Regeneration
Los Cenzontles
Adiós California
Murmullos
Ay Pasajero
A Tu Lado
Vuela
Free To Be Me
Un Día Feliz
No Politics
Tirana
The Silence
La Lloroncita
Hijo Mío
La Pelota
Valor Latino
Only Love Can Break A Heart
Produced by Eugene Rodriguez and David Hidalgo
Executive Producers: Jon Logan
Associate Producers: Kawika McKeague and Mike Kappus
C 2012 Los Cenzontles Mexican Arts Center
Recorded by Tom Size at Los Cenzontles Mexican Arts Center, San Pablo, CA.
Additional recording by Paul Dieter and Bryce Gonzales at Five Star Studio, Los
Angeles, CA. Raul Malo recorded by Nathan Yarborough at Blackbird Studio,
Nashville, TN. Mixed by Greg Morgenstein at Enormous Studio, Los Angeles, CA.
Mastered by George Horn, Berkeley, CA.
Cover photo by Mike Melnyk. Cover photo shoot direction by Marie-Astrid DoRodriguez. Photo illustration by Nick Fain. Graphic Design by Michele Perez. Hair
and make up by Sacha Badame. Model: Monze.
Special thanks to David Hidalgo for being our brother; Linda Ronstadt for her
support, advice, song suggestions, introductions, instrument and equipment loans,
and inspiration; Jackson Browne for joining us on this album and being a warm and
generous host in Los Angeles; Raul Malo, Elvin Bishop, Pete Sears, Shira Kammen,
Peter Maund, Cougar Estrada and Carlos Caro for lending their amazing musical
voices; Richard Rodriguez for his patient counsel in searching for a voice for The
Silence; Mike Kappus and Ry Cooder for their ongoing support; and Sam Quinones
for writing the liner notes and paying attention to the changing world around us.
Additional thanks to our incredible Los Cenzontles staff who kept the tortillas warm
during this recording: Marge Betley, Barbara Selhorst, France Do, Marie Astrid DoRodriguez, Lauren Merker, Cary Sheldon and Andy Kridle; and Tracy Singleton for
the amazing dress.
And thank you to everyone who made this recording possible.
Adiós California
Words and Music by Chucho Nila
Lucina Rodriguez, voice
Fabiola Trujillo, voice
David Hidalgo, accordion
Eugene Rodriguez, 12 string guitar
Emiliano Rodriguez, guitar
Cristian Rodriguez, tarolas, and tambora
Hugo Arroyo, electric bass
Adiós California no me voy me llevan
Pero llevo tu presencia
Si Dios lo permite, muy pronto regreso
Aquí dejo mis querencias
Volveré, volveré, volveré
Ay Diosito tu dame licencia
Estoy encerrado perdí con los leyes
Andaba de contrabando
Pero yo con gusto por esa morena
Me voy a seguir rifando
Volveré, volveré, volveré
Mis amores me están esperando
Si acaso el destino me manda la muerte
A que me corten los pasos
Yo sigo pensando que vuelvo muy pronto
No me importan los fracasos
Volveré, volveré, volveré
A estrecharla otra vez en mis brazos
Adiós California yo ya me despido
Me llevan para mi tierra.
Pero yo con gusto por esa morena
Vuelvo a cruzar la frontera.
Volveré, volveré, volveré
Solamente que Dios no lo quiera.
(TRANSLATION)
Goodbye California
Goodbye California I don’t choose to go, I’m being taken
But I carry your presence with me
If God permits, I’ll be back soon
I leave my loved ones here
I will return, I will return, I will return
Oh dear God let me return
I'm locked up for breaking the law
Because I was trafficking
But for my girl
I will continue to risk it
I will return, I will return, I will return
My loved ones are waiting for me
If my fate is death
To stop me in my tracks
I will continue to believe that I’ll be back very soon
Failure won’t stop me
I will return, I will return, I will return
To hold her tight in my arms again
Goodbye California I am now leaving
I’m being taken to my land
But for my girl
I will cross the border again
I will return, I will return, I will return
Unless God prevents it
Murmullos
Words and Music by Lucina Rodriguez
Lucina Rodriguez, voice
Fabiola Trujillo, voice
David Hidalgo, electric guitar and electric sitar
Eugene Rodriguez, electric guitar
Emiliano Rodriguez, acoustic guitar
Mireya Ramirez, congas
Cougar Estrada, drums
Carlos Caro, tambourine
Hugo Arroyo, electric bass
Yo no se lo que me pasa
Solo se que estoy feliz
Viviendo y riendo
Sin saber por que reír
Yo no entiendo
Que esta pasando aquí
Yo no entiendo
Murmullos oigo donde quiera
El amanacer del día
Hace resplandecer al sol
La semilla ya dio fruto
Dando vida al amor
Yo no entiendo
Que esta pasando aquí
Yo no entiendo
Murmullos oigo donde quiera
(TRANSLATION)
Murmurs
I don’t know what’s happening to me
All I know is that I’m happy
Living and laughing
Without knowing why
I don’t understand
What is happening here
I don’t understand
I hear whispers everywhere
The sunrise
Makes the sun shine
The seed have sprouted
Giving life to love
I don’t understand
What is happening here
I don’t understand
I hear whispers everywhere
Ay Pasajero
Words and Music by Eugene Rodriguez
Lucina Rodriguez, voice
Fabiola Trujillo, voice
David Hidalgo, requinto Jarocho and keyboard
Eugene Rodriguez, 12 string guitar
Emiliano Rodriguez, electric bass
Cougar Estrada, drums
Shira Kammen, violin
Hugo Arroyo, jarana
Pasajero, ay pasajero
Pasajero, aunque te vayas tan lejos de mi.
Pasajero, ay pasajero
Pasajero, no me arrepiento que te conocí.
El camino, ay el camino
El camino, tu fiel amante te lleva de aquí.
Los recuerdos, ay los recuerdos
Guardo recuerdos de aquellos momentos que estuve feliz.
Aunque te vayas
Mi pasajero.
Ni el paso del tiempo
Ni la distancia
Me hará lamenter.
Aunque no vuelvas
Mi pasajero.
Será recordado
Que me libraste
De mi soledad.
(TRANSLATION)
Oh Traveler
Traveler, oh traveler
Traveler, even if you go far away from me
Traveler, oh traveler
Traveler, I don’t regret meeting you
The road, oh the road
The road, your faithful lover, takes you from here
Memories, oh memories
I keep the memories of the moments when I was happy
Even if you go
My traveler
Neither the passage of time
Nor distance
Will make me regret
Even though you won’t return
My traveler
It will be remembered
That you delivered me
From my loneliness
A Tu Lado
Words and Music by Lucina Rodriguez
Lucina Rodriguez, voice
Fabiola Trujillo, voice
David Hidalgo, electric guitars and Hammond B3 organ
Eugene Rodriguez, 12 string guitar
Emiliano Rodriguez, acoustic guitar
Cougar Estrada, drums
Shira Kammen, violin
Hugo Arroyo, electric bass
Fueron las noches y días
Que me prometiste que nunca te irías
Pero tu te fuiste sin dar despedida
Y sin compasión
Yo como loca he quedado
Sin un argumento con labios cansados
Con los sentimientos todos encontrados
Sin tu corazón
A tu lado aprendí que no puedo yo vivir
sin tu amor, tu calor, tu manera de sentir 2x
Ahora que el tiempo a pasado
Recuerdo momentos que estuve a tu lado
Aquellos detalles los tengo clavados
En mi corazón
Pero me queda en la vida
Aquellas vivencias que tuve algun día
Que son experiencias que nunca se olvidan
Y alivia el dolor
A tu lado aprendí que no puedo yo vivir
sin tu amor, tu calor, tu manera de sentir 2x
(TRANSLATION)
At Your Side
Days and nights
You promised me that you would never go
But you left without saying goodbye
And without compassion
I’ve gone mad
Without an argument and with tired lips
With mixed feelings
Without your heart
At your side I learned that I can not live
Without your love, your warmth, the way you feel 2x
Now that time has passed
I remember times that I was by your side
I have those details nailed
Deep in my heart
But what remains of life
Those experiences
You never forget
And alleviates the pain.
At your side I learned that I can not live
without your love, your warmth, the way you feel 2x
Vuela
Words and Music by Eugene Rodriguez
Raul Malo, voice
Lucina Rodriguez, chorus
Fabiola Trujillo, chorus
David Hidalgo, electric guitars
Eugene Rodriguez, 12 string guitar
Emiliano Rodriguez, acoustic guitars
Cougar Estrada, drums and Garifuna drum
Hugo Arroyo, electric bass
Quisiera ser un pajarito
De gran velocidad
Para volar alto y lejos
Y escapar mi soledad
Volando voy hacia el olvido
Para nunca regresar
Jamas pensar en aquel nido
En donde vive mi penar
Vuela, vuela
Vuela, vuela
Vuela ,vuela va
En la corriente de mis sueños
Sobre la tierra y el mar
Solo la luz de las estrellas
Me ayudaran a navegar
Ni fantasmas del pasado
Ni pesadillas del ayer
Me harán perder la esperanza
Que encontrare el amanecer
(TRANSLATION)
Fly
I’d like to be a bird
Going very fast
Flying high and far
To escape my loneliness
I’ll fly into oblivion
And never return
Never think of that nest
Where my pain lives
Fly, fly…..
On the currents of my dreams
Above land and sea
Only star light
Helps me find my way
Neither ghosts from the past
Nor yesterday’s nightmares
Can make me lose hope
That I will find the dawn
Fly, fly….
Free To Be Me
Words and Music by Eugene Rodriguez
Eugene Rodriguez, voice
Fabiola Trujillo, vocal harmony
Lucina Rodriguez, vocal harmony
David Hidalgo, electric guitar
Emiliano Rodriguez, electric guitar and acoustic guitar
Mireya Ramirez, zapateado and tambourine
Cougar Estrada, drums
Carlos Caro, congas and güira
Hugo Arroyo, electric bass and vocal harmony
Armen Boyd, baritone saxophone
We come from California
We make it understood
So we're just a little puzzled when they tell us
You speak English real good
And when Emiliano
With such a noble name
Tells ‘em that he doesn't speak Espanish
They think it's really such a shame
When our shows are over
I'd love to stay out later
But when I walk by people hand me their basura
Because they think that I'm the waiter
And others recognize us
And say Hey Lets go and hang
But get so disappointed when they find out
That we were never in a gang
I just wanna be free to be me
Fabiola and Lucina
Are good in la cocina
They make ceviche, enchiladas, chilaquiles,
But take out comida china
And this here is Mireya
She grew up in San Pablo
She can dance hip hop and la quebradita
And she can do the zapateado
I just wanna be free to be me
Now here’s my simple message
And it’s no paradox
No matter if they’re strangers or familia
Don’t let them put you in a box
So listen chavalitos
Who are living in two mundos
Just roll it up and put it all together
There’s nothing mas profundo
Un Día Feliz
Words and Music by Eugene Rodriguez
Lucina Rodriguez, voice
Fabiola Trujillo, voice
Hugo Arroyo, electric bass, jarana, and chorus
Dave Hidalgo, electric guitar
Eugene Rodriguez, vihuela
Emiliano Rodriguez, accordion
Mireya Ramirez, zapateado
Cougar Estrada, drums
Muy de mañana yo vi tu llegada
Bonito tu modo, también tu mirada
Me dije que te quisiera conocer
Y quise muy pronto volverte a ver
Ay, ay, ay…..
Mas tarde te vi paseando en la placita
Me hechaste un ojo, di una sonrisita
Cuando te acercaste yo me sentí
Muy emocionada, viva y feliz
Ay, ay, ay…..
La noche ha llegado tan suave y tan bella
Salió la luna también las estrellas
Ha sido un día hermoso y encantado
Me siento dichosa que estés a mi lado
(TRANSLATION)
Early in the morning I saw you arrive
Your lovely manner as well as your gaze
I told myself I wanted to meet you
And I wanted to see you again very soon
Ay, ay, ay…
Later, I saw you walking in the square
You gave me a look and I gave you a little smile.
When you got close to me I felt
Very excited, alive and happy.
Ay, ay, ay…
The night has come so soft and so beautiful
The moon came out, so did the stars
It has been a beautiful and joyous day
I feel blessed that you are by my side
Ay, ay, ay….
No Politics
Words and Music by Eugene Rodriguez and Lucina Rodriguez
Eugene Rodriguez, voice and 12 string guitar
Elvin Bishop, electric guitars
Lucina Rodriguez, zapateado and chorus
Fabiola Trujillo, chorus
Emiliano Rodriguez, electric bass
Hugo Arroyo, acoustic guitar
David Hidalgo, drums and accordion
Cougar Estrada, percussion
Don't wanna hear about your politics
2X
I wanna listen to the leaves
Falling from trees
I wanna listen to our song
When everything is wrong
I wanna listen to you sigh
When I’m walking by
I wanna listen to my heart
Even when it breaks apart
Don't wanna know about your politics
I wanna know what’s in your dreams
About your hopes about your schemes
I wanna know what makes you spin
And if you'll let me in
I wanna know how it'll feel
If I find out you're for real
I wanna know if I can fly
Or only just get by
Don't wanna know about your politics
2X
I don't care about your politics
2X
I care about the birds
I care about the bees
I care about the things
That make you smile and make you scream
I care about the signs
That tell me everything is fine
I care about today
And go nothing left to say
I don't care about your politics
2X
Tirana
Words and Music by Eugene Rodriguez
Lucina Rodriguez, voice
Fabiola Trujillo, voice
David Hidalgo, electric guitars and Hammond B3 organ
Pete Sears, piano
Emiliano Rodriguez, electric guitar and electric bass
Mireya Ramirez, shaker
Cougar Estrada, drums
Carlos Caro, congas and maracas
Tirana, Tirana, Tirana, na,
4X
Tiranía del deseo
Tiranía de descuidar
Tiranía del olvido
Tiranía de recordar
Tiranía de las mentiras
Tiranía de la verdad
Tiranía del obligaciones
Tiranía de soledad
Me dices que tu me quieres
Y luego me pagas mal
Y lo que me prometiste
Se hundió en el arenal
Yo creo en la esperanza
También en la libertad
Pero cuando tu te fuiste
Me perdí en la oscuridad
Tirana, Tirana, Tirana, na
Tiranía del egoísmo
Tiranía de la bondad
Tiranía de lo conforme
Tiranía de novedad
Tiranía de la vergüenza
Tiranía del rencor
Tiranía de la muerte
4X
Tiranía del amor
Me dices que tu me quieres
Y luego me pagas mal
Y lo que me prometiste
Se hundió en el arenal
Yo creo en la esperanza
También en la libertad
Pero cuando tu te fuiste
Me perdí en la oscuridad
(TRANSLATION)
Tyranny
Tyranny of desire
Tyranny of neglect
Tyranny of forgetting
Tyranny of memory
Tyranny of lies
Tyranny of truth
Tyranny of obligation
Tyranny of loneliness
You tell me you love me
And then you treat me wrong
And all that you promised me
Sinks into the sand
I believe in hope
And in freedom too
But when you left
I was lost in darkness
Tyranny, Tyranny, Tyranny 4X
Tyranny of selfishness
Tyranny of generosity
Tyranny of conformity
Tyranny of novelty
Tyranny of shame
Tyranny of resentment
Tyranny of death
Tyranny of love
You tell me you love me
And then you treat me wrong
And all that you promised me
Sinks in the sand
I believe in hope
And in freedom too
But when you left
I was lost in darkness
The Silence
Words and Music by Eugene Rodriguez
David Hidalgo, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, Hammond B3 organ, and voice
Jackson Browne, voice
Emiliano Rodriguez, acoustic guitar
Hugo Arroyo, electric bass
Cougar Estrada, drums
Dance when the storm is over
Sing when torment's passed
Sigh when fists of tortured death
Release this arid land
Mourn the tens of thousands
Pray for the grieving shell
Bless the cursed noble womb
That bore a muted hell
How do we spin this tale
Tongues freed from fear at last
Answers to our children
When they ask us what has passed
When silence breaks from telling
And finally we can cry
What do we reveal then
When they ask us why
They ask us why
La Lloroncita
Traditional
Fabiola Trujillo, voice
Shira Kammen, violin
David Hidalgo, mandolin
Hugo Arroyo, jarana and vocal harmony
Eugene Rodriguez, classical guitar
Emiliano Rodriguez, electric bass
Peter Maund, frame drums
Cuando me parió mi madre
Me parió en un arenal
Cuando la partera vino
Yo ya era pez en el mar
Ay, de mí llorona
Dejame llorar
Ay, de mí llorona
Dejame llorar
Que solo llorando puede
Mi corazón descansar
Mi corazón descansar
Y por eso lloro tanto
Cuando entrabas a la iglesia
Te diviso al confesor;
De verte en toda tu Gloria
Y todo tu resplandor
Se le cayo la custodia
Porque temblaba de amor
Ay, llorar llorona
Pero dejame llorar
Ay, llorar llorona
Pero dejame llorar
La causa de mi llanto
es que nunca supe amar
(TRANSLATION)
The Crying Woman
When my mother gave birth to me
She gave birth in the sand
When the midwife arrived
I was already a fish in the sea
Oh, Lloroncita
Let me cry
Oh, Lloroncita
Let me cry
Only tears can
Let my heart rest
And that is why I cry.
When you entered the church
I saw the confessor
Seeing you in all your glory
And all your radiance
He broke down
Trembling of love
Oh, Lloroncita
But let me cry
Oh, Lloroncita
But let me cry
The cause of my tears
Is that I never learned to love.
Hijo Mío
Words and Music by Eugene Rodriguez
Raul Malo, voice
Fabiola Trujillo, vocal harmony
Hugo Arroyo, vocal harmony and acoustic guitar
Emiliano Rodriguez, electric bass
David Hidalgo, requinto
Cougar Estrada, drums
Carlos Caro, bongo
A donde vas?
Y quien serás?
Este mundo, tu sabras
No es tan fácil de andar
Lo hallaras
Hijo mío
Lo hallaras
De donde soy?
Y a donde voy?
Son preguntas que tendrás
Siempre conmigo contarás
Lo hallaras
Hijo mío
Lo hallaras
Hijo mío
Lo hallaras
En la vida encontraras
Momentos de soledad
El miedo te engañará
Te dará inseguridad
El tiempo es tan fugaz
Y no vuelve jamás
Nunca dejes de buscar
El amor y la amistad
Hijo mío
Lo hallaras
Hijo mío
Lo hallaras
Hijo mío
Lo hallaras
(TRANSLATION)
Where are you going?
And who will you be?
This world, you will know
Is not as easy to navigate
You’ll find out
Oh my son
You’ll find it
Where am I from?
And where am I going?
These are questions that will have
You will always count on me
You’ll find it
Oh, my son
You’ll find it
Oh, my son
You’ll find it
In life you will find,
Moments of solitude.
Fear will deceive you,
It will give you uncertainty.
Time is so brief,
And it never returns.
Never stop looking
For love and friendship.
Oh, my son
You’ll find it
Oh, my son
You’ll find it
La Pelota
Words and Music by Eugene Rodriguez
Eugene Rodriguez, voice and 12 string guitar
Hugo Arroyo, jarana and chorus
Lucina Rodriguez, chorus
Fabiola Trujillo, chorus
Emiliano Rodriguez, electric bass
Cristian Rodriguez, drums
Carlos Caro, congas and güira
Pobrecita la pelota
Ganas me dan de llorar
La razon de que te agotas
Es que no dejan de patear
Te dicen que te quieren
Antes de la jugada
Pero en vez de darte un beso
Te da otra patada
Ay, pelota
Me gusta la pelota
Ay, pelota
Pateando la pelota
Ay, pelota
Queremos la pelota
Ay, pelota
Pateando la pelota
Pateada por la izquierda
Pateada por la derecha
Despues de que te usan
A un lado te desechan
Pateada por arriba
Pateada por abajo
Y nadie escucha
Tus quejas. Ay carajo!
(TRANSLATION)
Poor ball
It makes me want to cry
The reason you’re so tired
Is that they don’t stop kicking you
They say they love you
Before the game
But instead of a kiss
They give you the boot
Oh, ball
I like the ball
Oh, ball
Kicking the ball
Oh, ball
We love the ball
Oh, ball
Kicking the ball
Kicked from the left
Kicked from the right
After they use you
They throw you to the side
Kicked from above
Kicked from below
And no one listens
To your complaints, oh damn!
Valor Latino
Words and Music by Eugene Rodriguez
Eugene Rodriguez, guitar and vocals
Lucina Rodriguez, vocals
Fabiola Trujillo, vocals
Hugo Arroyo, bass, jaranas, and vocals
Emiliano Rodriguez, accordion
Carlos Caro, percussion
Tenemos la fama de raza obrera
Por eso de orgullo gritamos afuera
Construimos viviendas, calles y puentes
Sembramos cosechas que alimenta a la gente
Cuidamos a niños, enfermos y ancianos
Hacemos labores usando las manos
Tenemos negocios, somos empresarios
Jugamos deportes en grandes estadios
Amplifica tu voz - Escucha tu voz
Conoce tu voz- Respeta tu voz
Somos cientificos, somos meseros
Somos pintores y somos vaqueros
Dentistas, doctores, poetas, soldados
Somos sacerdotes con rezos sagrados
Somos politicos y jardineros
Somos maestros y somos bomberos
Somos alumnos y amas de casa
Nos llaman latinos, hispanos y raza
Amplifica tu voz - Escucha tu voz
Conoce tu voz- Respeta tu voz
De nuestra cultura a nuestros valores
De nuestras canciones a nuestros sabores
De nuestros historia a nuestras creencias
De nuestro trabajo a nuestra paciencia
Con todo lo dicho con fuerza vayamos
Imvierte lo bueno para superarnos
Cultiva las flores de nuestra raiz
Somos el futuro de nuestro pais
(TRANSLATION)
We are known as a working people
That is why we shout out with pride
We build homes, streets and bridges
We plant crops that feed people
We take care of children, of the sick and the elderly
We work with our hands
We have business, we are entrepreneurs
We play sports in large stadiums
Amplify your voice - Listen to your voice
Know your voice - Respect your voice
We are scientists, we are waiters
We are painters and we are cowboys
Dentists, doctors, poets, soldiers
We are priests with holy prayers
We are politicians and gardeners
We are teachers and firefighters
We are students and housewives
They call us Latinos, Hispanics and Raza
Amplify your voice - Listen to your voice
Know your voice - Respect your voice
With all that’s been said, let’s walk forward with strength
Invest in the good to improve ourselves
Cultivate the flowers of our roots
We are the future of our country
Only Love Can Break A Heart
Words by Hal David
Music by Burt Bacharach
Fabiola Trujillo, voice and vocal harmonies
Hugo Arroyo, acoustic guitar and vocal harmonies
David Hidalgo, electric guitar and keyboard
Emiliano Rodriguez, electric bass
Cougar Estrada, drums
Carlos Caro, congas
Only love can break a heart
Only love can mend it again
Last night, I hurt you, but darling, remember this
Only love can break a heart
Only love can mend it again
You know I'm sorry, I'll prove it, with just one kiss
Only love can break a heart
Only love can mend it again.
Give me a chance to make up for the harm I have done
Try to forgive me and let's keep the two of us one
Please let me hold you, and love you, for always and always
Only love can break a heart, only love can mend it again
Only love can break a heart, only love can mend it again
BONUS TRACKS
Migration
Music by David Hidalgo, Emiliano Rodriguez, Cougar Estrada and Carlos Caro
David Hidalgo, electric guitar
Emiliano Rodriguez, electric bass
Cougar Estrada, drums
Carlos Caro, congas
Bugalú
Music by David Hidalgo, Emiliano Rodriguez, Tom Fugelstad, Cougar Estrada, Carlos
Caro, Mike Rinta and Armin Boyd
David Hidalgo, electric guitar and keyboard
Emiliano Rodriguez, electric bass
Eugene Rodriguez, 12 string guitar
Tom Fugelstad, trumpet
Armen Boyd, saxophone
Mike Rinta, trombone
Hector Espinoza, clarinet
Hugo Arroyo, tambourine
Carlos Caro, congas
Cougar Estrada, drums