If I Only Had an iPod...

It's been way too long since we've had an iPod visitor in these parts. And you know how we can't resist adding a few new good tunes to the old playlist. Today's guest DJ is sure to put you in a fiesta mood.

Writer, editor, new Blogger on the block, and author of the 5 minute daily writing exercise, C.M. Mayo stops by with a few festive tunes to share. Mayo's new anthology, Mexico : A Traveler's Literary Companion, features both established and little-known Mexican writers, and provides a literary glimpse at life south of the border. While her heart is in Mexico, our DC-area neighbor is a one-woman powerhouse of creative and literary projects. Don't miss her spoken-word CD of her award winning essay, "The Essential Francisco Sosa or, Picadou's Mexico City" —a portion of all proceeds go to benefit Presencia Animal, a Mexican dog and cat rescue organization.

South of the Border, Music Selections by C.M. Mayo

Yo quiero Mexican music! It isn't all "para bailar la bamba" and the Jumping Bean song. I prefer certain categories. For instance, La Voz; Suave (Cool); Joyas (Jewels); Fresa (literally, "strawberry"-- the closest translation would be "princess"), and this uncategorizable phenomenon that everybody except the clinically depressed wants to raise their hands and clap to --- and dance to -- and shout out to! I am talking about Juanga. I love Juanga. Little grannies love Juanga. Hairdressers love Juanga. You, too, will love Juanga. "Viva Mexico!" sings Juanga.

Here are my top five, by category:

LA VOZ
Lila Downs, "Tengo Miedo de Quererte." Lila Downs has a voice that could float an elephant.

SUAVE
Santana,"Twisted." Carlos Santana's music is like a slithering snake crossed with a flock of birds crossed with a great big chocolate ice-cream birthday cake.

FRESA
Mecano: Descanso Dominical, "Laika" The disco ode to Laika the space dog. Acually, this group is Spanish. Ni modo. Wierdly mystical.

JOYAS
Chanticleer: Mexican Baroque: Music From New Spain, "Ignacio de Jerúsalem: Mass in D Major" Carved gilded roses of sound.

JUANGA
Juan Gabriel, Viva Mexico. Fiesta to the max. Think Paul McCartney x Elton John x Englebert Humperdink x Salma Hayek. But he doesn't look anything at all like Salma Hayek.