Customer Reviews

17

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4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

First let me confess, I am a BIG fan of Ricky Martin. So, most all of his work impresses me. But this DVD and the almost twin CD are something I'd like non Ricky fans to see and hear. He's so much more than Livin' La Vida Loca. The guy's got a deep, lush voice (just listen to 'Tu Recuredo" on the "17" CD--from his MTV UNPLUGGED release--another GREAT CD & DVD). The man can sing!! The videos selection here is eclectic and allows you to see Ricky through his 17 years as a soloist. He's always been the consumate peformer but the videos allow you to see how his style has changed as he has grown and matured. I especially love the EPKs (electronic press kits) since they let you see him at work and kind of at play as he jokes with the camera. If you think Ricky is just the guy with the hip movements (although they are pretty fine!) you are missing out! He's incredible!

Whereas years ago a Best Of music videos DVD was issued in english, this product offers videos in spanish/2 in spanglish. The video images are extremely vibrant and crisp. The ill-fated LIFE Dual CD Disc w/dvd footage that was canceled by Sony previously, as well as the Almas DelSilencio featurette top off this release with behind the scenes footage and Ricky at work, play and exercise, showcasing his beefcake waist-stripped photo shoots. The discography for all his albums and their track listings is a nice feature. It takes a bit to get used to the menu option to forward/back-up individual videos to play, and there is no "All" option.
Ricky's dynamic use of either his native language, english, or spanglish, does not diminish the dance/soul urge you feel when his music fills your ears. You can't help but feel emotion when his sound enages your senses.

THIS DVD CONTIANS ALL OF RICKY'S VIDEOS ALL IN SPANISH. THE TRACK LISTING ON SONG #11 "SOLO QUIERO AMARTE" DOESN'T CONTAIN THE APPEARANCE OF CHRISTINA AGUILERA. ALL TRACKS ARE AS FALLOW.

1. TE EXTRANO,TE OLVIDO,TE AMO

2. MARIA (REMIX SPANGLISH VERSION)

3. FUEGO DE NOCHE,NIEVE DE DIA

4. VUELVE

5. LA COPA DE LA VIDA (SPANGLISH VERSION)

6. LA BOMBA

7. LIVIN' LA VIDA LOCA (SPANISH VERSION)

8. BELLA (SHE'S ALL I EVER HAD" SPANISH VERSION)

9. SHE BANGS (SPANISH VERSION)

10. LOADED (ENGLSIH VERSION)

11. SOLO QUIERO AMARTE (SPANISH VERSION,NOT A DUET W/CHRISTINA AGUILERA)

12. TALVEZ

13. JALEO

14. Y TODO QUEDA EN NADA

15. JURAMENTO (SPANGLISH VERSION)

16. QUE MAS DA (I DON'T CARE) FEAT FAT JOE & AMERIE (SPANISH VERSION)

17. DEJATE LLEVAR (IT'S ALRIGHT,SPANISH VERSION)

BONUS MATERIAL: *LIFE FEATURETTE/LIFE ALBUM(2005)

*BEHIND THE SCENES/ALMA DEL SILENCIO ALBUM(2003)

**PHOTO GALLERY (1991-2007)
**DISCOGRAPHY (1991-2007)

BONUS VIDEO: QUE DIA ES HOY (SELF CONTROL) (SPANISH REMIX)(1993)

Even though I do not speak Spanish, I enjoy listening to and watching Ricky Martin's latest collection album, "17". Ricky is a passionate artist who sings from the heart with so much emotion, as demonstrated in the songs "Te Extrano, Te Olvido, Te Amo", "Fuego De Nocha, Nieva De Dia", "Bella", "Solo Quiero Amarte", and "Tal Vez". Furthermore, his exceptional acting talents are revealed on this DVD, particularly when he sings "Y Todo Queda En Nada", "Bella", "Loaded", and "Jaleo", for his character's anguish, pain, and love are eloquently depicted even without understanding the lyrics. As always, Ricky's romantic side is evident, but "Juramento" highlights this quality to perfection.

For those fans that do not understand Spanish, there are many English portions on this album. Firstly, there is one song that Ricky sings entirely in English and some Spanglish songs. Moreover, the bonus material is either in English or an English translation is provided. Although I had previously purchased the album "Almas Del Silencio" and was able to listen to it repeatedly for the music is so alluring, the "17" DVD provides an English translation to the behind the scenes. Knowing and understanding Ricky's feelings behind the songs makes listening to them more meaningful.

In addition, the behind the scenes of the "Life" album are also in English. Many shots are from NY, my hometown, and the simplicity of it all makes it so realistic. The scenes revealing Ricky's toned physique add to the enjoyment of learning about the production of this album. I especially liked the video of "Dejate Llevar" as the setting was once again in Manhattan, and I enjoyed the creative way he brought this city to his song by using technology so artistically.

Additionally, although the video remix of " Que Dia Es Hoy" was not in English, you can see how far Ricky matured into the multitalented artist he his today, from his voice and dance moves to his personal style.

As a Ricky fan, I love this compilation CD. It has a variety of his biggest hits to celebrate his solo career of 17 years. I never tire of his voice on these classic ballads like Vuelve and no one can sit still during the high energy Latin dance songs, like La Bomba. Whether you are a loyal fan who wants to have every Ricky CD or someone who is just checking out his music for the first time, you will love this excellent CD!

It has been a long time coming and so worth it. Have been wanting good clear Ricky videos from his latest years for quite some time. :) Even though I have some of the older ones that is fine with me to have them all in one place.

Four-time Grammy winner Ricky Martin has been one of the best entertainers in show business for over 15 years now and this excellent career retrospective of his music videos well illustrate what a versatile, appealing vocalist he is (as well as being one of the best-looking men on the planet in case you hadn't noticed LOL). This collection is almost exclusively of Spanish songs but you don't have to know the language to enjoy the music and the videos. Many of these tracks are simply among the best music videos ever made.

1. TE EXTRANO,TE OLVIDO,TE AMO - Ricky's first hit from 1995 (a #4 record in France), it's still one of his best vocal performances and most romantic songs. Alas we are getting the circa 1998 remake video (this one and "Maria" were redone then apparently to capitalize on Ricky's burgeoning career and not make the songs seem "old" as Ricky's hair was much longer in 1995) which is very beautiful but rather uninvolving; the original video was so lovely, haunting, and bittersweet, I wish the DVD could have included it at least as a bonus track.
2. MARIA (REMIX SPANGLISH VERSION) - The original video from 1995 was a very exciting mix of concert footage and studio footage expertly edited; this one is just as appealing however albeit quite different with terrific on location footage, an endearing flirtation subplot, gorgeous blue sepia tints, and Ricky utterly appealing.
3. FUEGO DE NOCHE,NIEVE DE DIA - good song but not one of my favorites of the videos with it's rather pretentious storyline and Ricky in not one of his most flattering looks with a goatee and longer hair although he's still handsome of course.
4. VUELVE - Gorgeous song, gorgeous photography, gorgeous house, gorgeous Ricky!
5. LA COPA DE LA VIDA (SPANGLISH VERSION) - a #1 hit in many countries, this is the song that won Ricky his first Grammy and broke him in the American market via his performance that night. The video is a brillantly edited video fully capturing the excitement of a Ricky Martin concert and Ricky at his best.
6. LA BOMBA - Very sexy and quite macho Ricky struts through this excellent Latin partying song.
7. LIVIN' LA VIDA LOCA (SPANISH VERSION) - His most famous song of course, an international #1 hit, it's essential and very entertaining.
8. BELLA (SHE'S ALL I EVER HAD" SPANISH VERSION) - Ricky hit #2 with the English version of this song in America; the Spanish translation hit #1 on the Billboard's Latin chart (one of 10 #1 hits for Ricky on that chart). Very nice song and video.
9. SHE BANGS (SPANISH VERSION) - One of his biggest hits, a top five record in many countries, this one however works better in English particularly the video where Ricky was much more playful (I miss the head-tilted eye roll!). Great special effects and Ricky at perhaps his sexiest.
10. LOADED (ENGLISH) - The only song in this collection completely sung in English; a fun track but a rather conventional video even if the song's melody is uniquely 70s pop.
11. SOLO QUIERO AMARTE - a solo Spanish version of his hit English duet with Christina, "Nobody Wants to Be Lonely"; excellent song and performance, beautifully shot and Ricky is ultra handsome.
12. TALVEZ - a #1 Latin hit for Ricky in 2003, moving song and video. Outstanding.
13. JALEO - another chart topper, another great song, the video well captures a film noit mystique even while it's in gorgeous color.
14. Y TODO QUEDA EN NADA - Very good video with an "alone even at a party" theme, most notable for the Mexican-flavored color pallets, unfortunately a little too heavy-handed with it's imagery at times but Ricky gives an especially superb vocal performance here.
15. JURAMENTO - Excellent song is almost overwhelmed by the video's special effects with a woman dancing with multiple Rickys but it's very entertaining.
16. QUE MAS DA (I DON'T CARE) FEAT FAT JOE & AMERIE (SPANISH VERSION) - It's fun to see Ricky tackle hip hop, quite successfully in fact although American radio refused to give him a chance at all during this period. The song did much better internationally.
17. DEJATE LLEVAR (IT'S ALRIGHT,SPANISH VERSION) - Ricky really rocks out in this fantastic song with a great groove; the special effects are sensational in this video. One of his alltime best songs and videos.

This DVD does have one of the more burdensome chapter starts out there and can be difficult to navigate with it's thin light grey on white background, you might just want to hit play all ("ver todos") and jump to the song you like. The bonus features are short promo films for two of his albums (one of these is in Spanish with English subtitles; the other in English with Spanish subtitles) and one of Ricky's earliest videos, a 1993 Spanish cover of "Self Control". Ricky Martin is one of the best when it comes to infectious pop, be it in Spanish or English, and he is equally superb handling ballads. This is one DVD you will play over and over. Highly recommended.

i was wondering before buyin this if someone could tell me whether this contains dolby 5.1 or not.

There is nothing wrong with ricky or his video, it is all about the DVD format or the programming, it really sucks, the worst in 21st century, ever.....

You can't skip to the next video, you must wait until the existing video to play until the end, then it jumps into the menu selection, then only you can select the video you wanna see next manually....