL LOVE THEM ALSO YOSKAR SARANTE.

SHOKRON,

ELISA MARIA 8)

[salsarhythms]

Suaveson picked a few of my favorites...nice list...

Aventura is very cool, it's a newer style of Bachata with a different
guitar but it is very cool.

El Ciegito is good.

Luis Vargas

Monchy y Alexandra (Very, Very good...)

[brujo]

So here is a little history lesson I got from a Dominican coat check guy.

Aparently bachata was considered low class music by a lot of white middle class dominicans. They saw it as crass and unfitting for them, and merengue was the craze and biggest export of the Dominican Republic.

Then, there was a merengue contest in the Island, which was won by Juan Luis Guerra. When one of the judges was asked about his band, the judge replied, that band is a 4-40, which is some musical term for the most perfect something in music. Juan Luis Guerra will go on to record Burbujas de Amor, which was the first time a white person recorded a bachata and it gained acceptance by the the rest of the island. And this is how bachata started to gain ground...

Mind you, this is just the folklore that is circulated in a late night talking to a coat check guy.

[borikensalsero]

So here is a little history lesson I got from a Dominican coat check guy.

Aparently bachata was considered low class music by a lot of white middle class dominicans. They saw it as crass and unfitting for them, and merengue was the craze and biggest export of the Dominican Republic.

Then, there was a merengue contest in the Island, which was won by Juan Luis Guerra. When one of the judges was asked about his band, the judge replied, that band is a 4-40, which is some musical term for the most perfect something in music. Juan Luis Guerra will go on to record Burbujas de Amor, which was the first time a white person recorded a bachata and it gained acceptance by the the rest of the island. And this is how bachata started to gain ground...

Mind you, this is just the folklore that is circulated in a late night talking to a coat check guy.

I'm blurry with merengue and bachata as I read of their history a couple years ago and haven't followed it since. But here is what I roughly remember.

The 4-40 name came, if I remember correctly, from the bar that Juan Luis Guerra used to play. I believe the bar was located in Santiago, which I believe is where el merengue tipico came from, or was it perico ripiao. Hmmm... Santiago happens to be the area where white dominicans are mostly consentrated. If you ever meet a white dominican, chances are they are from Santiago.

Bachata as brujo mentions was a Bar dance which meant that it was danced by those deemed "low-class" of the domican society. Bachata has been traced back all the way to the Cuban Danza. However, bachata wasn't the only music considered low calss in Domincan history, so was Merengue, not until, God, trujillo I think, got there and deemed merengue the dance of DR did it take off to what it is now. I'm pretty sure it came about because of a song made in his name when he took power. He tried to break class barriers and such and merengue was the seemingly way to do it.

Passed that all I see is blur... I appologize in advance if I've mistaken some info, so don't quote me. :roll:

All throughout caribbean music history there has been opposition to new trends in music by the "upper class". Rumba suffered it, son, son montuno, etc, in Cuba. Bomba, Plena, Decima, in Puerto Rico. Merengue, bachata, in the Domincan Republic. Pretty much anything that wasn't danza (White European Music) was deemed low class, hence only heard and danced by the "lower class" communities. Salsa, and any other of its members born in NY City suffered such fates as well.

[pelao]

A long time ago, one of DR's presidents was from santiago. Santiago is important because it is hailed as the music capital of dr. So, the president started having merengue tipico (the original type of merengue, still played today, and getting very popular again) group at his parties, festivals, and even at his inauguration (i think, it was something like that though). From that point, merengue got popular. Eventually, people in the capital started changing the sound for a more mainstream/pop appeal by adding saxophones and trumpets. Then even added the congas, which before was not seen in merengue. Many people resented this - they felt by turning it into a 'big band' style group and sound, it ruined merengue.

I personally like both, but i do listen to tipico more.

I like bachata a lot too.

[salsarhythms]

Very good stuff guys...great work...

I know 4-40 was taken as name because it means perfect...I'm
not sure if the bar he played at was where the name came
from, but 4-40 is for perfection, or in other words "Sin
Tacha (Falta)".

As far as Bachata, it is STILL considered a music for the
"low class" of Dominican Republic. Although it does have
acceptance on the island, it is more so because of the
tourism (which DR relies so heavily on)...

But as far as the music itself, it is not highly regarded
because this is supposed to be the music of the poor, the
drunks and the dis-enfranchised.

Merengue was also on the short end of the acceptance stick
but it was never as bad as Bachata...and yes it wasn't
until Trujillo (One of the most ruthless dictators) made
it his own that it became acceptable.

[MacMoto]

Anyone seen this film?
http://www.santodomingoblues.com/
Santo Domingo Blues

A feature documentary produced and directed by Alex Wolfe.

Santo Domingo Blues is the story of Luis Vargas and Bachata, the guitar
blues of Santo Domingo.
Born in the bars and brothels of the Dominican Republic, it is now eclipsing rap as the music of choice for Latino youth across the USA.
With performances by Luis Vargas, Raulín Rodríguez, Luis Segura,
Eladio Romero Santos, Aridia Ventura, Ramón Cordero, Teodoro Reyes, and Joan Soriano. Check it out.

[chico lindo]

I thought it was interesting that bachata is considered "low class" in DR. It surprised me when I heard that but it makes sense. I've seen that most "low class" music is usually the best music. Hip Hop was thought to be "low class" at one time. Being raised in LA... rancheras, nortenas, and banda were also thought to be "low class" by Mexicans but now you can't go down the street without hearing someone bumping it out of their ride. I live in Vegas now and you can be rest assured that I'm bumping bachata all the way down the strip! :D

[Sagitta]

Glad to have another bachata lover join us!! :D Welcome to DF chico lindo!! :)

[pygmalion]

I thought it was interesting that bachata is considered "low class" in DR. It surprised me when I heard that but it makes sense. I've seen that most "low class" music is usually the best music. Hip Hop was thought to be "low class" at one time. Being raised in LA... rancheras, nortenas, and banda were also thought to be "low class" by Mexicans but now you can't go down the street without hearing someone bumping it out of their ride. I live in Vegas now and you can be rest assured that I'm bumping bachata all the way down the strip! :D

Welcome, chico lindo. Nice to have to with us. And, btw, I know I'm showing my ignorance here, but what are rancheras, nortenas, and banda? :oops: 8) :D

[pygmalion]

Anyone seen this film?
http://www.santodomingoblues.com/
Santo Domingo Blues

A feature documentary produced and directed by Alex Wolfe.

Santo Domingo Blues is the story of Luis Vargas and Bachata, the guitar
blues of Santo Domingo.
Born in the bars and brothels of the Dominican Republic, it is now eclipsing rap as the music of choice for Latino youth across the USA.
With performances by Luis Vargas, Raulín Rodríguez, Luis Segura,
Eladio Romero Santos, Aridia Ventura, Ramón Cordero, Teodoro Reyes, and Joan Soriano. Check it out.

Nope. do you know where to get a copy of the film?

[MacMoto]

Anyone seen this film?
http://www.santodomingoblues.com/
Santo Domingo Blues



Nope. do you know where to get a copy of the film?
Looks like you'll have to wait...

See http://www.santodomingoblues.com/upcoming.html
Santo Domingo Blues will be shown at Anthology Film Archives, 2nd Ave. and 2nd St., Manhattan at 5 pm on Saturday, February 28 and 9 pm, Tuesday March 2nd. The film will be screening in Berlin, Germany in the Cinemaxx Studio 15 (European Film Market, Berlinale). Screening dates: February 7, 13:30, February 9, 17:30. SDB wil also screen at the Eistadt Kino in Kreuzberg, Berlin on February 13 and 14. More New York and Boston screenings coming soon. Help us work with student groups and College Departments to bring the film to your school.

Soundtrack CDs, DVDs and videos of the movie will soon be available through this website.

I only found about this film through an advert about its screening at a cinema in Edinburgh. I didn't go though -- I went to a salsa social instead.

[mellody43]

ooooh! I get to dance to maybe two bachatas every weekend night -- mixed in with salsa, cumbia, merengue ... with the right partner they are really intense and memorable!

I am trying to find a version of "Eso No Es Amor" (I found a version by Aventura? Is this the original?) - ths one I hear is sung completely by a woman. Anybody know who it is??

Melissa

[Suaveson]

I thought it was interesting that bachata is considered "low class" in DR. It surprised me when I heard that but it makes sense. I've seen that most "low class" music is usually the best music. Hip Hop was thought to be "low class" at one time. Being raised in LA... rancheras, nortenas, and banda were also thought to be "low class" by Mexicans but now you can't go down the street without hearing someone bumping it out of their ride. I live in Vegas now and you can be rest assured that I'm bumping bachata all the way down the strip! :D

Welcome, chico lindo. Nice to have to with us. And, btw, I know I'm showing my ignorance here, but what are rancheras, nortenas, and banda? :oops: 8) :D

I'll try to help some on this one.
Rancheras, Nortenas, and banda are regional Mexican music/dancing that are also popular in the Southern U.S. especially Texas, California, New Mexico.

They all are heavy on the accordion, gutiar, and even some band instruments(talking about banda music)(like tuba, trombone,).

For rancheras (like tejano music) look up the following groups:

Michael Salgado - La Media Vuelta
Intocable - No te vayas
Eddie Gonzalez - El Disgusto
Los Tigres del norte
Los Dos Gilbertos - Redoblando (this one is fun to dance to like line dancing with a large group of people.)

ranchera music is very close to country and western dancing mixed with a little cumbia & country jitterbug.

For banda and nortena music

Look up the following groups

Los Tucanes de tijuana
Banda El Recodo
Huapangos - puro norte


The banda music a dance called quebradita.
this is danced very close and can best be described as a horse like trot*(yep a trot.)
It was too bouncy for me but I still enjoy the music.
hope this helps a little

chow

[chico lindo]

Couldn't have answered better myself Pygmalion. Bottomline...it's great music to dance and drink to...just like bachata :D Didn't mean to turn this into a ranchera forum :D

By the way, I am so bachata starved. I had the worst luck this weekend trying to dance some bachata. I was at the Rio Casino with some friends but ducked out early to catch some bachata at the Gold Coast casino next door. It's mostly a salsa club but they occasionaly play bachata. As soon as I came to the door they were playing bachata. You should have seen the smile on my face. I went in and there were no women! After a frantic search I had to "borrow" a lady from a guy. As soon as I made my first move the song ended :x And no bachata the rest of the night :evil: Next night I go to the SRO (local club). They play bachata around 30% of the time. I knew I was going to get my fix :D They start playing bachata and I get this cute girl to dance with me. Everything is good for about 45 seconds and then her jealous ex-man shows up. Next thing you know he's trying to box me and we get thrown out of the club. :evil: How did I get involved in that? (Not the first time it has happened to me). Next night I go to a local Dominican party and I thought they were playing bachata for sure...The band didn't know how to play bachata :x What's going on?

I swear, if I hit the jackpot, I'm opening up an all bachata club :D

[elisamaria]

i feel everyone who loves bachatas, at least you chico lindo, you get to listen to bachatas at clubs, i never do!!! it sucks trust me, but as far as rancheras and nortenas, i love those to i used to bump on my ride to that but now it's all about bachatas, se me esta notando lo colombiana!!! but don't worry i love all spanish music, i am a big mixture of latina, so as long as i can move to it and call it dancing i am happy!!!!

Jamila (elisa maria)

[danceguy]

Last night at our local Salsa spot I recall about 3 bachatas were played in a period of 3 hours...so maybe one per hour, not a lot.

I danced my first one with a lady who knew the steps and it really was fun...I'm just learning the basics but it was a nice breather from the fast Salsas that had been playing earlier. I would have danced more but not everyone does it or wants to...but I've been practicing at home...I really love the music. :P

SG

[dessaix]

my personal favorites and probably the best out there 8)


anthony santos
los toros band
daniel moncion
monchy y alexandra
frank reyes
joseph fonseca
and maybe.. aventura (i don't like the lyrics as much)

for quality bachata's log onto kazaa and start downloading anything from these. anthony santos is my top pick.

note: los toros also has alot of merengue out there also

[Salcero]

anyone know how i can get to the forums for the bachateros?? somebody please direct me to the bachata chats.


thanks

Why not start one, if one doesn't exist? Besides the 1-2-3 tap dance ... the music has a lot of interesting love stories.

If you go to a site with a lot of Dominicans, I'm sure you'll find discussions about Bachata.

[LovingIt28]

awe3some thread, I have ordered that movie. hurray :)

[LovingIt28]

By the way, I am so bachata starved. I had the worst luck this weekend trying to dance some bachata. I was at the Rio Casino with some friends but ducked out early to catch some bachata at the Gold Coast casino next door. It's mostly a salsa club but they occasionaly play bachata. As soon as I came to the door they were playing bachata. You should have seen the smile on my face. I went in and there were no women! After a frantic search I had to "borrow" a lady from a guy. As soon as I made my first move the song ended And no bachata the rest of the night Next night I go to the SRO (local club). They play bachata around 30% of the time. I knew I was going to get my fix They start playing bachata and I get this cute girl to dance with me. Everything is good for about 45 seconds and then her jealous ex-man shows up. Next thing you know he's trying to box me and we get thrown out of the club. How did I get involved in that? (Not the first time it has happened to me). Next night I go to a local Dominican party and I thought they were playing bachata for sure...The band didn't know how to play bachata What's going on?

I swear, if I hit the jackpot, I'm opening up an all bachata club :D


Lol, know the feeling except for the fighting...........but definitely the mad scramble for a girl to dance bachata too especially when the songs are in short supply he he :)