Customer Reviews

Boleros Eternos 1

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I ordered this album thinking that I was going to relive the music that in my childhood I had listened in family parties and saw my parents dance (when there was a lighter spring in their step.) I was not wrong! From the very first cut " Nostalgia de Palmeras" to very last note in this album there is nothing but a sequence of memories. Some good some bad, but all in all this album is a journey into memories held dear by my heart and they define me as well as many other forty somethings. More objectively I can say that if you are a latino, or at least a Spanish speaking Anglo, the beauty of the lirics,- sometimes coy, at times romantic and often unabashedly elegant- offer an experience defined every bit by the clarion of her voice as by the beauty of orchestration. In the the remastering process all of it comes through with three dimensional qualities. Celia's interpretations compiled in this album are from different moments in her career. You can actually appreciative that in spite of the passage of time her voice got stronger, sharper and never, never lost that magic of inflexion and nuance that makes every song uniquely hers. Celia was and still is a phenomenon in music very much like Edith Piaf, Nana Mouskury, Judy Garland, Roberta Flack,Tina Turner, Barbara Streisand, Pat LaBelle, and Judy Collins. Celia certainly lead a less tempestuous life compared to some of the lives of these Divas. Nonetheless she had her own share of suffering and yearning. Suffering and yearning that she used to fuel her artistry in a positive and creative manner that kept her always relevant and in demand. Along decades Celia poured her heart into her singing, without vanity or self-serving egotism. Every ounce of her honesty and unusual craft as an artist remains in history through many recordings. This one is certainly not an exception.

This is the first salsa or any similar CD that I've ever purchased. It's not music that had previously spoken to me for personal listening.

But I couldn't get Celia Cruz's haunting Te Busco out of my mind. Even though I heard it only years before in the closing sequence of the exceptional Australian film, Lantana. When a clip appeared on youtube, I was a goner, and felt compelled to purchase the album.

This has become a favorite CD. I play it often.

Now, years later, I'm an intermediate Spanish student and I had to try to translate Te Busco. I couldn't listen now without knowing this song of so obvious longing and memory. I really got stuck on one of the verses and posted it to a Spanish/English forum.

"No wonder you are confused about 'me roban formas de tu rostro'," a native of Spain wrote back. "This song is kind of a poem. It's full with metaphors and allegories."

And, this comment on youtube: "Excelente cinta [Lantana], el final con Celia Cruz (rip) cantando no pudo ser mejor, totalmente melancólico."

The incomparable Celia Cruz only gets better with her age, if that's even possible for the Latin Queen of Rhythm. Her expressive boleros are as much acoustically seductive as they are technically musical. High quality recording. Very enjoyable. A must for all Latin music lovers.

great cd with great music. if you like cuban music this is one of the cds you want to have

This is one of the best CD's I own. I have purchased several copies for friends. A great collection of classic songs by one of the "greats."

This song is a nostalgic poem, so whichever way you translate it will be inaccurate. The voice of Celia Cruz is just perfect for this great "bolero".

En cualquier huella te persigo
en una sombra te dibujo
huellas y sombras que se pierden (en la soledad)
la suerte no vino conmigo.