Mercedes Sosa - Al Despertar (1998)

The driving force behind the nueva canción movement, singer Mercedes Sosa was born and raised in Tucumán, Argentina, beginning her performing career at age 15 after taking top honors in a radio station amateur competition. A rich, expressive vocalist and a gifted interpreter, Sosa was dubbed "the voice of the silent majority" for her choice of overtly political material, and alongside artists including Violeta Parra and Atahualpa Yupanqui, she spearheaded the rise of the so-called "nueva canción" movement, which heralded the emergence of protest music across Argentina and Chile during the '60s. The movement was crippled in 1973 by the CIA-sponsored coup which ousted democratically elected Chilean President Salvador Allende; with her repertoire of songs championing human rights and democracy, Sosa was viewed as a serious threat by the military regime which assumed power, and in 1975 she was arrested during a live performance which also resulted in the incarceration of many audience members. Death threats forced her to leave Argentina in 1979, and she remained in exile for three years, finally returning with a triumphant comeback performance in February 1982

"Al Despertar" is a 1998 album by Mercedes Sosa. The album won the 1999 Premios Gardel in the folklore category. 

After experimenting and succeeding with other music styles, with this album La Negra goes back to her roots: Argentine folk music. I'm always amazed by her ability to choose songs. In her songbook there are no meaningless tunes. She chooses each one to express herself, and in WHAT classy way!!


Tracklist: 

Vientos Del Alma
Pueblero De Alla Ite
Como Urpilita Perdida
Desandando
Déjame Que Me Vaya
La Villerita
Agitando Pañuelos
Viejo Corazón
Del Tiempo De Mi Niñez
Bajo El Sauce Solo
Sueñero
Zamba Por Vos
Al Despertar 
Luna De Cabotaje
Almas En El Viento
Indulto
La Belleza

Mercedes Sosa - Al Despertar (1998)

(320 kbps, cover art included)