Dakota Beacon

I want to wish all of my readers a very happy Thanksgiving. It’s a time to pause, enjoy the blessings of family and friends, to give thanks for all that you have and also for those things you have not - remembering that others may not be as fortunate. I thought long about what to offer this Sunday in anticipation (I might add something special on Thanksgiving, not sure yet) but in the spirit of thankfulness, I want to give you some more very fine singing. I am thankful for, among other things, discovering the incredible voice of the late José José, “El Príncipe de la Canción”. I know – I linked some of his music at the time of his death. Today I am sending you his message of thanks. It seems appropriate. It’s called “Déle Gracias a la Vida”. I will also send a few others of my favorite songs by this artist, but first, here are the lyrics (letra) and translation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QI5lw7f2eXc

DĖLE GRACIAS A LA VIDA GIVE THANKS TO LIFE

Se que tiene Ud. razón I know you’re right

Y que son puras verdades And that it is true

Que las cosas no andan bien That things aren’t going well

Con tantas necesidades With so many needs

Que en la lucha por vivir In the struggle of life

Uno pierde la confianza One loses confidence

Que con el amor no alcanza That love isn’t enough

Para sentarse a comer To put food on the table

Y no pierda la fé And don’t lose faith

Ni abandone la esperanza Nor abandon hope.

Déle gracias a la vida, compadre, Give thanks to life, my friend

Déle gracias al Señor Give thanks to the Lord

Déle gracias a la vida comadre Give thanks to life, my friend

Que podría ser peor. Things could be worse.

Déle gracias a la vida por todo Give thanks to life for everything

Que la vida es amor Because life is love

Que ella no tiene la culpa And life’s not to blame

De todo lo que pasó For all that’s happened

Déle gracias a la vida Give thanks to life

Es un regalo de Dios It’s a gift from God

(Roberto Livi/Rafael Ferro)

If you’d like to hear more:

El Mundo (Il Mondo) (this is the 17-year-old José José !– 1965): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7B1YTZdtK0

The song seems appropriate to the day, but not totally characteristic of José José’s incredible voice. His star took off into the cosmos with “El Triste”(“The Sad One”):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E20G25SCAEg (his amazing vocal control, color, dynamics, his elegant ornamentation, phrasing and his genuine interpretation is only a taste of things to come throughout his career)  This performance was Mexico's entry in the second annual "Festival de la Cancion Latina".  It placed 3rd.  No one could believe it.  It didn't really matter - it was the winning song in the mind of the public and launched Jose Jose's career.

El Amor Acaba (Love is Over): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zehTpgLxXBs

40 y 20 (“he” is 40, his “intended”, 20): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPLcmUv5be0

Almohada (Pillow) (he dreams of his love but awakes and it’s only his pillow): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y11-X7lc8MM

Finally, a song that was tragically prophetic - “Seré” (It will come to pass) –“One day I will no longer be able to sing” (from a concert in 1985 in Acapulco, an encore): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUhhUPXWChs (a dream fulfilled, the singer is finally tired) (José José lost

Although José José’s career was one of enormous success juxtaposed with profound betrayal and heartache, the applause of millions and at the same time enslavement to drugs and alcohol he finally, after all was said and done, made a kind of peace with himself, became sober, went on to help others overcome their addictions, and remained ever grateful for his gifts and the opportunity to reach others with an open heart. A flawed, human person, his celebrity never changed his simple, sincere character. Life most of us, a mixed bag, but in his case part of that was a once-in-a-hundred-years musical gift. Thanks for José José and his amazing gift.

Comments: (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)