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
Copas de soledad
Bobby Valentin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Por tu cerebro pasa
La idea de llorar
O volverme a llamar
Apartala de ti
Tal vez en otra mesa
Te brindarán olvido
Lo amargo que es tomar
Copas de soledad
Leyendo en tu conciencia
Verás que no se borran
Ni el llanto ni el licor
Que yo fui la existencia
Que le sirvió de sombra
Al crimen de tu amor
Y si te dan los tragos
Con volver a mi puerta
Habrá desilusión
Te aconsejo pensar
Que mi amor no existió
Leyendo en tu conciencia
Verás que no se borran
Ni el llanto ni el licor
Que yo fui la existencia
Que le sirvió de sombra
Al crimen de tu amor
Y si te dan los tragos
Con volver a mi puerta
Habrá desilusión
Te aconsejo pensar
Que mi amor no existió
Que mi amor no existió
Que mi amor no existió
The song Copas de soledad by Bobby Valentin is a powerful and insightful piece about the complexities of love and heartbreak. The lyrics speak to the experience of being left behind by someone we loved deeply, and how this often leads to a cycle of pain and despair. The song is a warning to anyone who may be tempted to try and drown their sorrows in alcohol, suggesting that this will only bring temporary relief and ultimately make things worse.
The opening lines of the song speak directly to the listener, addressing them in the second person and urging them to be careful not to give in to their sadness. The sense of urgency is palpable, as if the singer knows that the person he is addressing is on the verge of doing something foolish. He warns them not to call him if they are feeling lonely or sad, knowing that this will only lead to more heartache.
The middle section of the song is particularly powerful, as the singer speaks directly to his former lover's conscience, telling her that the pain and tears she is feeling will never go away. He reminds her that he was there for her when she needed him, and that his love was as real as the tears and alcohol she is drowning herself in now. The final verses of the song reiterate the warning against returning to him, telling her to think about the fact that their love was not real and that trying to recapture it will only lead to disappointment.
Line by Line Meaning
Si alguna noche en tragos
If on a drunken night
Por tu cerebro pasa
A thought passes through your mind
La idea de llorar
The idea to cry
O volverme a llamar
Or to call me again
Apartala de ti
Push it away from yourself
Tal vez en otra mesa
Perhaps at another table
Te brindarán olvido
They will offer you forgetfulness
Y así comprenderás
And so you will understand
Lo amargo que es tomar
How bitter it is to drink
Copas de soledad
Cups of loneliness
Leyendo en tu conciencia
Reading in your consciousness
Verás que no se borran
You'll see that they don't disappear
Ni el llanto ni el licor
Neither the tears nor the liquor
Que yo fui la existencia
That I was the existence
Que le sirvió de sombra
That served as the shadow
Al crimen de tu amor
To the crime of your love
Y si te dan los tragos
And if they give you drinks
Con volver a mi puerta
By returning to my doorstep
Habrá desilusión
There will be disappointment
Te aconsejo pensar
I advise you to think
Que mi amor no existió
That my love did not exist
Que mi amor no existió
That my love did not exist
Contributed by Owen K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Gina
on Hay Craneo
Me gusta la melodía Hay craneo quiero la letra