From TV Theme Song to All-Spanish Album, Guatemala’s Gaby Moreno

[Audio:http://media.theworld.org/audio/09132012.mp3]

Originally published at PRI’s “The World”

The theme song for the TV show “Parks & Recreation” was co-written by Guatemalan singer-songwriter Gaby Moreno. But Gaby Moreno does more than TV themes.

She’s got a new CD out called Postales.

Now, I’ve known about her music for a couple of years, but it never really touched me until I got her new record about three weeks ago.

It’s as if she’s come home with this new album. She’s found her voice.

On Postelas Gaby Moreno sings all the songs in Spanish; the songs on her previous album were in English and Spanish. And I have to say, she’s equally good in English as she is in Spanish.

“Ave que Emigra” means “bird that migrates.” It’s a song all about coming to the United States, but it’s not the typical immigrant song. It’s just a very subtle song about coming to a new country. She’s beautifully arranged it in a kind-of American folk tune.