tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774690407548657707.post4042712356424991290..comments2023-10-24T11:11:49.568+01:00Comments on There Are Places I Remember: Songs About Places: Going Down To CubaGeoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10966328708258079467noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774690407548657707.post-37037309306883544232010-09-06T20:54:20.546+01:002010-09-06T20:54:20.546+01:00I understand your point Steve-theres something uni...I understand your point Steve-theres something unique in how Cuba sits outside the mainstream of globalisation. However, organisations like Amnesty and the UK Cuba Solidarity Campaign have sought the embbargo to be lifted due the detrimental effects on Cuban lifeGeoffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10966328708258079467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774690407548657707.post-71429115198924505022010-09-06T20:34:45.608+01:002010-09-06T20:34:45.608+01:00Wow, I honestly had no idea. I really did picture ...Wow, I honestly had no idea. I really did picture it as Berlin circa 1946 - the power of propaganda! Thanks Geoff.Tiffanyehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01945758814187026754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774690407548657707.post-53700099486864260162010-09-06T20:30:14.826+01:002010-09-06T20:30:14.826+01:00I hear you Geoff, but it seems like ending the emb...I hear you Geoff, but it seems like ending the embargo means all the consumer goods flood in, bringing the Americanization of Cuba. Tour trains and trolleys, T-shirt shops, jet skis and Disney cruise ships. The land will once again be stolen from the Cuban people to produce American-manufactured cane fructose for sodas.Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15427693964807938715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774690407548657707.post-5257329575024557442010-09-05T17:53:51.223+01:002010-09-05T17:53:51.223+01:00It's a Caribbean island-lots of colour and mus...It's a Caribbean island-lots of colour and music, white sandy beaches,beautiful countryside with mountains, lakes and forests.Geoffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10966328708258079467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774690407548657707.post-77840139885969871632010-09-05T15:34:13.883+01:002010-09-05T15:34:13.883+01:00Thanks for the photos - it looks like an amazing p...Thanks for the photos - it looks like an amazing place, not at all what I pictured. (which was something much grimmer - Moscow circa the 1970s, etc, minus the snow of course!)Tiffanyehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01945758814187026754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774690407548657707.post-79641582124098391892010-09-05T12:20:02.377+01:002010-09-05T12:20:02.377+01:00Thanks for the song, Matthew-great version of itThanks for the song, Matthew-great version of itGeoffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10966328708258079467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774690407548657707.post-24131468832971724572010-09-05T12:15:24.529+01:002010-09-05T12:15:24.529+01:00Sorry for delays-I was away for 4 days! Re Tiffany...Sorry for delays-I was away for 4 days! Re Tiffanye' comments, I havent got the exat photo but have put up two more photos that could be put together.<br />Thanks for all the links given.<br />Re Steve's comments,that is an interesting observation. I think the embargo-which is causing deaths from lack of medical supplies-is probably different from americanisation and McDonalds though.<br />Yes, Phil Ochs also did Talking Cuban Crisis -'lets sink Cuba into the sea and give them back democracy -under the water'.Geoffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10966328708258079467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774690407548657707.post-15063566818078138622010-09-05T04:58:44.524+01:002010-09-05T04:58:44.524+01:00Do you happen to have a photograph of the scene yo...Do you happen to have a photograph of the scene you describe, Geoff? - "murals of Che Guevara and posters of the Cuban 5 overlooking the musicians playing at every street corner and café." I bet everyone would love to see one, maybe you could add it as another picture for this column, along with the amazing cars one?<br /><br />I'm also pleased you're still writing the column. Although I do think people should give you a break - this Cuba column was only about 8 days after the last one!:) Patience, people! Even music writers are allowed a short summer holiday!:)Tiffanyehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01945758814187026754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774690407548657707.post-14481310046307159162010-09-05T04:42:56.274+01:002010-09-05T04:42:56.274+01:00God I hate Gloria Estefan - very happy you didn...God I hate Gloria Estefan - very happy you didn't pick Cuba Libre as the song for your Cuba column, Geoff!Sam Ohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08523013822784596338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774690407548657707.post-32414238864552253992010-09-05T04:41:52.072+01:002010-09-05T04:41:52.072+01:00Geoff, I agree with you that "There must be a...Geoff, I agree with you that "There must be a moral there somewhere." I'd love to know what you think the moral IS though! That it's stupid for Cuba to be a forbidden place, unreachable to the narrator of Jackson Browne's song - i.e., you think the embargo should be lifted? Doesn't this run the risk of Cuba becoming Americanized - with a McDonalds and Starbucks in every town? I don't know where I stand on this actually! Wondering where YOU stand....Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15427693964807938715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774690407548657707.post-87932396975747606452010-09-05T04:40:46.350+01:002010-09-05T04:40:46.350+01:00This is the most evocative description of Cuba I&#...This is the most evocative description of Cuba I've ever read:<br />"The Hotel Nacional overlooking the Malecon, where once in pre-Castro days Frank Sinatra sung at mafia gatherings where guests dined on tortoise and flamingo and where now you can stay in the Nat King Cole room or look at the photos in the lobby of more recent visitors like Naomi Campbell and Ken Livingstone. Or the Malecon itself, the long coastal stretch where the crumbling grandeur of the palatial buildings is buffeted by the waves and sporadic hurricanes and the smell of brine and fish hangs in the air. Or the initially bizarre sight of 1950’s Chevrolets, Dodges and Cadillacs still driving round, held together by Soviet parts and the ingenuity of Cuban mechanics. "It’ll put a smile on your face to see a Chevrolet with a Soviet transmission”. Or the ubiquitous mojitos and cigars."<br /><br />WONDERFUL!Maggiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07138573821875872323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774690407548657707.post-46247210155919134342010-09-05T04:39:44.921+01:002010-09-05T04:39:44.921+01:00Here is the original article in the New York Times...Here is the original article in the New York Times by Jackson Browne, so everyone can read it: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/22/opinion/22BROW.htmlKylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02241232629745524311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774690407548657707.post-66056708684971149812010-09-05T04:24:58.735+01:002010-09-05T04:24:58.735+01:00I was part of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee dur...I was part of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee during the early 60s, before we were shut down. Some of my writings are in this pamphlet: http://listserv.cddc.vt.edu/marxists/history/canada/socialisthistory/Docs/1961-/Cuba/RealCuba.htm. Now I edit the Socialist Voice (http://www.socialistvoice.ca/). Thank you for your insights, Geoff.John Riddellhttp://www.socialistvoice.ca/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774690407548657707.post-80388544064453938082010-09-05T02:39:03.300+01:002010-09-05T02:39:03.300+01:00I think Phil Ochs also did "Talking Cuban Cr...I think Phil Ochs also did "Talking Cuban Crisis", which is very good. <br /><br />Echoing the folks, above, Geoff, thanks for continuing the column - was worried you had ceased publication and so I stopped checking. Just checked in today to find two postings, which was wonderful. Thanks for making my day!K.B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07064887918789647799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774690407548657707.post-26551528299059498792010-09-05T02:35:49.188+01:002010-09-05T02:35:49.188+01:00Also, here's a long article about the William ...Also, here's a long article about the William Worthy case, for anyone interested in the background (not written by me, I just found it online): http://www.allacademic.com//meta/p_mla_apa_research_citation/2/7/2/1/0/pages272109/p272109-1.phpMatthewnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774690407548657707.post-43269203277527437482010-09-05T02:34:00.107+01:002010-09-05T02:34:00.107+01:00Geoff, here is my version of "The Ballad of W...Geoff, here is my version of "The Ballad of William Worthy." I've been to Cuba too - loved it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49Fu7AKL_bIMatthewnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774690407548657707.post-77972521419395400072010-09-05T02:27:21.230+01:002010-09-05T02:27:21.230+01:00This was a fascinating column. To be honest, until...This was a fascinating column. To be honest, until I read it, I didn't know much about Cuba. It was really just a few words and images - Castro, Bay of Pigs, rum, Elian Gonzalez.Daniellenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774690407548657707.post-3260855953866223382010-09-05T02:26:39.028+01:002010-09-05T02:26:39.028+01:00That's a hilarious observation, about cabbies ...That's a hilarious observation, about cabbies heading to the Lenin statue instead of the Lennon one - ha ha!Jackiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01014678269133561659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774690407548657707.post-49666967132756267732010-09-05T02:24:46.021+01:002010-09-05T02:24:46.021+01:00Geoff, do you also know one of my favorite songs, ...Geoff, do you also know one of my favorite songs, Joni Mitchell's Harlem in Havana? I think you'd like it.Camillenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774690407548657707.post-16943299608958194142010-09-05T02:23:48.795+01:002010-09-05T02:23:48.795+01:00A very different approach to Cuba is the Billy Joe...A very different approach to Cuba is the Billy Joel song "We Didn't Start the Fire" from the 1980s.Alannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774690407548657707.post-57376076003718066262010-09-05T02:22:48.064+01:002010-09-05T02:22:48.064+01:00Geoff, enjoyed the column. You might like my book ...Geoff, enjoyed the column. You might like my book "Music and Revolution" (www.amazon.com/Music-Revolution-Cultural-Socialist-Diaspora/dp/0520247116) - here's an excerpt from its opening. Hope you write some more about Cuba! - http://www.ucpress.edu/content/chapters/10508.ch01.pdfRobin Moorenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774690407548657707.post-16295022567582654432010-09-05T01:50:39.661+01:002010-09-05T01:50:39.661+01:00Thank you for the enlightening column, Geoff. This...Thank you for the enlightening column, Geoff. This is the image that most Americans have of Cuba: http://archives.newyorker.com/?i=1998-01-26 - a dictator with a gun smoking a cigar. Think about it: if even the New Yorker (liberal, intellectual) depicts it this way, what hope is there for the rest of the U.S.A.? And by the way, Fidel stopped smoking in the early 1980s, so this isn't even an accurate rendition! The embargo is not only food and medicine, it is information. Any information. So, thanks.Kathynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774690407548657707.post-45690146250700167162010-09-05T01:36:58.691+01:002010-09-05T01:36:58.691+01:00Geoff, thank you for the column. I recently organi...Geoff, thank you for the column. I recently organized a concert called "Classically Cuban: The World Sings to Cuba" at the Cuban Research Institute at Florida International University. There is so much more that we don't know about Cuban culture and the concert was an attempt to explore it. It included songs from 22 countries, four continents and seven languages that were written during the 19th and 20th centuries. Cuban music is well known and well researched and that's wonderful but fewer people know that foreigners have written songs about it. Japan, Australia, Germany and Brazil were among the nations that were represented. The last song played was "I'll See You In C-U-B-A" by U.S. composer Irving Berlin. The song was written in the '20s during the U.S. Prohibition era. If you wanted to have a good time, you'd go to Cuba! From England, which I think is your home country, we had Alla Cubana. Here is a link to the concert program: <br />http://casgroup.fiu.edu/events/docs/189/1269883910_Concert_Program.pdf<br /><br />We hope to repeat the event - if you are interested, we could send you news of the next concert in case you can attend.<br /><br />warm wishes<br />EmilioEmilohttp://casgroup.fiu.edu/cri/index.phpnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774690407548657707.post-1171495695850803062010-09-05T01:02:50.525+01:002010-09-05T01:02:50.525+01:00Yes! I echo Laura's comments - so glad you'...Yes! I echo Laura's comments - so glad you're still writing the column (although my own late reading/posting was more to do with a summer holiday than giving up on "Songs About Places":) Thought you would enjoy a photo of my son with the John Lennon statue you wrote about: http://www.flickr.com/photos/missmass/570288134/<br />Thanks for the great column.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08001197762338085430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3774690407548657707.post-23660175693111835602010-09-05T00:31:40.867+01:002010-09-05T00:31:40.867+01:00Oh, I'm so glad you're still writing the c...Oh, I'm so glad you're still writing the column. I was worried you had stopped when you didn't post for over a week! And now you have two new columns - what a treat! THANK YOU for not actually having stopped!<br /><br />I loved this Cuba column, including the idea that a song can be about an out-of-reach place that does exist. Another example might be Judy Collins' “Judy Blue Eyes" whicn ends: “How beautiful it would be to bring me to Cuba, the queen of the Caribbean I only want to visit you there, how sad that I can’t go."Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10190486337916706104noreply@blogger.com