Witness Seminar and Open Forum Series (No 3)

Chile and Scotland: 30 Years On - Subject Music

Carlos Arredondo Ortiz is a Chilean singer-songwriter.
Although his development as a musician took place in Scotland, mainly in isolation, he sees himself as part of the wide 'new song' movement of the Americas and the great tradition of Violeta Parra and Victor Jara. More information is available from Carlos Arredondo Fabula.

Latin American music taking firm root in Scottish soil is undoubtably adding a new dimension to our native tradition. The Chilean coup which killed Victor Jara led to the dispersal through the world of many fine poets and musicians. A distinguished figure amongst these exiles is Carlos Arredondo, who settled in Scotland and soon began to make a mark on the Scottish folk scene.
(Hamish Henderson)

Libre (Edinburgh, 1985) - Free
Text by 'Santiago', a Chacabuco prisoner.
This poem was written between 1973 and 1975 for a festival of song and poetry in Chacabuco, Chile, formerly a mining town which was transformed by the dictatorship into a camp for political prisoners.

Victor, Tu Musica No Murio Contigo (Edinburgh, 1985) - Victor, Your Music Did Not Die With You
A tribute to the great Chilean singer-songwriter Victor Jara. The text weaves together the titles of some of his most famous songs.

Both songs are from Carlos' album Debo Cantar Bonito - I Must Sing Well (illustrated above) and have been made available by kind permission of the artist.
© Carlos Arrendondo Ortiz

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