Joe Theobald, aka DJ Captain Wormhole, Looks at all things vinyl 

WHAT a miserable time of year. Bleak mornings, miserable work, 354 days until Christmas and just over two weeks til Trump gets inaugurated.

In the spirit of engaging this new year with at least a modicum of positive mental disposition, I’ve retreated to the land of escapism, taking myself on an imaginary journey to the warm azure waters and soft white sand of Cuba.

In 2010 I actually spent a few months rolling around the Caribbean island, exploring the politics, rum and music. Since it’s such a happy place in my head, in order to take the edge off, I’m tranquilising the quivering nausea of January with a meander down memory lane. Here’s a bit about the revolutionary poet José Martí and a song called Guantanamera.

Martí wrote over 70 books of prose, poetry, philosophy and polemics, he is considered one of the most important voices in Spanish literature and died in a glorious suicidal charge against the Spanish at the Battle of Dos Rios. Guantanamera is a song comprised of lyrics taken from his poetry and adapted by Julián Orbón.

Pete Seeger elevated the song’s fame with his version on the 1963 album We Shall Overcome. Seeger’s intention was for it to become an anthem to promote peace and fraternity around the time of the Cuban missile crisis. I don’t really like this hippy version.

Compay Segundo (the guy who wrote Chan Chan) did a much better rendition.

You may also enjoy Carlos Puebla’s Hasta Siempre, Comandante, another song inspired by a revolutionary who fought to free Cuba from tyranny.

Anyways, the point is, Viva Cuba Libre and death to the great orange satan with small hands.