I do not know a word of Spanish, but this 1974 recording always moves me. The songs are so beautiful that one doesn't really need to understand the words to enjoy the music. Some are easy to sing along to, like the foot-tapping title track, Guantanamera, Cucuru Paloma and De Colores, while others are rather sad and a little more structurally complex, like Llego Con Tres Heridas and El Preso Numero Nueve. Subtitled 'Joan Baez Sings in Spanish', the album does contain one Catalan number and is a proper folk recording with songs from Spain and various Latin American countries. Most of the tracks have addictive Latin rhythms and catchy hooks; the instruments include acoustic, bass & classical guitars, cello, harp, harmonica, percussion, strings, flute & woodwinds while a Mariachi band provides backing on two songs.
It opens with the inspiring title track (Here's to Life), a lilting song written by
Violeta Parra that lists lots of things to be grateful for. Llego Con Tres Heridas (I Come with Three Wounds) which follows is melancholy as Joan sings Miguel Hernández's lament on life, love and death. The mournful mood continues on the tuneful traditional song La Llorona (The Weeping Woman) after which the Mariachi band takes over on the rhythmic El Preso Número Nueve (Prisoner Number Nine). Guantanamera is especially buoyant with appealing guitar textures and on the wordless Dida,
Joni Mitchell duets with Joan. The melodious
Victor Jara song Te Recuerdo Amanda (I Remember you Amanda) has a more complex structure than the traditional material.
Cucurrucucú Paloma receives a festive treatment by the brilliant Mariachi Uclatlan and their swirling instrumental and vocal patterns, in sharp contrast to Joan's a cappella rendition of Paso Rio which introduces the slow
Catalan folk song El Rossinyol (The Nightingale), another sombre excursion. The vibrant sing-along De Colores with its rousing melody precedes a tender and sad ballad Las Madres Cansadas (Weary Mothers). The protest song No Nos Moveran (We Shall Not Be Moved) is introduced by a spoken monologue by Rondalla Amerindia and the album concludes with an uptempo ballad titled Ezquinazo del Guerrillero. Gracias A La Vida is a most enjoyable listening experience with plenty of modal and stylistic variety.