DON'T BE FOOLED BY THE HAT ... OR THE TIKI BAR
An Appreciation of Hugo Duarte
Written for the Coconut Commandos Newsletter
January 2006

I have a good friend whose areas of interest and education include the history of Virginia and New Orleans, weaponry of the old West, aviation in general and naval aviation in particular, and the Civil War.  He is a pilot out of love, and his vocation is photographer for a civilian paper that covers Norfolk, Virginia, and other nearby Navy bases.

When I read Ray McAllister's article in the Richmond Times-Dispatch on Hugo playing at Hollywood Cemetery, I sent it to my friend Mike, knowing he'd be interested.  He wrote back, "Thanks for the Times Dispatch piece.  I was going to ask how you came to know him, until I read the JB stuff!  :)"

I smiled to myself, of course.  And then I realized that, while the article mentions that Hugo (and Pickett) "play a variety of acoustic music, including Jimmy Buffett and Buffett-type songs," and even though I discovered Hugo's music through attendance at Meeting of the Minds ... I don't think of Hugo as a "parrothead" musician.  In fact, In reviewing the inventory of songs on his three CDs, you'd be hard-pressed to define him as such.  Only one song on his first CD, a handful on his second, and none on his newest, fit into what is generally understood and variously labelled as "parrothead," "troprock," or "Caribbean rock" music.

So ... what do we call what Hugo writes and plays?

Another friend of mine, a singer/songwriter who also plays at MotM but who, like Hugo, falls outside of the easily defineable "parrothead" genre, introduced me to the term "Americana" as applied to music.  So, I looked it up, and found this definition:

"Americana (music) is a loose subset of American roots music, that is perhaps best defined as 'classic American music' -- ranging in style from folk, country blues, bluegrass, alternative country, and roots rock." -- from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Americana_(music)

That works for me, to a degree.  I can accept Hugo classified as an Americana singer/songwriter.  Certainly, we all love the "island' songs; "Ring the Bells," "Somewhere Headed South," "Key West Heart," and my favorite, "Another Day in Paradise."  But they don't define a writer who also produces "hat" songs like "Legend," "Willie's Country Store," "Danged Old Truck," and "Hillbilly Beach."  And there are the mainstream radio-type songs, like "Reckless Loving," "You Are the One I Love," and "Hold On to Your Love," and the romantic songs, such as "Let 'em Roll" and "We've Got Dreams."  And there are the undefineable but gripping songs like "Sawgrass" and "Hidden River." 

Most of Hugo's work has an emotional core that is as irresistable to some of us as true north is to a compass needle.  Love and friendship, expressed with the heart that Hugo seems unafraid to open to his listeners, are certainly powerful forces.  But it is the depth of thought and reflection invested in the best of his work that I think takes Hugo beyond "songwriter," which is a craft, and defines him as an "artist," which is a calling.  The designation "artist" requires not only talent, but insight, and the courage to share one's vision ... even, a lot of the time, with too many people who just don't "get it."

So, Americana.  "... ranging in style from folk, country blues, bluegrass, alternative country, and roots rock."  A good definition, as far as it goes, in describing Hugo's style.  But it falls short of describing what it is about Hugo's songs that draws the listener in.  

Those of us who do "get it" ... know.  "Americana" describes the glass ... what's in that tall cool drink may be more undefineable, but it is the stuff of life.

-30-

~ 30 ~

~ Return to Half Aft Bar Stage ~