Ojala Que Llueva Cafe By Juan Luis Guerra
The
song “Ojala que Llueva Café” was both written and performed by Juan Luis Guerra.
This song falls under the category of Latin dance music, and even more
specifically, Merengue. Juan Luis Guerra is a very popular Latin artist who
originated for Colombia. He has written many famous songs in both Spanish and
English. He has also collaborated with many well-known artists. He not only
writes his songs but he plays them on the guitar, while he is singing. This song
was written to portray his feelings towards his own country and how it has
impacted his life; it is also one of his most popular songs. The
listener is able to pick up on the Latin rhythms and style of the piece right
from the very beginning. This distinct rhythm and vocals are what set this
piece and style of music apart from others. In the song “Ojala que Llueva Café”
there are less instrumental but the main emphasis is on the vocals of the song,
which are sung by Juan Luis Guerra. The vocals carry the melody for most of the
song before passing it to the trumpet that has it for some parts. It helps set
the tone and feel of the piece and the listener is able to interpret the words
however they would like. This creates word painting for the listener, since they
are given actual lyrics to song; they are able to create an image within their
head about the piece of music. There is still an emphasis on brass and
percussion instrumentation. The percussion keeps the song at a constant beat and
tempo for the duration of the song. However, the percussion section is not very
layered and there appears to only be a single drum and shakers that are keeping
the tempo. This tempo and the rhythm of the shaker is where you are able to hear
the dance like qualities of the Latin music. The trumpet, which can be
considered the brass section, has many parts where it plays a certain part of
the melody which can be seen as an accommodating interjection. It becomes a
pretty prominent part in the piece. The percussion and brass add embellishment
to the actual text that the song is about and what Juan Luis Guerra is singing
about, as well as the instruments. The instruments help carry the melody between
the trumpet, which also has a solo and the singer as well. At multiple parts
both the singer and the trumpet have the melody and main chorus throughout the
song. They are able to play off of each other and create this playful and
uplifting tone and feel to the entire piece. The upbeat and polyphonic melody,
as well as the counter melody could also be considered a form of word painting.
In general, though is piece is not heavily influenced with a wide variety of
instruments, you are able to hear and visualize just as many pictures as having
a full wind ensemble. This piece still incorporates classic Latin rhythms which
makes it unique.
song “Ojala que Llueva Café” was both written and performed by Juan Luis Guerra.
This song falls under the category of Latin dance music, and even more
specifically, Merengue. Juan Luis Guerra is a very popular Latin artist who
originated for Colombia. He has written many famous songs in both Spanish and
English. He has also collaborated with many well-known artists. He not only
writes his songs but he plays them on the guitar, while he is singing. This song
was written to portray his feelings towards his own country and how it has
impacted his life; it is also one of his most popular songs. The
listener is able to pick up on the Latin rhythms and style of the piece right
from the very beginning. This distinct rhythm and vocals are what set this
piece and style of music apart from others. In the song “Ojala que Llueva Café”
there are less instrumental but the main emphasis is on the vocals of the song,
which are sung by Juan Luis Guerra. The vocals carry the melody for most of the
song before passing it to the trumpet that has it for some parts. It helps set
the tone and feel of the piece and the listener is able to interpret the words
however they would like. This creates word painting for the listener, since they
are given actual lyrics to song; they are able to create an image within their
head about the piece of music. There is still an emphasis on brass and
percussion instrumentation. The percussion keeps the song at a constant beat and
tempo for the duration of the song. However, the percussion section is not very
layered and there appears to only be a single drum and shakers that are keeping
the tempo. This tempo and the rhythm of the shaker is where you are able to hear
the dance like qualities of the Latin music. The trumpet, which can be
considered the brass section, has many parts where it plays a certain part of
the melody which can be seen as an accommodating interjection. It becomes a
pretty prominent part in the piece. The percussion and brass add embellishment
to the actual text that the song is about and what Juan Luis Guerra is singing
about, as well as the instruments. The instruments help carry the melody between
the trumpet, which also has a solo and the singer as well. At multiple parts
both the singer and the trumpet have the melody and main chorus throughout the
song. They are able to play off of each other and create this playful and
uplifting tone and feel to the entire piece. The upbeat and polyphonic melody,
as well as the counter melody could also be considered a form of word painting.
In general, though is piece is not heavily influenced with a wide variety of
instruments, you are able to hear and visualize just as many pictures as having
a full wind ensemble. This piece still incorporates classic Latin rhythms which
makes it unique.