
Listen To Alt.Latino's Sonic Altar For Dia De Los Muertos

People gather in front of an altar in honor of the victims of Mexico's September 19 earthquake, in the site of a collapsed building at Tlalpan neighbourhood in Mexico City, on November 1, 2017. Pedro Pardo/AFP/Getty Images hide caption
People gather in front of an altar in honor of the victims of Mexico's September 19 earthquake, in the site of a collapsed building at Tlalpan neighbourhood in Mexico City, on November 1, 2017.
Pedro Pardo/AFP/Getty Images
Listener Irene Luna Guzman dedicates a song this week to her "Abi Delia." Courtesy of Irene Luna Guzman hide caption
Listener Irene Luna Guzman dedicates a song this week to her "Abi Delia."
Courtesy of Irene Luna GuzmanEvery year we honor the celebration of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) with a special show that stands as a sonic altar in tribute to friends and family we lost in the past year. The Mexican folk holiday is anything but creepy; it's a way to honor the recently departed, as well as ancient ancestors. We build this sonic altar each year with help from Alt.Latino listeners, who send us their dedications.
This year, we also took time to honor the people who lost their lives in the devastating earthquake in Mexico City, as well as the two hurricanes that hit Puerto Rico this fall.
It is a simple gesture, but we hope it helps with the healing during a very difficult time.
Sonic Altar For Dia de los Muertos

Al la Muerte by Rodrigo Gallardo
- Song: A La Muerte

Cómo Te Extraño Mi Amor by Café Tacvba
- Song: Como Te Extraño Mi Amor

augustin lara cover Courtesy of the Artist hide caption
Tus Pupilas

Palmas (Borinquen) by Nómade
- Song: Palmas Borinquen

El Bombon de Elena

You're Still A Young Man by Tower of Power
- Song: You're Still a Young Man

Wish You Were here by Pink Floyd
- Song: Wish You Were Here

People by Barbra Streisand
- Song: People
From listener Julie Drizin:
"My mom, Barbara Drizin, died last year. She is the reason I know Spanish. She was a high school Spanish teacher who insisted all four kids learn it in school. Several of us won the Foreign Language Prize at our high school graduations. And now, several of our children are becoming fluent through Spanish immersion programs and study. One of the grandchildren is now a Spanish teacher, two have lived in various Latin American countries. My mom inspired a love of the language and cultures. She had a life-long obsession with Don Quijote. She and I travelled to Cuba together (before the policy change). We played 'People' by Barbara Streisand at her funeral."

Sentimiento by Al Hurricane
- Song: Sentimiento
from listener Diego Montoya:
"New Mexico just lost one of our biggest and brightest music stars, Al (Sanchez)Hurricane. Al Hurricane passed away yesterday at the age of 81 and was a pioneer in the New Mexico Music scene. He has helped numerous NM artists get their start and has represented NM proudly his whole life. By combining rock & roll with traditional NM sounds Mr. Sanchez was able to make traditional music "cool" last in NM. I think his song "Sentimiento" (which was covered by Selena, by the way) is perfect to play in memory of him. I know all of the local NM artists have been sharing stories and memories, keeping his music alive for generations of New Mexicans and Latinos."

Pajaros by Bomba Estereo
- Song: Pájaros
from listener Diane Velez:
"Bomba Estéreo - Pájaros. For my brother Brian who passed away 3 weeks ago, it's our favorite song."

Just The Way You Are by Billy Joel
- Song: Just the Way You Are
from Listener Eleanor Shuman"
"For my precious son Michael Gary Shuman who passed with the angels in January. I planted two fruit trees in his honor here in San Miguel Allede and took aheart of white roses to Pozos Minerales."