My travels recently took me through Nicaragua, and I remembered the Clash put out a triple album named Sandinista!, so I felt it would make for a good post.
If you recall, the Clash were never shy about social topics or politics in their music (e.g. “Spanish Bombs“), so the name Sandinista! shouldn’t come as a surprise.
Without being longwinded (you can read more via Google and Wikipedia), the album title refers to the rebels, i.e. the Frente Sandinista de Liberación Nacional (Sandinista National Liberation Front), who ended four decades of dictatorship under the Somoza family in Nicaragua.
The Sandinistas took there name from August Cesar Sandino, a Nicaraguan revolutionary who fought against U.S. military occupation from 1927 to 1933.
The socially conscious album title is backed by songs of various musical styles that would later see it associated with the world music.
Knowing I’d be traveling to Nicaragua, I had a keen desire to write a post about Sandinista! There’s a lot of material though, and I’m certainly not the best person to give a critical, track-for-track write-up on it. On the other hand, I do take many photos while traveling, and it occurred to me to juxtapose them to the song names.
After a month in Nicaragua, I’ve gone through my photos and listened to the songs. what follows are the results of my endeavor.
Enjoy!
The Magnificent Seven
Downtown Managua, near the port.
Hitsville U.K.
The sign on the right reads, “Don’t let your partner die. We have Viagra.”
Taken in San Carlos.
Junco Partner
Atop Cerro Negro, near León.
Ivan Meets G.I. Joe
In San Carlos, portside.
The Leader
Statue of Augusto Sandino, downtown Managua.
Something About England
Imagine Bar on Abbey Road, Granada.
Rebel Waltz
View from the ferry deck, San Carlos to Ometepe.
Look Here
One of many buses dedicated to the J-man, León.
The Crooked Beat
Jamming van, downtown Managua.
Somebody Got Murdered
Signage on Mancarron Island, Solentiname Archipelago.
One More Time
Tired buddy, León.
One More Dub
Church in Granada.
Lightning Strikes (Not Once But Twice)
Near Santo Domingo, Ometepe.
Up in heaven (Not Only Here)
Street view, León.
Corner Soul
Gov. building downtown square, Managua.
Let’s Go Crazy
Big air on Cerro Negro.
If Music Could Talk
View from shore, San Carlos.
The Sound Of Sinners
Yet another jazzy J-man decorated vehicle, San Carlos.
Police On My Back
Busy day, León.
Midnight Log
Propaganda, León.
The Equaliser
Festive propaganda, San Carlos.
The Call Up
Nik is ready for anything, Maderas Lagoon, Ometepe.
Washington Bullets
Portside, Managua.
Broadway
Roundabout, downtown Managua.
Lose This Skin
Me, Cerro Negro and the countryside.
Charlie Don’t Surf
Local Market, San Carlos.
Mensforth Hill
Atop Volcano Maderas, Ometepe.
Junkie Slip
On Mancarron, Solentiname.
Kingston Advice
Alley art, Managua.
The Street Parade
School’s out, León.
The Version City
Yellow metal trees, Managua.
Living In Fame
Homage to rebel victory, Managua.
Silicone on Sapphire
The sky over Lake Nicaragua.
Version Pardner
Yellow metal trees near the port, Managua.
Career Opportunities
View from Volcano Maderas overlooking Lake Nicaragua.
Shepherd’s Delight
View from Cerro Negro.