From Argentina to Brazil, the art of payada knows no borders. International maestros like Walter Mosegui and Gustavo Guichon find inspiration in diverse landscapes, keeping the tradition alive while nudging it gently into the embrace of modernity.
Strumming Stories of the Gauchos
Out from the pampas emerges payada, music draped in gaucho lore, weaving tales with strings and voice. It’s the talk of the southern town squares, an art mastered by payadores in countries like Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, and Chile.
No symphony of chords here; the Spanish guitar holds the fort, setting the scene for what truly matters: words crafted on the fly.
The Duel of Wits
Contrapunto doesn’t come easy; it’s a lyrical joust where cleverness is king and poetry, an armor. Payadores duel in verses, sparring over love, nature, and the politics of their times.
Insight and humor tangle in an impromptu dance, revealing a storyteller adept in crafting verses that resonate with the people.
A Tradition in Flux
A tip of the hat to medieval trovadors, these troubadours adapted their craft along the River Plate. The 19th century saw its rise, etched into the fabric of both rural and bustling city life.
Far from a relic, payada marches into the modern age, refreshed with themes of today. While tradition anchors it, innovation gently nudges it forward.
Rhythms Across Borders
Geography begets diversity in this chorus of voices. Argentine and Uruguayan payada strike with wit and social tones, Brazilian ‘desafio’ sways with local folk charm, while Chile adds its own cultural beats.
Each region shapes its style, yet the thread of improvised storytelling keeps it as one.
Legends in Verse
Names like José Curbelo and Gabino Ezeiza echo in these poetic fields. The latter, a maestro who melds culture with his voice, casts shadows long enough to inspire.
In this troupe, Wilson Saliwonczyk, Horacio Otero, and Jorge Guerrero pen their verses, while Marta Suint speaks of defending rights, blending messages with melody.
A Stage Eternal
Payada strolls beyond familiar borders, crossing into global appreciation. Competitions and festivals become playgrounds where wit reigns, an ongoing testament to its enduring allure.
In the mix are maestros like Walter Mosegui, who finds the world his stage, or Gustavo Guichon, invoking landscapes where poets like Leopoldo Lugones once roamed.
Tracklist :
Payada
A payada is an improvised duel of verse sung with guitar, rooted in gaucho culture across Argentina, Uruguay, and southern Brazil. Its structure draws from décima poetry and demands rapid lyrical wit.
Waldemar Lagos & Carlos Lopez Terra
This live clip features Waldemar Lagos and Carlos López in a gaucho duet format, likely showcasing traditional Argentine folk or payada with rural poetic sparring and classic accompaniment.
Argentino Luna Y Nicolás Membriani En Cosquín
Argentino Luna and Nicolás Membriani perform at Cosquín, Argentina’s premier folk music festival. Their act blends Luna’s renowned payador style with Membriani’s younger voice, continuing oral traditions on stage.
Video 4 – Payada Ivana Murta
Part four of a series showcasing Ivana Murta in a payada performance. She represents a newer generation of payadoras bringing the traditionally male form into a more inclusive spotlight.
Contrapunteo Entre Jorge Y Pedro Guerrero. Parte 1
“Contrapunteo entre Jorge y Pedro Guerrero. Parte 1” captures a spirited Venezuelan llanero verse duel (contrapunteo), where two copleros exchange poetic questions and replies in the joropo tradition. It’s a rhythmic battle of wit rooted in rural honor-bound culture.
Contrapunteo Yondri Vs Di Luca – Festival Panoja De Oro 2007
“Contrapunteo Yondri Vs Di Luca – Festival Panoja de Oro 2007” features another joropo clash at Venezuela’s Festival Panoja de Oro, showcasing improvisational lyricism and the classic question–answer structure that defines contrapunteo.
Contrapunteo Llanero Moroturo Y Alcides Padilla (C) Jlaya
“CONTRAPUNTEO LLANERO MOROTURO Y ALCIDES PADILLA” presents copleros Moroturo and Alcides Padilla trading verses in the traditional llanero style. Their recorded duel exemplifies how losing a contrapunteo can wound a singer’s pride.