Ritmundo

March 8th marks International Women’s Day. On this same date, the amazing close harmony group Las Lloranas will perform in the Netherlands. This calls for a special episode featuring vocal female ensembles from the past and present: from the Andrew Sisters to Zap Mama. 

Although the name might suggest otherwise – meaning ‘weeping willows’ or ‘crying women’ in Spanish – Las Lloranas represents a playful trio that excels in close harmony.

Their profound songs full of feminist poetry combine various elements such as Latin folk, spoken word, Ladino, and blues influence. Experiencing Las Lloronas’ music is like entering ‘A moment of powerful vulnerability, bordering on lament, daydream, and rallying cry’.

After their debut album Soaked (2020), the Belgian trio surprises us with the album Out of the Blue, where their melancholic triple harmonies once again flourish. Despite the title of their album, Las Lloranas did not emerge ‘out of the blue’. In fact, they subtly continue a longstanding tradition. They evoke the spirits of The Andrews Sisters (1938), The Staple Singers (1957), The McGarrigle Sisters (1975) and Ygdrassil (2001), as well as the close harmony of Las Cuatro Huasos (1931), The Pointer Sisters (1973) and Zap Mama (1991).

International Women’s Day and the arrival of Las Lloronas thus provided the occasion for a musical journey spanning almost a century of exceptional close harmony in sisterly unity.

Las Lloronas will give two concerts in the Netherlands: 8 March 2024- Amstelkerk (Amsterdam), 9 March 2024- Amare (The Hague). Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLrIa4wtSR4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Xf2jnj88Zs

Playlist:

1. Las Lloronas- Run (BE)
   

CD: Out of the blue (Muziekpublique, 2023)

2. Zap Mama- Abadou (BE)

CD: Zap Mama (Cram World, 1991)

3. Kongero- Kling Klang (SWE)
   CD: Live in Longeuil (Nordic-Notes, 2019)

4. Varttina- Seelinnikoi (FINL)
   CD: Seleniko (Music & Words, 1992)

5. Ygdrassil- Home is a Building (NL)

CD: Nice days under darkest skies (Real Harm, 2001)

6. Silly Sisters- Agincourt Carol (UK)

CD: No more to the dance (Shanachie, 1988)

7. The Roches- We (USA)
   

CD: The Roches (Warner, 1979)

8.Kate & Anna McGarrigle- Complainte Pour Ste Catherine (CAN)
       
CD: Kate & Anna McGarrigle (Warner, 1975)

9. Andrew Sisters- Tu-li Tulip Time (USA) – 1938

CD: The golden age of the Andrews Sisters (Jasmine Records, 2002)

10. Staple Singers- Low is the Way (USA) – 1957

CD: Gospel Greats: The Staple Singers- Uncloudy day (Charly, 1995)

11. Pointer Sisters- Yes We Can Can (USA) – 1973

CD: Top 40 Pointer Sisters (Sony Music, 2019)

12. Tre- Take Your Time (USA)
    

CD: Take your time (Mo Thugs Records, 1997)

13. Las Cautro Huasos- La Papa Araucana (CHI) – 1931
    
    

CD: Hot women, women singers from the torrid regions of the world (Kein & Aber Records, 2003)

14. Rosanna & Zelia- Oco da Paixao (BRA)
    

CD: Coisario (Peregrina Music, 1999)

15. Dobra Caracol- Etrange (CAN)
    CD: Soley (Indica Records, 2004)

16. Las Lloronas- Pequeña (BE)
    CD: Out of the blue (Muziekpublique, 2023)