Jekyll Island Beach 2012

Jekyll Island Beach 2012

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Y is for Yma Sumac



The Rogue Speaks:

Well, last week I told you that I was going to connect my "X" and "Y" posts for Jenny's Alphabe-Thursday, and today I am fulfilling that promise.

I grew up in a home where there was music--classical, contemporary, and international, thanks to my father. I was a small child when I first heard the voice of Yma Sumac. She was quite the rage in the 40's and 50's, and her recordings made their way to the U.S. where they were eagerly snapped up by music aficionados who just could not believe her vocal range. It was totally amazing! Her vocal range was over five octaves. She was able to sing baritone notes as well as notes higher than an ordinary singer. The album my father bought was called "The Voice of Xtabay." Apparently no one in America knew how to spell Xtabai!!

Yma was born in Peru, and was believed to be an Incan princess, directly descended from Atahualpa, the last Incan emperor. Hmmm! That sounds suspiciously like the the subject of my last week's offering!!

She first appeared on radio in 1942, singing Peruvian folk music. The music that made her famous in many countries is called Exotica. She recorded many tracks of folk and Exotica, as well as a sultry selection of lounge music.

She died in Los Angeles at the age of 86.

Well, I've gotta jump now! It's time to research a "W" for next week!

p.s. The singer your hear in my musical selection from Playlist is YMA!!

Did I really say "W"???? I meant "Z"!!!!!

34 comments:

Su-sieee! Mac said...

I was in my 30s when I first heard her. Her name far interested me than her voice. Amy Camus spelled backwards. I've often wondered if that was her real name. Guess I'll go do a Google search now. :-)

Ames said...

I grew up listening to music from different cultures. My husband often looks for old and unusual LP's at thrift stores. It's pleasant change from all the modern day stuff. Especially on a rainy day like to day. Her music reminds me of the old black and white jungle /safari movies out of the 40's and 50's soundtracks. Nice post Judie. I enjoyed listening to her.~Ames

Rocky Mountain Woman said...

How lovely...

What a nice listen for a snowy afternoon....

xxoo,

RMW

Morning said...

informative y post.

bless your day.
Thanks for the visit to my entry.

Lola said...

Lovely listen for any afternoon!

Lovely post-as always,

XOXO Lola:)

Anonymous said...

very interesting Judie...
and she does have quite a range...
i'm curious now about the amy cumas name...you are so good at throwing a bit of culture to us!!!
BEAR HUGS
~victoria~

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

thinking of W already?
wow..

next one is Z I think.
Fantastic Yma introductory. way to go.

Judie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Cher Duncombe said...

She had an exquisite voice, Judie, didn't she? How blessed to were to experience a variety of cultural music in your youth.

Tammy said...

You come up with more unusual stuff! Love it!

Cathy Kennedy said...

Thanks for the introduction. I shall have to see if I can find some of her music to listen to. I love music!

I appreciate you showing me some love by stopping by my blog today.

Your newest follower,
Cathy Kennedy, Children's Author
The Tale of Ole Green Eyes

Personalized Sketches and Sentiments said...

Wow! She surely does have a range in the songs you have shared here on your playlist! Love to learn more from yet another interesting post of yours!

Blessings & Aloha!
(And I loved what you wrote on my "Young Sweethearts" post!!!! Those are seriously in among our favorite commercials! How cool! I have to tell all our kids! I already told my hubby about your 8th grade boyfriend :o) Oh! And I thought I already followed you, but went to check and now I do at #81! (and I'm not only just now following cuz of your 8th grade boyfriend...but I have to say again...thath is sooo cool :o)

aspiritofsimplicity said...

I love learning about new music and musicians. What an interesting and powerful voice she has.

21 Wits said...

Thanks for introducing such an amazing singer....I don't really know that much about her...I'm wondering if any of this music was in any old movies...some of what I hear sounds like I've heard it before...and you're hopping over to W already?! Cool! Hope you have great plans for the weekend ahead!

THE SNEE said...

I love reading your posts Judie! My audio isn't working on my new iPad, but I can't wait to listen. Big snowstorm coming! I will be serenaded by some Peruvian music while the flakes fall!

Pondside said...

What a voice! She starts the piece so very low and then trills up the octaves. There's a wonderfully mysterious quality to her voice.
I grew up listening to LPs of Arabic singers - beautiful and completely unknown in Canada.

Susan Anderson said...

Your Alphabe-Thursday posts are always the most fascinating of all.

Thanks, Judie.

=)

Jo said...

what a voice! thanks so much for sharing this post Judie!

~✽Mumsy✽~ said...

Her voice is wonderful! She is new to me, so thank you for introducing her..

Rachel @ Finding Joy said...

Lovely and interesting post. I enjoyed reading about the music that you grew up with. :)

Rachel @ Finding Joy said...

hee hee hee on your comment about mason jars on my blog! I'd choose a good jam any day as well. :)

Along These Lines ... said...

Yma is yummy

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Yma has a very magical voice! I enjoyed listening to her on your playlidst.

Mari's World said...

Now that is all brand new to me but I love the myths that surround the Inca world, they fascinate me and therefore so does your princes here.
I only wish I had more time to dig deeper

Cindy Adkins said...

I had never heard of her before--this is really interesting... thank you for this post.
XO

Donnie said...

It was neat learning something new. Thanks.

Slice of Pie Cookbooks and Entertaining said...

Great post ... learned something! Thanks for visiting mine ... Thanks for sharing

JJ said...

Really good music, and I like the interesting post. BTW, how is the book coming along?

Sarah said...

Bummer..the music didn't work for me. Now I have to Google her to see what I've missed.

Judie said...

JJ, I am still writing it, but in my head only right now. We are in the middle of a master bath remodel and I can't find the quiet time I need to actually write. When I get 15 more pages written I will let you take a peek!!

Unknown said...

Aww, the music doesn't work for me either. It's all because I'm overseas. Guess I'll have to google her too. Thanks for sharing such a unique "Y" post :)

Lisa H. said...

I guess I'm too late to hear her. I just hear Stevie Wonder. I will have to check her out on line.

Jenny said...

What a wonderfully ethereal voice, Judie. I swear you are making me all kinds of cultured. It is always so wonderful how knowledge expands our worlds.

You do that for me every single week...

And I thank you for that.

And thank you for linking.

A+

Anonymous said...

All of Miss Sumac's exotic wardrobe is being auctioned by her personal assistant, to whom all was left. This is very exciting! It can be seen by doing an Ebay search for 'Yma Sumac owned.'