Carmen's Red

RONNIE AND THE CORVAIRS, a local Canadian band from the west end of Toronto were finding it difficult to be successful in the rock and roll business. Too young, too green, and too misdirected, Ron decided to leave Toronto for a while. Feeling much despair, he headed for New York City to try and stimulate his musical interests. Enter Carmen Valdez. When Ron met her at the bus station upon his arrival, she changed everything ! From her early beginnings as a 'folkie' in New York's 'Greenwich Village' to her global successes, Ron and Carmen embarked on a whirlwind of euphoria. Not only did Carmen become the greatest international songstress where everyone on the planet knew her name, her penchant for a specific New Orleans red wine catapulted her into the world's prominent wine magnate, which came as a complete surprise to Carmen. Her hobbyist production of a questionable wine harvest in her native Puerto Rico was so well received that the demand reached epic proportion. All these exploits surpassed the wildest dreams of these two lovers taking them on an unprecedented journey through the global paths of wine, music and song.

Ronnie Russell has written several short stories and many songs throughout his career in the music business. In the early Seventies, it occurred to him that there was a great need to document what had been taking place in the 'bar' business in Toronto, Canada. Ron surmised that the night club entertainer was a specific occupation like none other. Unless there was significant and continual sales of recorded product that would propel the entertainer to 'star' status and some financial freedom, the job itself could ultimately lead to a life of emotional distress. The author witnessed his share of this. It seemed that if one was fortunate enough to acquire continual work in the field, it was extremely consuming. Not only did the hours worked leave only Sundays to rest, one had to script song lists, rehearse with musicians and memorize lyrics and chord changes to a constant barrage of new tunes. Being lucky enough to work alongside a fellow musician who shared the same views about life and kept all things in perspective, the author knew that this story had to be told. This is it.

Wade and I were in awe of the beaches, mountains and music of Brazil. As we descended from Sugarloaf Mountain during one of the last days of our sojourn, we happened upon a little bar that boasted 'REAL BRAZILIAN FEIJORDA AND CAIPIRINHA WITH YOUR CHOICE OF LIQUER'. We laughed about the spelling mistake but were impressed that at least they tried to get English speaking people to indulge in this 'real' Brazilian fare. There was another sign that read 'AIR CONDITIONO' and since it had to have been about 100 degrees Fahrenheit, we decided this would be an ideal spot to spend the rest of the day. The black beans were laid out on some kind of arugula and a fascinating wine sauce that was to die for. We started eating and couldn't stop. It was difficult to believe that food that looked so simple would taste so good. We decided to have rum mixed with our lime caipirinha drink and we were set for the next few hours. Wade spoke more and more to me about the influence of Brazilian music in our own music culture.

"Walter Wonderly had no idea that his simple tunes would become world famous !" Wade said and went on. "Sergio Mendes along with his various ensembles took the world by storm a couple of years back and he's still going strong. Jazz saxophonist Stan Getz has carved himself a nice little spot on the planet on the proceeds from the sales of his stuff with Astrid, I mean, Ron....we gotta..." Like a songbird being whistled in for mating, Wade stopped his conversation and lent his ear to the little speaker that was nor far from our table. I was anticipating the conversation but Wade just kept looking at the speaker, said nothing and I saw him swallow. It seemed like his eyes were welling up a little.

"Wade, buddy, is anything...."

"Sh, Ron....just listen." After a long pause, Wade said, "Ron ! I've heard that song before....uh, back home....I think it was in The Zanzibar !"

Wade wasn't making sense but I tried to listen to the tune. It was a typical Brazilian samba but it did seem to have a different guitar rhythm technique. Almost instantaneously, my heart sank to my shoes ! I know that I must have looked as strange as he for I somehow discovered a guitar rhythm that I hadn't heard in a few years. I became as puzzled as Wade. He glanced at me probably realizing that I had a startled look on my face. He said nothing. I supposed that he had thought that I was just into the song as he was and probably on his insistence for me to listen. But it was more than that. I waited for the female voice to begin again after this piano-guitar solo. I had paid no attention to it as we were conversing. It was only now upon Wade's insistence that I waited to hear the voice on the tune. Before the lyric started, I already knew what to expect.

'YOU DON'T HAVE TO FALL IN LOVE IF YOU DON'T WANT TO, BUT NOTHING'S GOING TO STOP YOU IF YOU DO !'

I recognized the voice and the tune but not the lyric. It didn't matter. It was Carmen. Wade was still staring at the speaker and I saw a tear roll down from his right eye. I suddenly got a strange wheezy feeling in my stomach. I said nothing.