Guajira Guantanamera (original) - Cuarteto Caney 1938.wmv

Composed by Cuban Joséito Fernández, who used to sing it on his radio show with verses accustomed to the latest news. He recorded the song in 1940 as A Mi Madre (Guajira Guantanamera) on Victor 83240 B.

An earlier recording was made on April 12, 1938 by Cuarteto Caney in New York - vocals by Alfredito Valdés and Machito (Columbia 5741 X B). The scan shown is from an earlier 1936 recording 'Clarivel'. Caney Quartet was founded in the early thirties by Cuban musician Fernando Storch (Fernando Caney). With a repertoire based on the pure style of Cuban son musicians, the band signed with Columbia Records in 1936 and recorded over 100 songs over the next six years.

The song as we know it today (since the late fifties) has Fernandez's melody and chorus with lyrics by Jose Martì in the verses taken from the poem Versos Sencillos ("yo soy un hombre sincero", etc).

Thanks to Joop Jansen for audio support and Chester Proudfoot at 'Page Mr.Volstead' blog.

Видео Guajira Guantanamera (original) - Cuarteto Caney 1938.wmv канала waltervdbus