Debo Cantar Bonito
I must Sing Well

Many people encouraged and helped me to make my first musical album which was the first of its kind in Scotland and by a South American singer/songwriter. The very talented musician and composer Jim Sutherland helped me to produce "Debo Cantar Bonito" for free at Pier House recording Studio where I received from Peter, the sound engineer, his magic assistance. The result of our team effort was more than a simple "very good!". The Scottish musician Jack Evans helped me with some haunting flute melodies in some of my songs. The late Tony Cuffe, the wonderful Scottish folk musician, and a friend of mine, kindly lent me his guitar to record a couple of my songs.

Some interesting people kindly supported my music:
Hamish Henderson, Norman Buchan, LIz and John McGrath from the 7:84 Theatre Co, The Whistlebinkies, Jim Sutherland, Peggy Seeger

Libre
FREE (Edinb. 1985)
Text by 'Santiago', a prisoner in Chacabuco, Chile.
This poem was written between 1973 and 1975 for a festival of songs and poetry in Chacabuco, Chile, formerly a mining town which was transformed by the dictatorship into a camp for political prisoners.

Somos un oceano
WE ARE AN OCEAN (Edinb. 1988)
In 1992, there will be many celebrations to mark the 500th anniversary of the arrival of C. Columbus to the new world. The European invaders destroyed the ancient civilizations of the Incas, Aztecs and Mayans. Is this something to celebrate?

Mercurio, 23 de Nov 1975
(Edinb. 1984)
The pro-regime newspaper El Mercurio reported a 'heroic battle' by security forces against 'insurgents' who were killed. A former prisoner later revealed that it was a set up, as they had been arrested the previous day. Several of those killed were personal friends of Carlos.

Viva la 15a Brigada, Viva Nicaragua
LONG LIVE THE FIFTEENTH BRIGADE, LONG LIVE NICARAGUA. (Edinb. 1988)
Written for a celebration in Glasgow of the 50th anniversary of the International Brigades in the Spanish Civil War, this song relates the anti-facist struggle of the 1930's to Nicaragua's struggle for survival today.

Quien Puede Reprimirme el Canto
WHO CAN SUPPRESS MY SONG? (Edinb. 1988)
The title of this song affirms the need to speak out, to denounce those evil forces which, while often superficially respectable, are in reality poinsoning the world.

A camilo Jorge
TO CAMILO JORGE (Edinb. 1987)
Text by John Gillies, 1984.
A setting of a poem written by a friend to celebrate the birth of Carlos' son. It combines images of the home of Camilo's father - Santiago, Chile - and of his mother - Carrara, Italy.
For the first time | I hold in my hand | The small, dark, | Italo-Chilean hands | of this beloved | New-born Child | My Scottish | Brother.

Victor, tu Musica no Murio Contigo
VICTOR, YOUR MUSIC DID NOT DIE WITH YOU (Edinb. 1986)
A tribute to the great Chilean singer-songwriter, Victor Jara. The text weaves together the titles of some of his most famous songs.

La Contribucion
THE CONTRIBUTION (Edinb. 1986)
This song celebrates the changing role of the church in Latin America under the influence of the 'Theology of Liberation', exemplified by such figures as Dom Helder Camara in Brazil, Archbishop Romero in El Salvador, and Fr. Ernesto Cardenal in Nicaragua.

Debo Cantar Bonito
I MUST SING WELL (Edinb. 1988)
This song expresses the artist's responsibility to use his gifts to the full. His music must be more than simply 'entertainment' when it can be a weapon in the service of those who suffer.