For our friends in Madrid, Spain, be sure to go see Gaby Moreno tonight (March 27, 2015) along with Virginia Labuat on what is called their BluesWoman Tour.
Gaby Moreno in her element - Photo by friend and bassist Leslie Lowe
Some of the greatest new filmed music experiences these days are originating in the studios of public radio and college radio stations. That is the case with this nice take below of long time MusicLoad favorite artist, Gaby Moreno. This was filmed in the studio of KUTX-FM at the University of Texas at Austin, a NPR affiliate.
A multi-lingual artist originally from Guatemala, Gaby fluently speaks Spanish, English and The Blues. This song featured below is her own Spanish language original. It was track #6 from her third album, entirely in Spanish, which was named Postales. It helped lead her to becoming the 2013 Latin Grammy winner in the Best New Artist category, a well deserved award.
Her repertoire is not limited to Spanish and she definitely has what it takes to win English language Grammys in numerous categories in the future, based on her genuine authenticity underneath and on top of her uncontrived music of substance. Quite a rarity.
*Gaby had this photo below posted to her Facebook page of Former UN Secretary General Kofi Attan holding a Kalashnikov assault rifle transformed into a Guitar. Gaby's words posted with the photo were: "My religion, you ask? MUSIC and LOVE"
All of Gaby Moreno's songs are beautiful and special. But this became one of my most favorite songs by Gaby Moreno after I heard her explain to the non Spanish speaking people in her audience one night at Cafe Largo, what the song meant to her. The Spanish title, Ave que Emigra, means Bird That Migrates in English
Gaby is from Guatemala and migrated to America to continue to pursue her craft as a singer, songwriter and recording artist. The song sung in Spanish, and text in English just below, is especially beautiful when considering the story of her own life and that of others who have the dream. Enjoy!
I come from very far away
looking for the blue of the sky
following predicaments I come from very far away
Memories from my childhood that sometimes
leave the soul My Guatemala never forgot.
carried always with me
Tired from running
in times of hunting lifted high
in my flight like a bird that migrates
I come from very far away
looking for the blue of the sky
following predicaments I come from very far away
And how one is clinging to
a piece of land sooner or
later comes the air Burns without truce
Tired from running in
times of hunting lifted high
in my flight like a bird that migrates
Please click the play button below. If you are on a computer (vs.
mobile or TV), choose the high-resolution options for optimal sound
quality. When this song ends, it will automatically be followed by
several hours of excellent curated songs and music videos. Press
forward to skip or click the reverse button to replay. or return to
previous songs. Or, exit full screen mode to pick a new video.
Just got back from an incredible Gaby Moreno record release party at Largo at The Coronet Theatre in Los Angeles where a capacity crowd was wowed by Gaby and her full band that included 5 violins, a cello, a string bass, electric bass with longtime bandmate Leslie Lowe, a trombonist woman who gave the music loads of character, a tenor sax man, two different pianists that included the fantastic Van Dyke Parks, a mandolin player at times, a backing/lead guitarist who shaped so much of the sound on many of the nights performances, a drummer (a very tasty one who happens to be Gaby's significant other, Sebastian Aymanns, a session/touring player also doing Europe with Lisa Marie Presley promoting her most recent record), and two perfect backing vocalists. Tasty is the word that best describes the musicianship and meticulous arrangements throughout the night. There was not one note or nuance that was out of place the entire evening. Even the buzz from the guitar cord and amplifier seemed to have it's own place like pops from a great vinyl record.
Van Dyke Parks, the truly amazing composer, arranger, musician, author and actor, well known for his collaborations and lyrical contributions to the Beach Boys album Smile, but who is so much deeper than even that, gushed over Gaby on several occasions and talked candidly about his desire to work with Gaby for several years. His performance with Gaby was beautiful and inspiring.
The wonderfully organic songs from her most recent all Spanish language album titled POSTALES were all mesmerizing. Gaby shared the stories behind each song as she went, practically bringing me to tears on more than one occasion through the night, such as the story behind a poem from that Gaby's grandfather wrote to her grandmother which was turned into a song by Gaby. Gaby told a story of how her grandfather was 58 and her grandmother was 18 when they married. A 40 year difference! Gaby also performed many of her past songs in both English and Spanish, as well as several standards and classics.
Gaby signed autographs for a very long line of fans for close to two full hours. Perhaps not anticipating the strong demand, all of the boxes of her CD's and posters that were brought to the show sold out early. Whoever said CD's are dead never went to a Gaby Moreno show. Several in the crowd were a bit disappointed when they were unable to buy a CD to have it personally signed. But Gaby took the time to hug each and every fan and took what seemed like a few thousand photos. This girl knows what it means to be a true star, which she most certainly is.
Gaby Moreno - Ave que Emigra (from album titled Postales)
While I loved every single song Gaby performed, the one that was the most poignant or important in my mind was The Immigrant, a cover by Calypso artist David Rudder. Especially during this political season, where the political candidates would surely pander to artists like Gaby to use her recording of Rudders song in their campaigns to prove they are immigrant friendly. Gaby knows and exuded the actual meaning of the song and it's importance and place in the American fabric. I'd hope Gaby would flip politicians the bird if they tried to attach their political campaigns to it, but she's far too gracious for that, even if she knew they were pandering. It just so happens that Barack Obama personally follows Gaby Moreno on Twitter. But Gaby's music is embraced by people across every spectrum, political and otherwise. The passion Gaby emitted when she laid The Immigrant down with her full band was inspiring and heartfelt. Bravissimo to Gaby for delivering this song the way she did. She is a great story teller and has proved she can deliver social commentary in a deeply meaningful way.
Gaby Moreno - The Immigrant (Unplugged recording from a performance on Treble Clef Live)
Gaby also performed one of her songs, Sing Me Life, a passionate anthem that could mean something different to everyone. Makes me think of not backing down from people and the cheap patriotism and jingoism that perpetuates war and government misdeeds. Long ago, when this song was released, it made me sit back, think and stay focused without being influenced by the status quo. This song can be a personal anthem for those seeking reinforcement in staying true and original.
There is one more thing to mention. After one hears this next song, which Gaby performed all by her lonesome which drove into the encore, one may be whistling it in the mind over and over. It was one of the most delightful moments of the evening that always takes me to a place that feels like a scene out of Woody Allen's film Midnight in Paris. The film which came out in 2011 had me thinking of Gaby almost the entire time I watched it debut. Too bad Woody Allen didn't know of Gaby yet, for he most certainly would have put her in the cast.
Longtime MusicLoad favorite artist, Gaby Moreno, is in the midst of releasing a new all Spanish album titled POSTALES. To celebrate, she is playing Cafe Largo in Los Angeles on Tuesday September 4, 2012. Van Dyke Parks is Gaby's special musical guest.
click this link to buy your tickets: http://largo.laughstub.com/show.cfm?id=180526
The doors at Largo open at 7:30. Show to begin at 8:30.
via one of MusicLoad's most favorite artists, Gaby Moreno, who posted this wonderful live performance of Lianne La Havas on her Facebook page last week. Hearing this performance of Lianne La Havas is like finding buried treasure or that needle in a haystack you've been looking for. Enjoy!
Lianne La Havas - Is Your Love Big Enough?
Lianne La Havas - Tease Me (Live at the Servants Jazz Quarters)
A longtime MusicLoad favorite artist, Gaby Moreno, will be performing on NBC's Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Thursday May 3, 2012. Gaby will be performing alongside Carl Carlton, Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Lang, Shawn Mullins, Leland Sklar (one of my favorite bassists), Eric Burdon and others to perform the song "Toast To Freedom" to commemorate 50 years of Amnesty International.
I seriously, have so much respect for Gaby. She is one of those artists who has stuck her guns and been herself, all the way. When people tried to make her something that she was not, she kind of resists without being mean.... keeps a smile on her face while knowing who she is. She just goes her own way, every day. And to watch where she has gone.... it really makes me smile. She is the example of what it means to be a true indie in such a major way.
If you don't catch her on Jay Leno, she is worth chasing down on YouTube. Her songs are authentically her as she lives and plays in the moment and everything she does is magic. Her music has touched and even revived parts of my soul. Wishing that you'll be lucky enough that she and her music will touch yours too.
Happy to report that Gaby Moreno (featured on MusicLoad.Com dozens of times since 2006) just signed a record contract with the independent label of Guatemalan recording artist Ricardo Arjona. The label is known as Metamorfosis. Ricardo Arjona is one of Latin America's top selling acts and he broke from the major labels to pave his own international path.
Gaby became one of my most favorite indie artists out there, since the moment I noticed her in 2006. Have come to admire her greatly since then. She has the right attitude in how she has worked to get her music out there, play lots of shows... she has a consistent vibe, very relaxed, kind and sweet. She has integrity. Always making something, working on new songs, playing with new people, traveling to far away places to perform and tour.
Have always thought she was destined for superstardom on this path she is on, but superstardom isn't her trip. She lives in the moment like few others. She is a lover of blues/jazz/rock music and maintains a tranquility style life with a solid work to live rather than a live to work ethic. Such observations are not always what they appear to be, but that's the feeling I get from Gaby Moreno. Her Peace of Mind radiates. That's the most important thing one can have, in my humble opinion. That's why I think Gaby Moreno is destined for so much more success than she has already achieved in creating a self-sustaining working band and music career as a recording artist, songwriter other artists, with several film & TV on the music side, collaborator with many and touring artist. No doubt, Moreno will be Metamorfosis most valuable asset in due time. Keep your eyes and ears on Gaby Moreno via Gaby-Moreno.Com
Here is a recent collaboration of Gaby with Metamorfosis founder Ricardo Arjona.
Gaby Moreno with Ricardo Arjona performing Fuiste tú
Here is one of the most prolific international indie artists on the scene. The videos below are from her most recent European tour when she performed in Paris on February 17, 2012.
Gaby Moreno performs No Regrets and then performs Daydream (Live at Théatre 13 Jardin - Paris)
Gaby Moreno - Mess a Good Thing (Live at Théatre 13 Jardin - Paris)
***Gaby Moreno update: Since this post was originally posted in February of 2012, Gaby has transcended beyond "indie" status when she was signed to Metamorfosis Records in March of 2012. In November, 2013, Gaby won the Latin Grammy in the category for Best New Artist, something MusicLoad had proclaimed several times prior to that as far back as 2006 :)
A very cool series of recorded music films known as the Luxury Wafer Sessions filmed my fave, Gaby Moreno, a couple of years ago and I never saw this until today. Enjoy!
A MusicLoad.Com favorite artist, Gaby Moreno, has landed the open slot on the Tracy Chapman Summer Tour for the remainder of August 2009. For more information on the dates in the U.S. and Germany.
Congratulations to Gaby Moreno. NBC just announced that an instrumental track she wrote two weeks ago will be featured as the main theme music to their new show entitled Parks & Recreation, debuting April 9th on NBC at 8:30 PM.
Something of note about Gaby that MusicLoad has noticed is that Gaby likes to play at every opportunity, and as a result, has performed in places that other artists might feel too bitchen to play. It's not doubt to us that her incremental successes that she has been achieving are due to her incredible work ethic and her wonderfully kind and genuinely humble attitude. She is a true gem of a human being.
As many artists ask MusicLoad for advice on how to get ahead and where the opportunities are, we look to artists like Gaby Moreno for inspiration. She's not trying too hard and there has never been anything desperate about her. She exudes a willingness to listen, rather than to talk. Her vibe, along with that of her team, is that they are doing what they are meant to be doing and that they are not missing any steps along the way. They are walking the walk, the long way, and enjoying every step. . And, of course, Gaby's music comes first and has that thing people know as "it". All of the other good qualities might be meaningless without that.
Two different and free MP3 Downloads of Gaby are featured at MusicLoad.Com
Gaby Moreno will appear live at the Hotel Cafe in Hollywood, California on July 27 at 8 P.M.
The address is 1623 1/2 N. Cahuenga, Hollywood, California 90028
The first 30 people through the door will get Gaby's latest CD, Still The Unknown, free of charge and will also receive a free imported Guatemalan bracelet!
Gaby Moreno is one of MusicLoad's most favorite unknown artists. Her most recent album entitled "Still The Unknown" is very organic, minimalist from a production standpoint and raw.
She is one of those artists who opens up a show softly and people keep talking and chatting like nobody is on stage. After a few moments, however, crowds become dead silent as they hang onto ever nuance of Gaby as she digs deep in her bag of soul.
