OCV 28 - The Lara Brothers

Parang identifies a social custom derived from Trinidad’s Hispanic heritage. The word itself if a colloquial term for parran, an adulteration of parranda, the Spanish word for spree. The custom was introduced to Trinidad by Spain’s Capuchin monks of the Order of St. Francis, somewhere between 1686 and 1689 and adapted to the social environment of the island, mainly by the native Amerindians and African slaves. It has been heavily influenced by neighbouring Venezuela. Parang kept flourishing even after the Spanish capitulated to Britain in 1797 and has been crystallized into the Christmas season in Trinidad.

This legacy family of four brothers (Antonio, Tito, Willie, Victor), and two sisters is related to cricket superstar, Brian Lara, through more than one connection. They started singing in Caura with their father, lgnacio Monastero, in the 1940’s. Ignacio was Venezuelan and only spoke Spanish. As he got old and left the band they took the maiden name of their mother, Lena Lara, and became the “Lara Brothers.”


The music was recorded on Sunday, September 17, 1995, at The Village Hall, Hotel Normandie, situated on the old La Fantasie Estate, St. Anns, Trinidad. The room is a very large, natural acoustic space with lots of wood and excellent reverberation characteristics that are very suitable for live recordings. The atmosphere was one of total relaxation and spontaneity and there was little need for repetitive “takes.”