Sunday, June 09, 2002

Ricardo writes:

Canciones Por La Causa
Baldemar Velasquez & the Aguila Negra Band


Baldemar Velasquez and the Aguila Negra Band have produced an outstanding CD, "Canciones Por La Causa," with wonderful renditions of "Juan Charrasquiado," "Paloma Negra," "CanciĆ³n Mixteca," mixed with some great immigrant working class folks songs, such as "Deportees," as well as some pieces like "Better than Nada, "Juan Sin Tierra," and several others. The vocal and arrangements are superb, and Velasquez adds some interesting surprises with original Spanish lyrics by Luis Valdez arranged by Velasquez to a song like Woody Guthrie's "Deportees." The CD delivers great sound quality especially with the accordion, guitar and vocal combinations, and captures the sense and emotions of each song with powerful and poetic delivery.

Velasquez had to choose between being a lawyer, singer- musician or organizer. He chose to be an organizer - and an excellent one, one of the best. For over thirty-five years Velasquez has taken up the cause of farm workers.

The CD provides a beautiful small booklet that contains the lyrics to the songs along with a series of photos illustrating important historical moments in the history of FLOC.

Copies of the CD are available at the FLOC offices for $20.00. All Proceeds from the release benefit the farmworker boycott of the Mt. Olive Pickle Company. Contact FLOC at (419) 243-3456. To learn more about FLOC log-on to: www.floc.com
Or contact the FLOC National Office,1221 Broadway, Toledo, OH 43609, tel 419-243-3456, fax 419-243-5655, info@floc.com