Marking the 11 years of the demo Glass House by troubadour Erick Sanchez, the Colibri label made it official.
The disc is accompanied by a funny video to captivate those that arrive for the first time and also to dust of cobwebs these songs tattooed in the memory of those who knew him and applaud him, as one of the most distinguished guitarists of his generation.
This mysterious guy who sings under the downpour as his idolized Kundera , has crept into the minds of many who do not yet know whether they prefer his romantic compositions or social criticism since he learned well soon how to move with equal skill in both areas . Sacred and profane in unison, marginal and sophisticated, macho and tender, wild and clever, he travels with similar expertise between the string and verse. The truth is that nobody is left indifferent by his songs and this has been one of the goals of this pirate, as he stated in Mercedes, provokes, invites reflection and to summon the feeling. He does not want to play at your door, but opens it pleased to deliver eleven songs, different from each other, but permeated all of them by his poetry imprint. OnCuba spoke with the singer.
The album works as a count of more than two decades of songs and takes time running around like independent production: What new things do you propose in the official phonogram?
The novelty of this album is that I finally dress my songs with cute clothes. I mean, it was a treat for me to take all the time in the world to record it when I was at ease. Sometimes I spend more than a month without going to the studio, I waited for musicians who were traveling to record and could thus, without much trouble, achieve precious work arrangements that I had conceived long ago.
Why exactly did you choose Casa de Cristal to title it?
Casa de Cristal is the title of one of my most beloved songs, has been a good daughter over the years. It’s a song that has to be timeless and has high poetic flight. Under her skirts the other songs on the disc find a nice shelter.
In one sentence, how would you define the music you make?
My songs are an accurate reflection of my mischief actions in life.
How do you rate the current situation of the trova in Cuba?
It has had worse moments, now enjoys a greater freedom. Without such “questioning “by the censors now they have more opportunity for display in nightclubs and other places that was unthinkable in the 90s.
How much should you consider your songs owe to Cuban society and its problems?
My topics are divided into two sets of songs. The first is sentimental and loving subject and the second, which is best known, is that of social critique and chronicle the time and place where I live. This is where the Cuban society and its problems bring me a fuel that is expensive and free at the same time. Expensive because we face them every day and so we suffer , and free because taking a pencil (never pen) and believe me I say being able to delete, I get verses like that whip with bells at the tip that José Martí spoke of, is that where the songs come from which people ask me the most in presentations. I reflect with them and often I make fun of things that happen in Cuba, in other states I also would be a indomitable rebel, but the songs would not be the same. In short I owe a lot to all the madness that is the Cuban society and its never-ending problems.
What were the best and worst moments of your career?
The early days were difficult, as often happens in everything. Well, I was surrounded by monsters of the song on top were my contemporaries Vanito , Alejandro Gutierrez, Alejandro Bernabeu , Carlitos Santos and the like . They possessed a mastery of the guitar and they had a long stretch over me, which was obvious in the presentations in which we met. Then each one was taking his way and his own style, some of my best songs came like Casa de Cristal and I started taking less lame steps. After that it was a very large injection working with other musicians sporadically as Frank Delgado, Pedro Luis Ferrer and others I ended up propping front of an audience that began to chant my songs though they were not on the radio. Since then I have continued my way and it’s just nice and colorful.
How important do you give the video clip in the promotion of Cuban trova?
In promoting my work it has not been important, because only I have a clip Una vida pecadora, however I am planning to do another clip with Mi Jevita de la Alianza Frncesa for my next CD and I also do some filming of live performances to promote myself on the Internet and burned disks or flash memories. The visual is very important these days, and people are not content just to listen, they want to see and then also want to play, no problem with me because I let them shamelessly.
What is living and creating in Cuba for Erick Sanchez?
It is a perfect blend of sensations that end up giving birth to songs that other people will then tell to others of times like these were and who were here. I will never go out of Cuba for a long time, I miss this odyssey and also its fruits even if you hurry them to the soaker.
Are you going to release a new album with other lesser-known songs?
I ‘m finishing mastering Tirado en la Calle in another CD that has well-known songs and other less well-known; I’m going well-dressed musically, furnished with a traditional Son format played by excellent musicians. As with Casa … I have taken my time to finish it. Gossip can tell you is that as with the previous this album is named after a beloved song which is also the number 4 in the order of this phonogram.
What immediate prospects and plans you could tell me about?
When I’ll finish this record I will go knocking on the doors of the Cuban record companies and then come others, if there are delays. After having it ready I will introduce it to a group of musicians, I don’t know when and I like that uncertainty, anyway I am still playing in bars. I am at the Tocororo every Thursday at 3rd and 18, Miramar, see you there.
Photo: Still from video clip Una vida pecadora
Author
Cecilia Crespo
