Celia Cruz – Serenata Guajira

Serenata Guajira is a 1968 album by Celia Cruz with the Orchestra of Memo Salamanca, recorded in Mexico and released on Tico Records. The album showcases Cruz in a lively mix of Cuban and Mexican-influenced styles, including guajira, bolero, cha-cha-cha, and other tropical rhythms. Highlights include the nostalgic “Cuando Salí de Cuba,” “Echa Pa’ Lante,” “Serenata Guajira,” “Metida con You,” and “Esperaré.”

The photographed copy is the Tico Records LP-1180 / SLP-1180 edition, with Celia Cruz accompanied by Memo Salamanca y Su Orquesta. The jacket itself identifies Pancho Cristal as producer.

Tracklist

Side A

1. Cuando Salí de Cuba – 2:40
2. Echa Pa' Lante – 2:27
3. Sin Dios No Hubiera Nada – 2:56
4. Túmbaloflesicodelicomicoso – 2:25
5. En Casa de Mario – 2:15
6. Serenata Guajira – 2:16

Side B

1. Virgen de la Caridad – 2:45
2. El Cacahuahuatero – 2:06
3. Voy a Yucatán – 2:18
4. Metida con You – 2:55
5. Esperaré – 2:27
6. Corta la Fruta Verde – 2:40

The track order and timings match the Tico LP-1180 listing and the photographed jacket.

Details

• Artist: Celia Cruz
• Orchestra: Memo Salamanca y Su Orquesta
• Album: Serenata Guajira
• Year: 1968
• Label: Tico Records
• Catalog: LP-1180 / SLP-1180
• Format: 12" Stereo Vinyl LP
• Genre: Cuban / Latin / Tropical / Guajira / Bolero
• Language: Spanish
• Country: United States / Mexican recording
• Tracks: 12
• Producer: Pancho Cristal
• Executive Producer: Jerry Masucci
• Notable Tracks: “Cuando Salí de Cuba,” “Serenata Guajira,” “Metida con You,” “Esperaré”
• Recorded: Mexico
• Backing Orchestra: Memo Salamanca y Su Orquesta

Collector note: This album is especially notable for “Cuando Salí de Cuba,” written by Luis Aguilé, a song that became strongly associated with Celia Cruz and her experience of leaving Cuba. The album's original 1968 release is documented as Tico LP-1180.