Isaac Guillory (February 27, 1947 - December 31, 2000) was a Cuban-born gui… Read Full Bio ↴Isaac Guillory (February 27, 1947 - December 31, 2000) was a Cuban-born guitarist. He later lived in the United States and the United Kingdom. His daughter is British actress and model Sienna Guillory.

Born on the US Navy Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Guillory played piano and guitar as a child and electric guitar as a high school student in Florida. He also studied music at Roosevelt University in Chicago 1965-69. While there, he recorded two albums with the Cryan' Shames as bass player. Leaving University he acquired a Martin D-35 and travelled Europe as an acoustic solo performer. Guillory came to earn the reputation of one of the best guitarists ever. Many guitarists today emulate the techniques Guillory evolved in the early 70's while living in Spain. He performed frequently as a guest artists for recordings and films with, among others, Al Stewart, Donovan, Mick Jagger, Buggles, Barbara Dickson and Nick Heyward. Guillory released "Isaac Guillory", a self-titled album in 1974. For a while Guillory went on to play jazz fusion and record with Pacific Eardrum, but from circa 1986 concentrated on his solo performances (which put him up-close with more intimate small audiences) and sharing his understanding of music; touring, creating his own online guitar school, and lecturing at the Guildhall School Of Music in London. He published five more CD's on his own independent label, Personal Records. As a performer he was dedicated to sharing his gift with both audience and fellow musicians, and as a teacher he never hesitated to share in a manner that others could understand.

Isaac Guillory passed away in 2000. His legacy is the music that only he could cause to come forth from a guitar with such apparent grace, pleasure and ease.

TABOO
Isaac Guillory Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Alma
del África lejana
llena mi pecho de calma.

Alma del África lejana
llena mi pecho de candela.

aquí, el negro mirando a la blanca

aquí, el negro es hijo de una esclava.
Y taboo bonyou bata la panchanga iema yahu
taboo
taboo... bata la panchanga iema yahu.
aquí, el negro mirando a la blanca
aquí, el negro es hijo de una esclava.

y taboo... bonyou bata la pachanga iema yahu
taboo Bonyou bata la panchanga iema yahu

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Taboo" by Isaac Guillory express a longing for an African soul, a sense of calm and fire that fills the singer's chest. The song highlights the struggle of the black community and their struggle to find their place in a society that discriminates against them. The lyrics focus on the African roots and the pride that comes with this heritage, while also acknowledging the ongoing racism in society towards black people.

The song also sheds light on the roles of black people in society, how they are often seen as inferior to the white population. The song mentions the son of a slave, emphasizing the historical oppression and injustice towards black people. The repetition of "taboo" in the song can be seen as a call-to-action, urging society to acknowledge and work towards eradicating these taboos and injustices.

Overall, "Taboo" is a poignant song that highlights the struggles and accomplishments of the black community, while also calling for societal change towards a more equitable future.

Line by Line Meaning

Alma del África lejana
My soul is filled with calm from the distant land of Africa.

llena mi pecho de calma.
My chest is full of peace.

Alma del África lejana
My soul is filled with fire from the distant land of Africa.

llena mi pecho de candela.
My chest is full of flame.

aquí, el negro mirando a la blanca
Here, the black man looks at the white woman.

aquí, el negro es hijo de una esclava.
Here, the black man is the son of a slave.

Y taboo bonyou bata la panchanga iema yahu
And taboo, let's celebrate and have fun.

taboo
Taboo.

taboo... bata la panchanga iema yahu.
Taboo, let's celebrate and have fun.

aquí, el negro mirando a la blanca
Here, the black man looks at the white woman.

aquí, el negro es hijo de una esclava.
Here, the black man is the son of a slave.