Scott Ainslie's video: Scott Ainslie: The Land That I Love

I write songs when I have to. There are plenty of good songs in the world. And I am content to sing them – until there is something that needs saying and is not being said. Grecia Cruz’s story needs to be heard. As does the story of the manipulation and victimization of hard-working people by corporations and governments on both sides of our southern border. "The Land That I Love" had to be written. And it had to be tested. I took it to two dear and trusted musicians and friends: singer, saxman, and accordionist Dr. José Cuellar (the leader of Dr. Loco’s Rockin’ Jalapeno Band) and guitarist Tomás Montoya. “This is not my song,” I said, “You have to tell me if I’ve got this wrong. I’ll scrap the song if it doesn’t feel right, respectful, and useful, to you.” This is a video of a performance in November at Eddie Owen's Red Clay Music Foundry in Duluth GA. But, the Border accordion and Latin-style nylon-string guitar accompaniment on the recording in the hands of José and Tomás, respectively, are their testimony. They donated their work to bring the song to life. The melodic quote in the instrumental break in the song was a gift from Tomás. When Tomás first heard the song, he mentioned that the melody and chord changes reminded him of "La Golondrina" (The Swallow) – a traditional, poignant, and hopeful song of parting that is sung at funerals, birthdays, and weddings. The metaphor of La Golindrina plays on the fact that the swallows who depart in the winter, return in the spring. I listened carefully to the traditional piece and quoted from it in the instrumental break in hopes of awakening the song in the hearts of Latino listeners. I hope that you will listen and be moved to learn more about NAFTA and the role that US trade policies and globalization play in manipulating labor on both sides of our southern border and in creating the pressing needs that are driving immigration. There is more information, the original NPR story that brought Grecia's loss to my attention, and background information on the impact of the NAFTA treaty on working people on both sides of the border at https://cattailmusic.com/land-that-i-love/