Quintana was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico. His family moved to The Bronx sector of New York when he was only two weeks old; there he went to school and while he was still in high school he formed a band with his neighborhood friends.
In 1961, bandleader Eddie Palmieri heard Quintana sing for an audition and invited him to join his newly organized conjunto (small band) "La Perfecta". Quintana accepted and became the lead singer of the band between 1961 and 1971. During this time he co-wrote some of Palmieri's major hit songs. With Palmieri, Quintana was awarded the 1966 Trophy for the "Most Popular Latin Singer of the Year", awarded at the famed Palladium Ballroom in New York.
Quintana left Palmieri for a solo career and signed with Vaya Records (subsidiary of Fania Records) . Between 1974 and 1983, he recorded five albums as a solo artist, scoring his first major hit with "Mi Debilidad" (My Weakness).
Among Quintana's recordings are the following:
Solo
"Punto y Aparte" (1971);
"Dos Imágenes" (1972);
"Ismael Quintana" (1974);
"Lo Que Estoy Viviendo" ("What I'm Living Through") (1976);
"Amor, Vida y Sentimiento" ("Love, Life and Feelings") (1977);
"Jessica" (1979) (with Ricardo Marrero and The Group);
"Mucho Talento" (1980) (with Papo Lucca).
With Eddie Palmieri
"Eddie Palmieri y La Perfecta" (1961);
"El Molestoso" (1962);
"Lo Que Traigo Es Sabroso" (1963);
"Echando Pa’ Lante" ("Straight Ahead") (1964);
"Azúcar Pa' Ti" ("Sugar for You") 1965);
"Mozambique" (1966);
"Molasses" (1967);
"Champagne" (1968);
"Justicia" (1969);
"Superimposition" (1970);
"Vamonos Pa'l Monte" (1971);
"Recorded Live at Sing Sing, Vol. 1" (1972);
"Recorded Live at Sing Sing, Vol. 2" (1974);
"Sentido" (1973);
"Timeless". Live recording;
"Eddie Palmieri Live At The University of Puerto Rico" 1974).
With Cal Tjader and Eddie Palmieri[edit]
"El Sonido Nuevo" ("The New Soul Sound"): Cal Tjader & Eddie Palmieri;
"Bamboléate": Eddie Palmieri & Cal Tjader".
With The Fania All-Stars
"Live at Yankee Stadium, Vol. 2";
"Fania All Stars in Japan";
"Live in Africa";
"Salsa: Original Motion Picture Sound Track Recording";
"Tribute To Tito Rodríguez";
"Habana Jam";
"Commitment";
"Lo Que Pide La Gente";
"Live In Puerto Rico 1994";
"Bravo 97";
"Viva Colombia".
With Tito Puente
"Homenaje a Beny Moré", Vol. 1;
"Homenaje a Beny Moré", Vol. 2.
With Vladimir Vassilief
"Vladimir and His Orchestra: New Sound in Latin Jazz".
With Jimmy Delgado[edit]
"Salsa con Dulzura".
With Joe Cuba Sextet
"Songs Mama Never Taught Me".
Quintana also participated with the Fania All-Stars and went on tour with them to Africa, Japan, France, Central and South America and the United States. In 1976, he made an appearance in the movie "Salsa", with Celia Cruz and the Fania All-Stars. During the 1980s he recorded "Vamos, Háblame Ahora" (Come on, Talk to Me Now) with Papo Lucca.
Quintana semi-retired from the world of music because of health matters and lived with his family in New York. He moved with his family to Colorado where, on April 16, 2016, he died of heart failure. Quintana will be buried in Ponce, the city where he was born. He is survived by his wife Yolanda and three offspring: Ismael, David and Jessica Quintana.
Vamonos Pal Monte
Ismael Quintana Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
vamonos pal monte que el monte me gusta mas)
(vamonos pal monte pal monte pa huarachar
vamonos pal monte que el monte me gusta mas)
(vamonos pal monte pal monte pa huarachar
vamonos pal monte que el monte me gusta mas)
(vamonos pal monte pal monte pa huarachar
vamonos pal monte que el monte me gusta mas)
importa a mi, paro para todo todo lado sigo
contento y feliz
(vamonos pal monte pal monte pa huarachar
vamonos pal monte que el monte me gusta mas)
aqui en las grandes ciudades solo se respira el rio
alla en el monte mio hay espacio y vacilon
(vamonos pal monte pal monte pa huarachar
vamonos pal monte que el monte me gusta mas)
dicen que poquito a poco se acerca la depresion
si goza santiaguito lo tumba en l vacilo vacilon
(vamonos pal monte pal monte pa huarachar vamonos
pal monte que el monte me gusta mas)
(para el monte me voy porque en monte no estoy)
(para el monte me voy porque en monte no estoy)
(para el monte me voy porque en monte no estoy)
(para el monte me voy porque en monte no estoy)
The lyrics to Ismael Quintana's song "Vamonos Pal Monte" are an invitation to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and head to the countryside. The repeated phrase "vamonos pal monte" means "let's go to the mount" and the singer clearly indicates that he prefers the tranquility of the countryside to the noise and pollution of the city. He even mentions that he is still happy and content despite the mischievousness of someone he encountered.
The singer goes on to describe how the air and environment are different in the countryside. While in the city, there's only pollution, in the mountains (monte) of his hometown, there is space and fun. He also warns that if depression is approaching slowly, one should head to the countryside and dance the "vacilon vacilon" to overcome it. The song ends with a repetition of the phrase "para el monte me voy porque en monte no estoy" which means "I'm headed to the countryside because I'm not in the countryside."
Overall, the lyrics of "Vamonos Pal Monte" have a clear message of escapism and a preference for a slower, more peaceful life outside of the city.
Line by Line Meaning
Vamonos pal monte pal monte pa huarachar
Let's go to the mountain to dance and have fun.
Vamonos pal monte que el monte me gusta mas
I prefer to go to the mountain because I like it more.
Este tipo esta travieso y aunque eso no me importa a mi, paro para todo todo lado sigo contento y feliz
This guy is mischievous, but it doesn't bother me. I stop everywhere and continue happy and content.
Aqui en las grandes ciudades solo se respira el rio alla en el monte mio hay espacio y vacilon
In the big cities, all you can breathe is pollution. In my mountain, there is space and fun.
Dicen que poquito a poco se acerca la depresion si goza santiaguito lo tumba en l vacilo vacilon
They say depression is approaching little by little, but if Santiago enjoys himself, he will defeat it with fun.
Para el monte me voy porque en monte no estoy
I go to the mountain to get away from the city.
Writer(s): Ismael Quintana, Eddie Palmieri
Contributed by Madelyn C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.