Customer Reviews

30 Anos

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4 star:		(3)
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While the fine points of south american politics may escape many, it is nearly impossible to mistake the voice of this once-exiled singer: she is all at once mighty, beneficent and tender. She is an army for the cause of the heart, with a smoky alto rooted deeply in the rhythms of the south.

This album presents a gratifying breadth of her work, thematically diverse but carried throughout by the unwavering certainty of Mercedes' marvelous delivery ("Gracias A La Vida", her signature song, could make a diamond weep).

This album transcends language barriers to reveal the glory of a woman whose art reverberates with the blood and suffering, majesty and hope of the human condition. It is music of power and grace, for the most part unbound by the commercialism of the day.

The only break in this gratifying visit with Mercedes is "Unicornio", which sounds a bit like the product of a weekend with Yanni. Every other track on this album is alive with spirit and fervor, making this an excellent and fulfilling introduction to the long and fruitful career of this legendary performer. 30 Años is well worth your time.

Mercedes Sosa (1935) is one of the greatest Argentinean folk singer!
She jumped to public attention when she was fifteen years old winning a singer's radio contest in Tucuman, her natal Province. From that point on she continues growing up as a notorious figure in the folk singers medium.
Due to difficult political situation at Argentina in 1979 she was forced into exile by military Junta, revisited Argentina briefly in 1982, giving a live recital and returned definitely in 1984 with the arrival of democracy.

The songs of this CD reflect Mercedes' musical life, not only Argentinean music but a wide and rich Latin American repertoire.
"La Maza" from Cuban Silvio Rodriguez's repertoire interrogates the audience, in poetical language, about what will be songs & music without substance. It is sung with deep compromise by Mercedes.
"Maria, Maria" authored by Brazilians Milton Nascimento & Fernando Brant, with unmistakable afro rhythm is interpreted brilliantly by Sosa.
Chilean composer Violeta Parra contributes with a top notch composition: "Gracias a la Vida" with Mercedes giving way to all her sentiment.
"La Arenosa" whose text is authored by Manuel J. Castilla and music composed by Cuchi Leguizamon, two well known folklorists and traditional motive "Luna Tucumana" are compositions more in line with Mercedes' usual compilations.
"Alfonsina y el Mar" whose text is authored by Felix Luna and music composed by Ariel Ramirez, tells the tragic end of poet Alfonsina Storni. Mercedes give a pungent interpretation.

These are only some of the themes that compose this beautiful album. You shouldn't miss it by all means!
Reviewed by Max Yofre.

I heard Mercedes first when I was waking up in the top loft of a mountain house in the central highlands of Nicaragua. The shutters were open and there was a cool and delicious wind sweeping through the house, and Ms. Sosa's powerful voice came in with that wind. For a moment I half-wondered if I had expired and gone somewhere even more superb than that excellent place. Hers is a sound which is elegant, universal, puissant, essential.

Listening to Mercedes Sosa brings back such happy memories for me of Buenos Aires. I highly recommend this beautiful CD. Even if you don't understand Spanish her music will inspire you to work for social change. Mercedes Sosa has lived a couragous life, speaking out against the military dictatorship in Argentina, and her bravery is reflected in her songs. Listen to her music and you, too, will ache for a better world.

Musica llena de ternura, compromiso y esperanza. En un mundo que parece que ya nadie valora el amor, la solidaridad, el canto, la alegria, y la fe. La musica de Mercedes Sosa es como un oasis en el desierto.

After having heard Mercedes live in Florence Italy and in Austin Texas I must say that her music is as moving through her CD as it is in person. Mercedes has a way of capturing her audience and holding their attention captive until she has sung the last note. And after having the last note of a song she releases her listener only to have them thank her for their momentary incarceration. NOTE: One CD that is a must for any listener of Mercedes is De Mi.

On a shopping trip to the HUGE Unicenter shopping mall in Buenos Aires, my friend and I stopped in a music store and asked a beautiful young man for his recommendation of the best Argentine folk music CD. This album was his selection, and he was right on target! Mercedes' voice radiates and reverberates all heart. My favorites are the more upbeat songs --- perfect for boring road trips! Buy this CD and be transported to the Old Almacen in Buenos Aires, the wide open Pampas, and the high Andes. Enjoy!

I bought this album because I had heard some of Sosa's duets with Holly Near, and I wanted to know more about Mercedes Sosa. She has since recorded a song with one of my favorite artists, Francis Cabrel (check him out, too!) I really like the album, but I wish that lyrics had been included with it. Since I am not a native speaker of Spanish, the lyrics would help me to understand more about the songs.

I first heard Mercedes Sosa several years ago on my first trip to Argentina when I was a young man, fresh out of university. I was captivated by her grace and singing then and she reminded me a lot of Montserrat Caballé of Spain, whom I saw at the Edinburgh Festival one August when I was still a college student. 30 Años is a very powerful yet romantic album. It's the kind of album you want to play when making a passionate love to your wife. Mercedes Sosa's voice penetrates to your heart and gives you that additional kick which brings out the most poetic, tender passion in you. In this CD one savors every lyric of each song that Sosa masterfully interprets. My favorite song is Alfonsina Y El Mar. Buy it, you will love it.

Sometimes an artist channels something so profound, they become a force of nature. Mercedes Sosa is such an artist. Her voice is as deep as a canyon and as wide as a sea. Spanish is my second language. I still don't understand everything. I don't need to when I listen to Mercedes Sosa. The passion in her voice transcends language and is as universal as the sound of the crashing surf. This collection contains beautiful versions of her most popular classics. "Maria Maria" is the kind of song that makes you that makes you glad to be alive. "Grasias A La Vida" reinforces that feeling with a thank you to creation. This is the kind of music that touches the soul and speaks to the common thread of what it is to be human. To a singer, I can give no higher praise.