NO LLORES MÁS by MORENA Y CLARA

Spanish Rock in the Seventies Part 5: Flamenco Pop

The previous entry in this series looked at the more serious side of flamenco rock. However there was also a more chart friendly flamenco pop movement at the same time, which often featured gypsy singers giving it loads over rhumba rhythms. Acts previously featured on this blog include Manzanita, Los Chungitos and Los Chichos. Morena y Clara got their first break singing backing vocals for the latter.

This was their big hit and it made the Spanish top ten in 1974. They are often compared to Las Grecas, a similar sisterly duo, but I think they actually outdo their rivals on this cut. In 1976 they entered the selection contest to represent Spain at Eurovision, but they weren’t chosen. After this indignity they faded from view.

This track features on the compilation ‘Acid Rumba: Spanish Gypsy Grooves 1969-1976’. However, I actually first heard it on an eccentric podcast about Spanish music by Simon Maxwell-Stewart. Anyone who compares Morena & Clara to both Abba and Amon Düül II has to be worth listening to…

NO LLORES MÁS Quiero que te olvides del pasado y vivamos el presente No quiero que menciones a ninguno de tu gente. Acuérdate amor mío cuando eras chiquitito, Yo te cogía la mano y te decía ven conmigo. Ay-ay-ay-ay-ay... ESTRIBILLO: No, no, no, no, no llores más, No, no, no, no, porque te quiero. No, no, no, no, que un torbellino de pasión Se abre en el cielo. Bésame en los labios como tú sabes hacerlo, Ama dulcemente y acaríciame mi pelo, Yo te prometo darte la felicidad completa, Y a través de mi muerte Escribiré tu nombre en letras, Y te diré... ESTRIBILLO

DON'T CRY ANYMORE I want you to forget about the past And we will live in the present I don't want you to mention it To any of your crowd Remember, my love, when you were little I took you by the hand and said 'come with me' Ay-ay-ay-ay-ay... CHORUS: No, no, no, no, don't cry anymore No, no, no, no, because I love you No, no, no, no, a whirlwind of passion Has opened up the sky Kiss me on the lips the way that you know how Love me sweetly and stroke my hair I promise to give you complete happiness And until I die I will write you name in letters And I will tell you... CHORUS

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LA HISTORIA DE JUAN CASTILLO By LOS CHICHOS

Los Chichos were a group of Spanish gypsies who specialised in rhumba pop. They are often compared to Los Chunguitos. This is one of their earliest singles, from 1974, complete with an infuriatingly catchy ‘na na na’ chorus.

NB Some of the gypsy slang in this song has defeated me (especially the third verse), so let me know if you have any better ideas.

LA HISTORIA DE JUAN CASTILLO . Era una noche de pena y de llanto Puesto que todo condujo al fracaso Iban dos primos y dos hermanos Iban a chorar y los delataron . Esta es la historia de Juan Castillo Con el chivato que fue a pucabar De un bochorno le quitaron la vida Y así los cuatro pudieron najar . Pero a uno de ellos le chitaron basti Me han hostilao ? vosotros najar ya Pero con lagrimas en los ojos Solo me veo y sin caridad . Tu fuiste el que lo mataste Si, y ya no puedo negarme Lo maté en aquel momento Al no poder controlarme . Ahora me encuentro metido entre rejas Y con mis niños solos en la calle Virgen bendita de la macarena Apiádate de ellos que no son culpables . En un momento de locura Perdí la noción del tiempo Madrecita de mi vida Yo con 30 años encima Aquí quedara mi cuerpo

THE STORY OF JUAN CASTILLO . It was a night of grief and mourning Everything led to the disaster Two cousins and two brothers They were going to burgle and they reported them to the police . This is the story of Juan Castillo With the grass who went to ? They shamefully took his life And this way all four could leave . But one of them threw them around ?? They had already beaten me up ?? But with tears in his eyes I only think of myself and without charity . You were the one that killed him Yes, and now you can’t deny it I killed him at that moment Because I couldn’t control myself . I now I find myself behind bars And with my children alone in the street Blessed Virgin Mary Take pity on those who are not guilty . In a moment of madness I lost track of time My darling mother I am over 30 years old My body will remain here