Early years
Valentín, born Roberto Valentín in Orocovis, Puerto Rico, was taught by his father to play the guitar at a young age. When his mother died in 1947,he went to live with his older sister and was raised in the town of Coamo; there he received his primary education and studied music. When he 11 years old, he participated in a local talent contest with a trio which he had formed. He played the guitar and sang for the trio and they won the first place prize. One of his teachers suggested that he attend the Jose I. Quinton Academy of Music, which he did - here he learned to play the trumpet. [1]
In 1956, Valentín moved with his family to New York City where he attended George Washington High School and continued to take music lessons. In 1958, he went to play for Joe Quijano but, shortly after he joined Willie Rosario, who also came from his same neighborhood and played in his band. [2]
[edit] Musical career
In 1963, Valentín joined Tito Rodriguez (after not being hired by Tito in a recording session because of his age, he was given a chance and was added to his regular band) and traveled twice with Tito's orchestra to Venezuela. He also made musical arrangements for Tito and at times for Charlie Palmieri, Joe Quijano, Willie Rosario, and Ray Barretto. In 1965, he formed his own band and was signed by the Fania Record Label. He recorded "El Mensajero" (The Mensenger) and "Young Man With a Horn". He held his first concert in Puerto Rico during that period of time.[2]
[edit] Recordings
While in Puerto Rico, in 1969, his bass player did not show up. Valentín found someone to play the trumpet and he played the bass. Since then, he has played the bass for his band. He has also played the bass on occasion, for the bands of Willie Rosario, Raphy Leavitt and Vicentico Valdés (he produced one of Valdés' albums, even writing its string arrangements as a personal goal). Valentín was also the musical arranger for the Fania All Stars, and is featured in a live recording of the conglomerate's song "Descarga Fania" (which he also wrote) playing a bass guitar solo.[1]
In 1975, Valentín left Fania and founded his own record label "Bronco Records" and released the recordings of "Va a la Carcel" Vol 1 and Vol 2, recorded "live" at "El Oso Blanco", Puerto Rico's oldest state penitentiary. At the time, Marvin Santiago was the singer on Valentín's band; his biggest hit with Valentín was "Soy Boricua", an ode to Puerto Rican nationality that has since become a patriotic song for the island nation. In 1978, salsa singer Cano Estremera made his singing debut with Valentín's orchestra and recorded various major hits for the band, particularly the Roberto Angleró song "La boda de ella" and "Manuel García".[3]
During the years Valentín has also helped others such as:
· Larry Harlow,
· Ismael Miranda,
· Roberto Roena,
· Cheo Feliciano and
· Celia Cruz.
He also provided backdrop for the Billyván Santiago (Marvin's youngest brother) song "Mata la cucaracha", a sleeper hit in Puerto Rico during the 2002 Christmas season.
[edit] Currently
Bobby Valentin continues to record and play with his band, his latest release being "La Gran Reunion" (The Grand Reunion). In 2004, Bobby Valentin's "En Vivo Desde Bellas Artes" was released in DVD form. In 2006 Bobby Valentin's "El Caiman" can be heard (or played) the video game Scarface. His last disc called "Evolución" was launched in 2008.
[edit] See also
Puerto Rico portal
· List of famous Puerto Ricans
[edit] References
1. ^ a b Musica de Puerto Rico
2. ^ a b Q&A with Booby Valentin
3. ^ Fania
[edit] External links
· Biography, Discography, Photos, Lyrics (SalsaClasica.com)
· Musica de Puerto Rico
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobby_Valent%C3%ADn"
Categories: 1941 births | Living people | Puerto Rican musicians | Salsa musicians | People from Orocovis, Puerto Rico | Fania Records artists
Canta Mi Gallo
Bobby Valentin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
La jicotea no tiene cintura la cucaracha no puede caminar
Si te pica un mosquito brinca un poquito
Y cuidao con el perro que esta majadero
Canta mi gallo Kikiriki la culpa de todo la tiene el coquí
Dice mi gallo Kikirikiki la culpa de todo la tiene el coquí. 2x
Dice mi gallo Kikiriki la culpa de todo la tiene el coquí.
Cantando en la charca que cosa más rara, mi gallo se siente feliz
Si tu matas la gallina guárdame una alita a mi
Pero no cojas el producto guárdaselo a Valentín.
Aída se quedó en nada el pollo que te ofrecí.
Dice mi gallo Kikiriki
Mi gallo es marueco pero tiene swing
Coquí, coquí, coquí, coquí, no tiene fin.
Déjalo bailar déjalo cantar que el lo goza así.
Búscame un gallito de los que vende Tinín
El gallo canta tan feo como a Orvill le suena el cornetín.
La culpa de todo la culpa de todo.
La culpa de todo, la culpa de todo,
como no encuentra un mono me la echan a mi.
Como decía Shakespear to be or not to be.
Cutucupla toca conga es un gallo carabalí
Ya mami esta en la cocina aquí ha llegado tu fin.
The lyrics of Bobby Valentin's song "Canta Mi Gallo" are a mix of humorous and witty expressions that depict the characteristics and limitations of various animals. The first stanza refers to common phrases used to describe animals and warns one to be cautious about a problematic dog. The second stanza is a repeat of the chorus, which emphasizes the importance of singing and enjoying life, even if it means being a bit unconventional or different. The third stanza talks about the desire for a chicken wing and asks for it to be saved for Valentín while jokingly belittling the worth of the chicken that was offered earlier. The fourth stanza further talks about the uniqueness of the gallo, its "swing," and the incessant sound of the coquí. The lyrics also briefly mention the popularity of the conga and the end of a mother's reign in the kitchen.
Line by Line Meaning
Al caballo le dicen soso si es quiere traquear un poco
Some say horse is dull and can't prance properly
La jicotea no tiene cintura la cucaracha no puede caminar
The turtle has no waist and the cockroach can't walk
Si te pica un mosquito brinca un poquito
If a mosquito bites you, just jump around
Y cuidao con el perro que esta majadero
Be careful of the dog that's acting tough
Canta mi gallo Kikiriki la culpa de todo la tiene el coquí
My rooster sings Kikiriki, blames everything on the coqui frog
Dice mi gallo Kikirikiki la culpa de todo la tiene el coquí. 2x
My rooster says Kikiki; everything is the coqui frog's fault
Cantando en la charca que cosa más rara, mi gallo se siente feliz
Singing in the pond, my rooster feels happy in a strange way
Si tu matas la gallina guárdame una alita a mi
If you kill the hen, please save a little wing for me
Pero no cojas el producto guárdaselo a Valentín.
But don't take the product, save it for Valentín
Aída se quedó en nada el pollo que te ofrecí.
Aída had nothing from the chicken I offered you
Mi gallo es marueco pero tiene swing
My rooster's from North Africa, but it's got rhythm
Coquí, coquí, coquí, coquí, no tiene fin.
Coqui, coqui, coqui, coqui; it never ends
Déjalo bailar déjalo cantar que el lo goza así.
Let it dance, let it sing; it enjoys it that way
Búscame un gallito de los que vende Tinín
Find me a rooster sold by Tinín
El gallo canta tan feo como a Orvill le suena el cornetín.
The rooster's song sounds as bad as Orville's trumpet
La culpa de todo la culpa de todo.
It's all its fault, it's all its fault
como no encuentra un mono me la echan a mi.
Since they can't find a monkey, they blame me
Como decía Shakespear to be or not to be.
As Shakespeare said, to be or not to be
Cutucupla toca conga es un gallo carabalí
Cutucupla plays conga, it's a Carabali rooster
Ya mami esta en la cocina aquí ha llegado tu fin.
Mama's in the kitchen; time to say goodbye
Contributed by Reagan O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Gina
on Hay Craneo
Me gusta la melodía Hay craneo quiero la letra