OPEN POST: Manor Music Monday With The One And Only Charo!

Greetings, music sluts and slutinos, and welcome to another edition of Manor Music Monday, today with an extra Ay and a Yi, with an added Yi. Toss in a cuchi-cuchi and you're all set. You know her well if you're a human being, and even if you're an alien merely peeking in on humanity here and there, you know her. She's as ageless as Cher, as delightful as Dolly, and, yes, like them, needs only one name in order to be identified.

If you're still confused, are you eight-years-old? Are you blind and deaf - put together? These are the only possible reasons I can think of that you might not know of this world-famous legendary legend (the kidults call her "iconic" in their best vocal fry). But on the off chance that you're deeply, mortifyingly confused, or actually do know of her and rightly want to celebrate her continued fabulousness, please join us tonight at "Sausage Stick!", the Manor's exclusive nightery and gourmet hot doggery where DJ Li'L Scratch will be playing her most memorable tunes.

There is only one Charo. Singer, actress, guitar-playing phenom. And a delightful Instagram presence, too. Because if you're going to shake what you've got, you must do it Charo's way. Sure, many regard her as Spanish-born kitsch, and rest assured, she'll happily deliver in this regard, most memorably on her various "Carol Burnett Show" appearances in the 1970s. And it doesn't get more blissfully kitsch than her 1981 LP, "Bailando Con Charo," which has her mixing Latin beats with disco, baby, disco. In other words, I can't get enough of it. "Guantanamera" is one of the more delightful tracks:

You can listen to the rest of "Bailando Con Charo," which I highly recommend, right here:

 

But never forget, Charo is also a serious classical and flamenco guitarist - routinely heralded as one of the world's best - having begun her studies at nine-years-old under the tutelage of yet another legend, virtuoso Spanish guitar player, Andres Segovia Torres, also known as the First Marquis of Salobrena, thankyouverymuch. As much as I adore Charo's kitsch, I cherish more her entrancing guitar performances, like those in her 1994 LP, "Guitar Passion, Caliente." My favorite track is "La Segadora Y El Carretero:"

But honestly they're all superb. Charo isn't celebrated enough for her guitar playing, and she really ought to be. You can listen to the rest of "Guitar Passion, Caliente" right here, and trust me, it's blissfully transporting.

"The guitar is my friend," Charo once said, "and it introduced me to the people that love music in a different way than those who love my general image on television. When I play in person, the guitar is the greatest song that I have to show to the people how much I’m there for them - and how much I respect them. Because the guitar is a very difficult instrument. With the guitar I am available to express my feelings and my emotion."

She is, and always will be, a music legend. If you ever get the chance to see her live, run. She just wrapped up the first leg of her "Ole, Ole!" tour, and more dates are likely to be added in the coming months, so keep watch on her socials. 

What are you listening to this week? DJ Li'l Scratch wants to know.
Till next time...purr, bitches, purr! 🐾

Photo Credits: Getty Images; Universal Wave; Charo Entertainment