Chatter about “Almost Like Praying”–the song Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote and recorded to benefit hurricane relief efforts in Puerto Rico–reminded your editor of this performance by the brothers Palmieri and salsero Ismael Quintana…
Celia Cruz calls and responds with a largely Puerto Rican crowd at Yankee Stadium in the next great performance, which is always on point. First‘s friend Richard Torres provided a quick translation of the second bridge…”if your man ever tries to lay hands on you, pick up a skillet and brain him…leaving a Bemba Colora.” Thanks to culture heroines like Celia Cruz, the Mayor of San Juan was ready stand up for herself and her people. B.D.