“La Candela de Lola” is the new single from acclaimed flamenco singer Argentina. The song will appear in her upcoming album dedicated to Cuban son, salsa, and flamenco.
With this recreation, Argentina celebrates the work of Sergio Siaba, a Spanish-Cuban composer who lived and grew up in Havana (Cuba). “La Candela de Lola” is a medley of ‘El cuarto de Tula’ and ‘Ave María Lola’, two of the best-known songs by Siaba. Argentina recorded the single with the group Son de Cuba & Compañía, produced by guitarist José Quevedo “Bolita”.
Sergio Eulogio Gonzalez Siaba was born in La Coruña, Spain, on July 31, 1915. When he was 6 years old, his parents moved to Cuba. Initially, he learned how to play the guitar. Later, Siaba started writing songs at the age of 17, first as a trovador and later as a member of the “Trío de Moya”. He later formed the group “Los trovadores del Caney”. At the end of his life, he worked as a trovador in Parque Lenin, in the west of Havana, where he performed every night.
Many of Siaba’s songs are now Cuban and Spanish classics, such as “Ave María Lola” (guaracha, very popular in Spain); “Pedacito de mi vida” (bolero son, sung by Celina González); “Guajiro guarachero” (guaracha); “Solito solito” (son); “Hoy lo niegas” (bolero); “La contentoza” (guaracha); and “Perdóname vida” (bolero). His songs have been performed by well-known artists such as Celina González, Omara Portuondo, Eliades Ochoa and others.
The Cuban Spanish musician died in Havana in 1989.
Argentina wants to highlight Sergio Siaba’s work. She says about the song: “Siaba’s family living in Spain contacted me to congratulate me and encourage me to record some of his songs because they had seen my version of “El Cuarto de Tula” on social media, which I did in a rehearsal with Son de Cuba & Compañía. I felt the curiosity and need to know in depth his history and his work. As a result of that, and realizing that the figure of Siaba was not recognized as he deserves throughout the world because his work is wonderful, I decided to pay him this tribute with this medley of two of his iconic songs. For me, it has been a great pleasure to feel his musical intentions and his lyrics. We enjoyed producing and recording the single a lot.”
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.