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
Pobre Soy
Bobby Valentin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
que quieren tener al pobre encadenado en un rincón
Viviendo amarguras pena y dolores
sufriendo necesidades que la vida le entregó.
Si pobre aquí soy, rico seré
cuando llegue al otro mundo
en que existe la ley de Dios.
Coro:
Con lo poquito que tengo conforme yo me mantengo.
Dolores, dolores, dolores, dolores, dolores,
Conforme con lo que tengo, conforme con lo que tengo.
"Ave María yo soy pobre
pero que mucha salsa tiene este negro, ay!" (Cheo)
~
Con lo que tengo, con lo que tengo
con lo que tengo soy pobre
con orgullo estoy conforme.
Si pobre aquí soy, si pobre aquí soy
rico allá seré cuando llegue
a conocer en su mundo, ay de Dios, ay su ley.
"oye se me olvidó que yo era pobre
pero todavía me siento bien, ay!" (Cheo)
The lyrics of Bobby Valentin's "Pobre Soy" tackle the idea of societal inequality and the plight of the poor. The first two lines suggest that there are people who want the poor to remain in their suffering state, "encadenado en un rincón" (chained in a corner), enduring "amarguras," sorrow and pain, and going through the hardships and struggles that life has dealt them. However, the song is not one of despair, as the chorus suggests that the singer is content with what they have and indeed takes pride in it, stating "Pobre soy con orgullo, conforme con lo que tengo." This line implies that being poor can be a badge of honor, with the singer finding happiness and embracing their life and circumstances.
The lines "si pobre aquí soy, rico seré cuando llegue al otro mundo, en que existe la ley de Dios" illustrate the belief that when one transitions to the afterlife, they will receive the rewards or punishments they deserve, based on their actions in life. It is a hopeful message, emphasizing that taking pride in one's present circumstances can translate into eternal rewards in the future. Despite the difficulties faced in life, the singer is not turning a blind eye to their present situation, but rather acknowledging it with an attitude of acceptance and pride. The song closes with a humorous comment from Cheo Feliciano, highlighting the upbeat nature of the song, which is far from being a lament.
Line by Line Meaning
En esta vida hay quienes quieren que quieren tener al pobre encadenado en un rincón
There are those in this life who want to keep the poor chained in a corner
Viviendo amarguras pena y dolores sufriendo necesidades que la vida le entregó
Living in bitterness, pain and suffering from the needs that life has bestowed upon them
Si pobre aquí soy, rico seré cuando llegue al otro mundo en que existe la ley de Dios
If I am poor here, I will be rich when I arrive in the other world where God's law exists
Coro: Pobre soy con orgullo conforme con lo que tengo. Con lo poquito que tengo conforme yo me mantengo. Dolores, dolores, dolores, dolores, dolores, Conforme con lo que tengo, conforme con lo que tengo.
Chorus: I am poor with pride, content with what I have. With the little I have, I remain content. Pains, pains, pains, pains, pains, Content with what I have, content with what I have.
"Ave María yo soy pobre pero que mucha salsa tiene este negro, ay!" (Cheo)
"Hail Mary, I am poor but this black man has a lot of salsa, oh!" (Cheo)
Con lo que tengo, con lo que tengo con lo que tengo soy pobre con orgullo estoy conforme.
With what I have, with what I have, with what I have I am poor, I am content with pride.
Si pobre aquí soy, si pobre aquí soy rico allá seré cuando llegue a conocer en su mundo, ay de Dios, ay su ley.
If I am poor here, if I am poor here, I will be rich there when I come to know in his world, oh God, oh his law.
"oye se me olvidó que yo era pobre pero todavía me siento bien, ay!" (Cheo)
"Hey, I forgot that I was poor but I still feel good, oh!" (Cheo)
Contributed by Owen K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Gina
on Hay Craneo
Me gusta la melodía Hay craneo quiero la letra