Miguel’s Life Soundtrack Part 1
As I approach my 44th birthday and realize how important music is to my daughters, I've contemplated my musical influences throughout my lifetime. These are the first 5 tracks of my soundtrack, covering my early years in Puerto Rico. Impatient? Check out the whole Side A of the soundtrack at Apple Music.
Lado A - Foundation - Tracks 1 - 5
Genesis
My journey started in Puerto Rico's coastal town of Fajardo, where I lived until I turned 6. Within my iconic memories of this time was a Big Bird record player. A gift, I don't remember for what holiday, but I do remember playing with it for years. Records were the norm then, and my parents didn't want me messing with theirs, so they gave me one to play with: Wilkins' Sereno. After hundreds of repetitions and many D batteries later, 'Sopa de Caracol' became part of my musical foundation. It could have been worse; it could have been Pimpinela.
Birthdays
We moved to Levittown when I was entering first grade. Where we lived close to my mom's family, more specifically, my grandmother Agüi. I loved hanging out at my grandmother's house, playing around the pana trees with my cousin, and eating beans & patita (pork feet) soup with arepas fritas or dumplings with bacalao (cod). I never really liked el refresco de güanabana, a favorite in her house. One characteristic of her was her joy of Mexican rancheras. My grandparents picked up the music while they lived in L.A., where my mom was born, and brought it back to the island. But, nothing reminds me more of the times than Agüi playing 'Las Mañanitas' for our birthdays. I love you, Agüi.
Christmas
In my house, La Tuna de Cayey was and still is a crucial component of the long holiday season between October and February. For those confused, Tuna es la que canta, en español se come atún, unless you are Mexican, in which case you eat both. Back to the Tuna de Cayey, they had a medley that was the most popular in my house; their medley had parts of songs that I'd never heard whole, and that included characters like a run-over frog, a cat suffering from cramped legs, a monkey swinging from tree to tree and a variety of pigs with bad fortune. That song should be included here, but there's nothing more iconic of a Puerto Rican Christmas than 'La Fiesta de Pilito' and 'No Hay Cama Pa' Tanta Gente.'
Movimiento Urbano
My introduction to the Movimiento Urbano was in elementary school with Ruben DJ's 'La Escuela' and his songs about the multiplication tables. I think that counts. It could be argued that Vico C and Playero have a legitimate claim to this spot. Still, Ruben DJ's tapes were handed out in elementary school.
Fiestas de marquesina
In Puerto Rico, we mainly have marquesinas instead of garages. Marquesinas are like carports, except they are usually the length of the house and attached to the structure. Later in my elementary school years, the kids used to have little parties with mezcla sandwiches (Spam and cheese filling) and music, including merengue, bachata, and, at the time, salsa romantica. When the romantic salsa song would play, everyone would line up to ask their crush out to dance. I remember a couple of twins in my class; no one could tell them apart, but they were the most demanded dance partners. Although my pick would not fit within the time frame by a couple of years, Jerry Rivera's 'Cara de Niño' is my defacto romantic salsa era representative.