– Agustin Lara – Noche Criolla Palmera – Rosa – Musart Records M-952 – Gordon Skene Sound Collection –
Two sides by the legendary Mexican composer/pianist Agustin Lara. Originally issued on a 78 rpm disc in the 1950s these sides were also part of a 10″ album issued by the Mexican label Musart around the same time.
Agustin Lara is recognized as one of the most popular Mexican songwriters of the 20th century. His work was not only very popular in his native Mexico, it had an international popularity that extended well into Central and South America as well as Europe, Italy, Japan and the U.S.
With a catalogue of some 700 songs to his credit, including Granada, which became an International Standard and has been recorded by everyone from Frank Sinatra to Luciano Pavaroti. Born in Mexico in 1897, Lara began writing and performing in 1927, and by 1930 had already established himself as a major talent in Mexico. He continued writing and performing as well as touring. In the 1940s his reputation extended over to Europe and he was a major talent in Spain.
He continued to write and perform, as well as record up until the time his health began to decline in 1968. At the time of his death in 1970 he was internationally renown and his songs were recorded by a vast range of artists all over the world.
Sadly, there is no recording date information on these discs. But it’s safe to assume they come from the period between 1950 and 1954. The A side of the disc is Noche Criolla Palmera, which features Lara in a solo piano setting. The b-side is Rosa which features Agustin Lara singing and accompanying himself.
You may not be familiar with the music of Agustin Lara, but he was an important figure in World Music, and certainly a widely revered figure in his native Mexico.
Two sides you may not have heard before – but worth a listen nonetheless.
