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Katia Cardenal
Fragancia - Evert Taube in Spanish

The music of Swedish singer/troubador Evert Taube (1890 - 1976), performed by Nicarauguan singer Cardenal and an ensemble of Cuban and Nowrwegian musicians, recorded in Cuba. Directed and accompanied by Francisco "Pancho" Amat and a small acoustic ensemble (guitars, horns, percussion, flutes, etc) from Cuba.

Listen:
El baile en la isla del sur
Solola

Other recordings by Katia Cardenal

The record label says:
A little less than one hundred years ago Swedish singer and troubadour Evert Taube (1890 - 1976) became fascinated by Latin America. And now Latin American Katia Cardenal has become fascinated by Evert Taube's songs, and she has made Spanish interpretations of them. Recordings were made in Cuba. Naturally.

On Fragancia - Evert Taube in Spanish, we get to hear Evert Taube's familiar ballads in new, melodic interpretations that trigger our curiosity.

Katia Cardenal keeps all the typical Taube elements intact: the joy of life, nature and love, and the warm humour that is part of so many Taube ballads. The Latin American sound suits Taube's songs so well, on reflection this is perhaps not so surprising. Evert Taube became fascinated with Latin America at an early age. He possessed many typical Latin American qualities himself: generous, casual and enjoying life to the full. It was in Latin America that Taube learned to speak Spanish, Italian and French. It was there that he became inspired by the tango. And it was there that he learned to play the guitar. (For a period he was even an Argentinian citizen). Maybe this is why the Latin American interpretations sound so right - as if the tunes were made with that rhythm and sensuality originally. Fragancia - Taube in Spanish becomes even more genuine with the participation of two Cuban bands, giving associations to Buena Vista Social Club and Cuban music from the 50's.

Katia Cardenal performs Taube with deep respect and admiration: "I borrow the songs to realise an idea", she explains and describes her understanding of Taube's relations with Latin America like this: "Like a singing temptress the dark Latin America seduced Evert Taube with her rhythm and colour. He was caught in her arms and all he could do was to capitulate without resistance and offer his songs at her feet. For my own part, I fell in love with the soft fall of autumn leaves and the white and peaceful winter nights by the North Sea shores. This has inspired me in many of my dreams."

About Katia Cardenal
Katia Cardenal comes from Nicaragua. There she released five albums together with her brother. She also worked with Jackson Brown and Silvio Rodriguez. Katia came to live in Norway together with her Norwegian husband in 1997. Here she has received much attention after her release Prøysen in Spanish. Katia Cardenal now lives with her family in Nicaragua on a temporary basis.

Evert Taube was one of the great Nordic ballad writers. Presenting his work in Spanish is a risky venture, some people might say. A couple of years ago, Kirkelig Kulturverksted dressed Prøysen in Spanish garments and latino rhythms. That project became a great success. We expect the same will apply to Katia Cardenal's interpretations of Evert Taube: Taube's fascination and close relations with the Carribean has always been well known and obvious in his writing, and this album enhances those elements further.

If you alread know Evert Taube's ballads though his own recordings or those of his son Sven-Bertil, then you will probably experience Katia's interpretations as warmer, more sensual and (naturally) more feminine. More latino, in other words. This suits his songs.