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A life in song

Nick Lyne: Chavela Vargas – legend of Mexican music, friend of Frida Kahlo, and sexually liberated hell-raiser – has died.

Chavela Vargas, who attained legendary status through her renditions of Mexican ranchera music throughout much of the Spanish-speaking world in her final years, died on August 3, at the age of 93. Born Isabel Vargas Lizano in Costa Rica, before being abandoned by her parents as a child, she moved to Mexico aged 17, in 1936. Her arrival coincided with the rise of ranchera music, which like country music in the United States, was initially a celebration of rural values, but soon became a format to explore themes such as the hopelessness of love, the sorrows of which are best drowned in the bottle. Vargas soon became part... 1 Comment / Read More »

SPAIN, PORTUGAL, IBERIA AND BEYOND IN SOUND...

From Flamenco to Fado, from classical to rock, Spain, Portugal and Latin America have contributed enormously to world music. Browse the genres, the best-selling artists and the most influential bands in our selection of CDs and MP3 downloads. Offered in association with Amazon.

MUSIC VIEWS & REVIEWS

The Serrat–Sabina generation: sitting comfortably

The voices of a generation: Sabina (left) and Serrat.

Nick Lyne: Spain’s two leading singer songwriters of the last four decades, Joaquín Sabina and Joan Manuel Serrat, are proving enduringly popular, both individually and as a double act.... No Comments / Read More »

The Outsiders!

Anthony Steyning: The music of Iberia has the strongest of identities, yet it has absorbed many influences over the decades - and become a powerful influence itself. ... No Comments / Read More »

Wilco’s Spanish honeymoon

Wilco: too good to be true - in Spain at least.

Guy Hedgecoe: When everyone loves your favourite band, you start to hanker for just a little bit of dissent.... No Comments / Read More »