The song of the Green Dwarfs that symbolized the exile of thousands of Argentines in 2001 and remains current

We were in 1986 when a few bands from Mendoza arrived in Buenos Aires. Ethyl Alcohol, Karamelo Santo, for example, and especially The Green Dwarfs. The latter were certainly different, not only among Mendoza, but among all the national proposals that were going around the city.

They quickly became known, they had been chosen as a revelation band a couple of years before at the La Falda festival. What earned them the release of their first album that was simply called as the group. arrived 1986, Andres Calamaro He notices them and ends up producing their next 3 albums. time trial, Strange Rooms and carouselall recorded between 1986 and 1988. The originality and quality of these works triggers them to massive recognition on horseback of a few hits, “La Muralla Verde”, “El Extraño del Pelo Largo”, “I saw you on a Train”, “ Guitarras Blancas” among others, with guests such as Andrés himself, Ariel Rot, gringui herrera and Ruben Rada. They perform at the Viña del Mar festival and are a sensation. Together with Soda Stereo they become the Argentine bands that are all the rage throughout Latin America, from Uruguay to Mexico. That opened doors for them that they themselves kicked down to fill stadiums, lead rankings of all colors and attract the attention of music producers beyond what one could imagine today.

Basically Los Enanitos Verdes were three, first after they met in the school choir, Martian Cantero, Felipe Staiti and Daniel Piccolo they got into that of putting together a rock band from their home province. They ended up being 30 years later Marciano, Felipe and the eminent drummer, a regular at this weekly column, Jota Morellian unavoidable reference when talking about the international significance of our rock.

Some comings and goings, comings and goings, comings and goings, added to some separations and solo projects, Los Enanitos Verdes continue, always looking forward. Already in the 90’s they were around Mendoza, Buenos Aires and Mexico like someone who goes from bed to living room.

The big event comes with “Bolivian Lament”a brilliant original song by their compatriots Alcohol Etílico that they recorded themselves, but it would be EV’s version that would define continental success, with brilliant performances by Marciano Cantero perfectly singing the text and by Felipe Staiti shining with an unforgettable solo. The success of that album was pushed with the invaluable participation of Marciano’s voice adding to that of his friend Alexander Lerner in “Friends”, a song that ended up becoming popular in an Argentine telenovela called Amigos son los Amigos, with bald pug and Pablo Rago at the zenith of his popularity. 300 rating points and records for albums sold throughout Latin America, comparing the song to a million friends of Robert Carlos and “When a friend leaves” from Alberto Cortez. In the sense of turning it into a new classic, singing it at birthdays, farewells and school parties at large.

Tragedy knocked on their door when already installed in Mexico they suffer a road accident where the Dwarfs are injured and everyone’s unforgettable friend Roberto Ciriglianowho had been with the band for almost a lifetime, managing, producing and negotiating, dies too young.

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They would get over the loss by touching and being together. This is how they arrive in the USA and they do so well that they set up a small artistic operations base right there.

With Soda Stereo, and later the Fabulous Cadillacs and the Authentic Decadents, they are the ambassador groups of Argentine rock, leaving the bar high for those who would arrive later from this, our great Latin American homeland.

About 9 months ago Marciano Cantero died in Mendoza. A little candy that never quite passes through our throats, sad news that is impossible to digest even today, and I suppose it will always be so. Jota Morelli told us some time ago about his stay in the Enanitos Verdes, the enormous authorial and artistic capacity of Marciano, the strength of Felipe Staiti and the support of a public that is more than faithful, is part of the history of the band.

The same audience that idolizes Felipe, one of those ageless guys, a dynamiting guitarist, the man attached to his Fender. One of those who you see walking with the guitar hanging and it seems that he was carrying a plastic crucifix, he moves the viola with the same naturalness that he climbs an embassy staircase. Felipe was founder and heart of EV. He was the first of the band that I met and I was surprised by his stop on stage at Richie Blackmore, playing was not far behind, but his stage attitude was not everyday. After life and time, today I find him playing with his sons who play as well as he does. Trying to gather the pieces of soul scattered on the floor to continue with the Green Dwarfs, with Jota and whoever appears without trying to find a replacement but to continue with the huge dwarf story. Beautiful contradiction.

Like a good Mendoza, with the genius oenologist Marcelo Pelleritihe created his own Malbec and Syrah wines that are recognized and awarded throughout the world. Felipe Staiti was the first of a long line of Argentine musicians to have his own label. Chosen by the most important guitar and amplifier factories to be sponsored while testing their products, his career is on the exact limit between perfection and effort. He composes, sings and produces, an exceptional artist perhaps more recognized abroad than here, he is the author of great songs and record producer of Nicaraguan, Mexican, Argentine and North American bands.

One of his beautiful songs is “Far away loves”, which gives title to one of the most recommended EV albums. The theme is a compositional prodigy that surprised me when I showed it to my children and found that it has 17 million views on YouTube.

I look for Felipe and ask him for explanations. “’Amores Lejanos’ is a song written in the last throes of 2001 in Argentina. It happened that many people began to leave the country again. She had a friend, who she loved very much, who was going to Spain. We were like starting a relationship. But hey, on that occasion it was her who was leaving, for my part she was always traveling, and this time the one who stayed was me. I knew that I was looking at a mirror where many were also leaving, entire families, parents, girlfriends, friends, children were leaving, families were leaving in pieces, some to one side and others to another place, all trying to be better, did you see ? Trying to twist your future. Those days it happened that Spain was the country chosen by the majority. That’s why I wrote ‘Amores Lejanos’, seeing how we all became a society of estranged loves. Always dreaming of a loved one that we had far away. The song was on the album that was actually called ‘Amores Lejanos’, that was the album they produced Alfredo Toth and Paul Guyot. A work that we love very much. The story of the title is that, I started with the guitar melody, then the whole letter appeared to me, I showed it to the boys to finish it and it was left.

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“This afternoon nothing happens, the streets seem deserted

Carmencita went on a trip and maybe I will never see her again.

Me looking through the window at the asphalt shining pearls,

The places that I frequented do not attract me, nor do they interest me.

And although today you are not planning

Over and over again, distant loves.

And although you are not here today I open my arms to you.

And I won’t stay here waiting.

Nothing’s wrong this afternoon, I can’t forget about her.

I’ve been thinking about it for a month, I don’t know if you remember me.

My future is almost uncertain, but that’s not the problem,

Where do I put my feelings…

If there is a full moon tonight.

And although you are not planning

Over and over again, distant loves.

And although you are not here today I open my arms to you.

And I won’t stay here waiting”

Beyond the success, the misfortunes and the achievements of the Green Dwarfs, what does not stop calling my attention is the sadly cyclical history of this country.

I don’t know what the style or repercussion of a song similar to “Amores Lejanos” would be today, but what I am absolutely sure of is that the motivation that Felipe Staiti found to write it, today anyone else could find it inspired to write it.

Fundamentally because the situation happens to us again. Dangerous economic situation painful family exiles, misfortune and neglect everywhere. It would seem that more than a destination, It is a karma that of Argentina. Faces change, speeches change, what will never be different is the pain of being uprooted from what is loved.

Is this the demonstration that a great song overcomes fashions and moods.

And that sometimes a better time can be painted through music than with photos or political chronicles in the newspapers.

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