Customer Reviews

Canto

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Buyers take note, this is not "Los Super Seven" as you remember them from the Grammy winner from'98. This is more like "Los Supers" with the addition of such notables as Susanna Baca, Rick Trevino, Ruben Ramos, Caetano Veloso, Raul Malo and NUMEROUS others. Gone is the Tex-Mex flavor of Los Super Seven, replaced by a collection of songs that fill into the world music category with much diversity including Caetano Veloso taking over in Portuguese for one fourth of the album. Susana Baca performs a heartfelt number entitled "Drumi Mobila" which has lullabye folkloric qualities in Spanish? Is this bad? Not really but it is such a departure from the the original Super Seven CD that it is worth taking note before buying. The songs have an old world flavor ala BVSC. IMO the best songs are those that remain closest to the original where Hidalgo, Rosas or Trevino take the musical lead, translation, an extension of Los Lobos/Tex-Mex. The cohesiveness is lacking because of the different musical styles and the result might better be suited for a compilation. It comes across sounding like one of those music from the four corners of the world albums. The music itself is very good, excellent musicians all lending their talents to reflect the diversity of "Canto." Recommended for those fans of world music beyond the southwest.

I've never been a Los Lobos fan, although I did admire (and buy) "Kiko," mainly because I was a gigantic Crowded House fan at the time and it was produced by CH producer Mitchell Froom. But this is something else altogether. I will admit I bought it because of Raul Malo and especially Caetano Veloso (godhead of Brazillian music and the sweetest voice on earth next to Green Gartside of Scritti Politti), and they do not disappoint -- Malo's "Siboney" and "Me Voy Pa'l Pueblo" showcase his amazing range and emotion, and Veloso's "Qualquer Coisa" is breathtaking, as usual. But Rick Trevino's amazing vocal turn on the Cuban chestnut "El Que Siembra Su Maiz" is worth the price of the entire CD. Who IS this guy, anyway!? As my grandpa used to say, ay chimales. This CD was a terrific idea, executed with love and precision, which makes for that rarest of things: a CD you actually listen to all the way through.

I was drawn to this CD by the first track, "Siboney", an old standard by Cuban songwriter Ernesto Lecuona, given a beautifully raw and plaintive a capella rendition by Raul Malo. The other songs are delightful in different ways, though they are not all to my taste. Each of the seven artists here seems to have contributed some of his/her own songs, with a minimum of collaboration. Therefore there is a mix of styles and languages. What is uniform is a warmth and love of the music that comes through in each song.

Canto, the second offering from Los Super Seven, is different from the debut album, but in a good way. Notably absent from this album is the norteño inspired accordion work of Flaco Jimenez, Canto expands beyond Mexican music and expertly interprets Caribbean and South American rhythms. Raul Malo's vocals on "Siboney" are particularly wonderful as is Rick Treviño's work on "El Que Siembra Su Maiz." The Super 7's tribute to Arlo Guthrie, on "Campesino", is especially warming to anyone who has ever known anyone who toils under the hot sun. Perhaps the best song on this album, after Siboney, is the Cuban standard, "Me Voy Pa'l Pueblo," which reminds me of lazy days on a Caribbean beach.

Many will compare this album to works by the Buena Vista Social Club, which is flattering and true only in that both albums are wonderful. The rhythms and artistry will render the fact that this is a Spanish language album moot. If you have a Susana Baca or Buena Vista inspired album in your collection, then you must purchase this album.

This collection of Latino music and musicians from around globe is certainly in a trajectory away from Los Super Seven, but still in vein of the richness and beauty of this passionate music genre. Especially into "Me Voy Pa'l Pueblo" and "Teresa."

Neat added touch of comments by performers with the words and translation of each cut!

This album takes off in an interesting different direction for this group. I stumbled onto it on REal Rhapsody and was hooked right away. A fine mix of old standards that any latin music fan will recognize, but all done in distinctive, ear-catching ways. New tunes as well, and the funny but right addition of Veloso's Brazilian portuguese into the otherwise Spanish mix. Fairly straightforward arrangements but all performed with a clear passionate love for the music. Fine recording too. I'm a big latin music fan, have listened to the entire brilliant variety of musics from the latin world, and this album is right up there with the best.

I've never been a Los Lobos fan, although I did admire (and buy) "Kiko," mainly because I was a gigantic Crowded House fan at the time and it was produced by CH producer Mitchell Froom. But this is something else altogether. I will admit I bought it because of Raul Malo and especially Caetano Veloso (godhead of Brazillian music and the sweetest voice on earth next to Green Gartside of Scritti Politti), and they do not disappoint -- Malo's "Siboney" and "Me Voy Pa'l Pueblo" showcase his amazing range and emotion, and Veloso's "Qualquer Coisa" is breathtaking, as usual. But Rick Trevino's amazing vocal turn on the Cuban chestnut "El Que Siembra Su Maiz" is worth the price of the entire CD. Who IS this guy, anyway!? As my grandpa used to say, ay chimales. This CD was a terrific idea, executed with love and precision, which makes for that rarest of things: a CD you actually listen to all the way through.

Heard 'em live on the radio on my way to the grocery store. The mix of vocal harmonies, percussion & guitar was perfect! Made me want to stop the truck, get out, dance around and holler "I've found it, I've found it," it being THE SOUND. Repeatedly asked myself "Who are those guys," and drove around the parking lot till the DJ answered the question, which didn't help. Los Super Seven. Hmmm. But then she started naming names: David Hidalgo, Ruben Ramos, Rick Trevino, and things started slowly clicking. Then they launched into another piece and I was absolutely blown away, as when I first heard Edgar Meyer and Bela Fleck play together. Which may seem a strange comparison, but man, those guys are so technically proficient, and play with such enthusiasm and grace and humor, that the comparison stuck. All I could think of was how much fun Los Super Seven appeared to be having, and I wanted to join in. And you will too, once you hear them.

Lordy, Lordy! Gentlemen and lady of Los Super Seven...if you can read this...know now that I praise your names to the heavens above...to He that is all Good, Knowing and Loving.

I wept tears of unbounded joy with the first recording which brought back memories of my Grandfathers' (God bless his memory) garage and the sweet music made there. With "Canto" I am stunned by how beautiful this style of music can be. I'm not a big fan of the tropical style but man o' man have I been pushed into it's camp.

The voices are sweet....Susana Baca lulls me with her enchanting lullaby, Raul Malo...I love you man...Mr. Rosas...you keep the drive up the grapevine alive...but David Hidalgo...you...you are the MAN! and to Louie Perez, thank you for the prayer to St. Teresa...your words ought to be added to the list of prayers for her.

Buy this recording...and thank the good Lord that these fine gentle people walk the earth...

The kind of CD I tell people to just buy --don't worry, don't ask questions, you're bound to be glad you got it. I've listened to it over three days now. You fall in love with certain songs. A second effort is always a slight let-down, because a really great idea is hard to duplicate, yet that's what you sort of expect. When you first put this one on, you don't hear border music, and you feel let-down. Then you notice how damn well they do all these songs. And they seem to know how to go back to the basic principles of all these forms and to show you them.

The singing is great across the board, but listen esp. to one of Cateno Veloso's numbers and listen to Susanna Baca --I never appreciated her before. They aren't afraid to riff with their voices, and what they do is so sweet. And that Rick Trevino --damn!

Those Lobos never disrespect music, know what I mean?