2.03.2011
Face Melting Music Oppression: The History of MANTECA
Listen to Dizzy Gillespie's Manteca
Manteca was co-written by Dizzy Gillespie and Chano Pozo in 1947. It was one of the first examples of world music and Afro-Cuban influences being incorporated into mainstream jazz. The piece referred to racist tensions in America when Dizzy Gillespie is heard singing, "I'll never go back to Georgia" (Wikipedia). Ever since, a cloud of mystery and oppression has plagued the song and all who dare attempt to play it's infectious toe-tapping groove. As such, the tune remains the only Face Melting song with it's own Police Force and is kept far out of reach of today's pop music listening simpleton by sheer police intimidation.
Of course, the most historic image of Manteca oppression is the infamous 1962 picture of Elvis being whipped by a member of the Manteca Police after performing the afro-cuban hit live during the heat of Cuban Missile Crisis.
For these reasons, artists for decades have avoided playing the tune live. Even today, the 'man-teh-cu', is often found hidden by the band with balls big enough to play it in a Tweezer or Stash sandwich to avoid being noticed by authorities. Through the years the song has faced enthusiastic requests from Phanners, yet, the tune has only been played 11 times since 1990.
Check out this scorching version from the University of Central Florida Arena, Orlando, FL 11/14/1995 back in the day when the band apparently had two drummers and before everyone in Central Florida got hooked on meth. Proof
One last thing...
Dizzy Gillepsie practiced the Bahá'í Faith, which was created by this guy:
Tell me he doesn't look like a pretty h3tty fellow who loves him some Manteca jam?
Manteca was co-written by Dizzy Gillespie and Chano Pozo in 1947. It was one of the first examples of world music and Afro-Cuban influences being incorporated into mainstream jazz. The piece referred to racist tensions in America when Dizzy Gillespie is heard singing, "I'll never go back to Georgia" (Wikipedia). Ever since, a cloud of mystery and oppression has plagued the song and all who dare attempt to play it's infectious toe-tapping groove. As such, the tune remains the only Face Melting song with it's own Police Force and is kept far out of reach of today's pop music listening simpleton by sheer police intimidation.
Of course, the most historic image of Manteca oppression is the infamous 1962 picture of Elvis being whipped by a member of the Manteca Police after performing the afro-cuban hit live during the heat of Cuban Missile Crisis.
For these reasons, artists for decades have avoided playing the tune live. Even today, the 'man-teh-cu', is often found hidden by the band with balls big enough to play it in a Tweezer or Stash sandwich to avoid being noticed by authorities. Through the years the song has faced enthusiastic requests from Phanners, yet, the tune has only been played 11 times since 1990.
Check out this scorching version from the University of Central Florida Arena, Orlando, FL 11/14/1995 back in the day when the band apparently had two drummers and before everyone in Central Florida got hooked on meth. Proof
One last thing...
Dizzy Gillepsie practiced the Bahá'í Faith, which was created by this guy:
Tell me he doesn't look like a pretty h3tty fellow who loves him some Manteca jam?
2.02.2011
Face Melting Festival Announcements: Watkins Glen
Wo0Ky Bobby's coming to your town
He'll help you party down
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