On a recent visit back home in Texas I attended a Social Media Club gathering, at which I picked up a few Twitter followers and new friends, and also networked the old school way — traded business cards.
But the best old school moment of the night there at a place called Embargo … I heard one of my favorite all time songs on the sound system. The song is in several movies and soundtracks, but I NEVER NEVER hear it outside of my CD collection.
So, realizing what a rare moment indeed it was to hear Los Fabulosos Cadillac’s “Matador” in a Fort Worth cafe, I rushed to the bar to ask the tender “who does the music?”. Taken aback, she said they would change it if I would like.
No way, Jose! I told her how the music video to the song — whether you are bilingual or not — is one of the best ever.
As of today, that is my second favorite story regarding “Matador.”
Today, I heard the song in Boston. But first, I started the day with a 10:15 a.m. showing of “The King’s Speech.” (Great flick … just in time for The Oscars, ay?) And my day just kept getting better. After the movie, I strolled through Boston Common after two or three inches of fresh snow redecorated the park. After a few photos, I was back on my hike to Boston’s Prudential Center shopping mall fabuloso. On a snowy day, I was positive it would provide great Wi-Fi and world-class people watching. Right on both counts.
The Shops At Prudential Center
Anyway, a fun thing happened on the way to the retail mecca of Boston proper. At the much photographed Trinity Church, I saw a decent size gathering with protest signs and I could hear music.
Cool. Fiesta, I thought.
And always the sucker for a protest rally, i stepped closer to see just who was mad and why. Today’s cause was the treatment of farm laborers. Okay. I was once a farm laborer, so I gave ear and also fired up the Nikon D7000. I mean … how can you go wrong with close up people shots, especially when the faces are so filled with passion?
It got better …
After 20-30 shots, some little rag-tag brass band kicked up a tune … this after me getting in an argument with a … shall we say “very soft spoken” member of the crowd. He seemed to have brushed against my privates — perhaps accidentally, I don’t know — a little too much for my taste. So as I kept shooting photos with one hand, I pushed him off with the other.
“Excuse me … excuse me … no pushing?,” he whined nasally, punctuating his sentence with that insecure inquisitive tone that is so trendy in today’s liberal dialogue.
Ha … I didn’t mince words. I told him “I only pushed you away because you were butting up against my testicles.” Ha … he turned red as others listened in, laughing a bit.
End of conversation …
Then the fun part … the drummers all started playing this drum line rhythm so familiar to my turista ears … Soon the trombones, trumpets, an accordion and some saxophones had joined in to do a nice, funky little street version of “Matador.”
I held up my iPhone and recorded the music and made mental notes of the moment … It started a little flaky but evolved into on of my favorite, spontaneous travel moments ever …
WHAT? You don’t know Matador? Well do something about that … here is a link to the video. Very artsy photography and a song even a Gringo can love.
Know what I saying?
