Joropo: Leonard Jacome - Tocando Arpa

Sometimes the sheer skill of a performer can blow you away. That's how I felt after watching the young Venezuelan harpist Leonard Jacome playing with Reynaldo Armas at the Teresa Carreno theatre in Caracas.

If you know anything more about this amazing young harpist please leave a comment.

Documentary - El Carrao de Palmarito

Venezuelan director John Petrizzelli's award-winning 1998 documentary about Llanero singer Juan de Los Santos Contreras, better known as El Carrao de Palmarito, is a classic of the genre.

The 26-minute film is in Spanish but non-Spanish speakers will still enjoy the music and the images of the Llanos region.

For more information about the life of El Carrao de Palmarito, who died in 2002 aged 74, click here:

Expresion Larense: Golpe Tocuyano

A song in honour of Barquisimeto and El Tocuyo by local group Expresion Larense.

The only expression I know from Lara is "na' guará!", a useful expression that defines the region but defies direct translation.

It can be used in a similar way to Paris Hilton's use of the phrase "Oh my God!", which depending on the context can mean: "Oh my God, that's great" or "Oh my God, that sucks!"

Or it can be used like the phrase "no way!" or "wow!" to indicate disbelief or surprise.

"Na´guará" is so prevalent in Barquisimeto and Lara State that the inhabitants of the region are known as Guaros.

If anybody has a better definition of the indefinable "Na'guará" please leave a comment.

Musica Llanera - Caballo Viejo

UPDATE - 19/02/2014: Venezuela Bids Adios to a Much Loved Folk Legend

Probably one of Simon Diaz' most famous songs, Caballo Viejo (Old Horse), was allegedly written by the singer to a young beauty queen. He might be an old horse, goes the song, but he still fancies his chances. It has the typical Llanos accompaniment of maracas, harp and cuatro (small, four stringed guitar). The video couldn't be slushier, but if you're into soft-focus and longing looks across a plate of steaming arepas, this one is for you. The Gipsy Kings called this song "Bamboleo" and had a huge hit with it. But Simon Diaz wrote it.

Caballo Viejo
Translated by Russell Maddicks

When love arrives like this, in this way
you don't even realise
The genipap tree comes to life again
The guamacho tree flowers
and the rope snaps

The horse is put out to pasture
because he is old and tired
but they don't realize
that a heart that is tied
when the reins are released
becomes a runaway horse

And if the old horse meets
a chestnut filly
his heart is pulverized
He ignores the bridle
and he ignores the bit
and false reins don't stop him

When love arrives like this, in this way
you are not to blame
love has no schedule
or a date on the calendar
when desires are joined

The horse is put out to pasture
and his days are numbered
he crosses the plains
with a hurried step
to meet his filly
who has poisoned him

The colt has time for time
but because he's too old
the old horse cannot
lose the flower he's given
because when this life is over
there are no more chances

Report: Simon Diaz to be honoured at Latin Grammy Awards

Click here for a video of "Angustia" by Simon Diaz remixed by Babylon Motorhome

Musica Llanera: William Sarquiz - Pecho Rajao

From the Llanos state of Barinas singer William Sarquiz takes an old-school approach on his hit single "Pecho Rajao" ("Broken Heart" is the closest translation). Sad songs like this are known as "canciones del despecho" and usually involve gallons of aguardiente (cane alcohol) to dull the pain of a lost love. The music is known as a "pasaje" and the singer's nasal tone is typical of Musica Llanera. The video shows some of the birds that are found on these seasonally-flooded plains.