Morning song#Manu Chao #Me Llaman Calle

When it came to writing my book on Manu, it was the chance to publicise some of his political causes that that appealed to him more than a conventional rock star biography. In fact, the book ended up as two books in one – the first his back story, through the fascinating alternative 1980s in Paris (where he was managed by a porn star called Marc Winandy with “the biggest dick in the business”), followed by explosive success, those insane boat and train tours and his breakdown and lost years.

The second half of the book is an on-the-road gonzo portrait of Manu when I was summoned, often at a moment’s notice, to Buenos Aires at a psychiatric asylum (pictured right) where Manu recorded with some inmates, to Mexico, where gigs were cancelled due to drug gang outrages, to Madrid with prostitute activists. (One of his best songs, “Me Llaman Calle”, [see video below] is about working girls whose bodies are for sale but whose hearts aren’t. When it won song of the year he got a bunch of them to accept the award. Cue massive publicity.) Then there was the time I went with him to the Algeria Sahara for a film festival at a Polisario refugee camp in Tinduf (where, surreally, I ended up playing bongos with Javier Bardem). 

Posted from: https://theartsdesk.com/new-music/clandestino-search-manu-chao

Among the nominees in the top categories, several artists stand out from the often overwhelmingly pop-driven focus of the Academy. One of the world’s most revered alternative music figures, Manu Chao is nominated for his album La Radiolina, for Best Latin Alternative Album. The album carries on the fusion of music and politics for which he’s known. “Me Llaman Calle” is a tribute to female sex workers, nominated in the Best Short Music Video category.

Posted from: https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96951419