Chavela at Carnegie Hall [LIVE]

Chavela Vargas (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 2, 2006)
• Original Release Date: April 25, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Tommy Boy
• ASIN: B000EQ46W8
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #29,734 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Latin Music > Regional Mexican > Ranchera

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Chavela Vargas's voice isn't technically beautiful, per se. It doesn't soar upon lovely melodies or dance among cooing choruses. Rather, the iconic singer's vocals became an integral part of whatever it is she is singing, a natural extension of the music. Vargas' unique approach to a song makes this collection, recorded in September 2003 at Carnegie Hill in New York City, an otherworldly experience. Her singing--withered by love, loss and a decidedly uncommon life--takes root within the rapturous lyrics of Jose Alfredo Jimenez, Agustin Lara, and Cuco Sanchez, among others. The partnership blossoms and grows, often twisting and turning through anger, tears and moments of sheer joy. Vargas lets out pleading cries and guttural growls that make each song entirely her own. Throughout the concert--and amid the disc's lush artwork--Vargas stands as a captivating goddess. Her moments of humanity, however (apologizing for not speaking English, lavishing gushing praise on a few songs) make the experience all the more captivating. --Joey Guerra

Product Description
On September 15, 2003, an adoring and sold-out Carnegie Hall audience gathered to pay tribute to a true legend and revolutionary. Everyone in attendance was aware of the magic and history on that stage, and was in awe of how an 84-year old woman making her Carnegie Hall debut wielded fearlessness and heartache to command the venue. Fearlessness is what brought her to the public's attention in Mexico in the late '50s when she dressed in men's clothing, smoked cigars, carried a gun, and chased women in a time when this was unimaginable. She openly seduced women with "Rancheras", Mexican folk songs of love and loss intended to be sung by men that became a transgressive force in her mouth. She's been an inspiration and muse to countless artists. This special collector’s edition is a custom CD Digipak with foil embossed double cover with a 20 page book containing original illustrations by Rafael Esquer and lyrics in Spanish with English translations. The liner notes are written by Carlos Monsivais, one of Mexico’s leading scholars and cultural critics and this year’s winner of Mexico’s highest award: The National Arts and Sciences Award. This unique package includes 10 postcards with beautiful images of Chavela.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Viva! Chavela Vargas !Viva Mexico! -inimitable,mystical artist , February 9, 2008

By	MR WT MAKHATHINI "thando" (Durban, South Africa) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is my 6th Vargas CD and I thought I have heard the best already but after getting this CD I know I was wrong.At Carnage Hall-Live-2003, she was 83 at the time but her voice remains the best ever.ALL SONGS ARE THE BEST, i have heard others in other CDs but this is Chavela who interprets differently in every CD she comes up with.In her own words she said"The years take you to a different feeling than when you were 30, I feel diffently, I interpret diffently, more toward the mystical".Jon Pareles-New York Times says"Ms Vargas's voice has lowered and roughened since her early hits, but she has traded the illusion of youthful innocence for a galvanising sense of drama.Each line of song was a poise surge of emotion.She growled or sighed the word"amor";,she could sound tearful,furious, desolate.She sang of "La Llorona" in a whisper,toa rapt audience""" but something must be clearly stated, the voice is still powerful, when it is lowered it is a matter of style and exprecion of emocion.This CD has come to the top of Vargas collection.my first cd was "La Llorona" and "Macorina" which I consider the best ever but they will have to bow down to this CD.Another great thing about this live recording is the superior sound, the engineers must be commended.Oh! the guitarists,Juan Carlos Allende and Miguel Pena Tovar-just listen to Soledad, Cruz De olvido, to be honest there is no particular track that I can say is the best because the whole CD captured my soul.Since I saw the movie "Frida",Julie Taymor's 2002 featuring Salma Hayek,Chavela Vargas I have been collecting everything by Vargas, Cuipama CD will be on my CD shelve soon.By the way this CD will not fit in your normal CD rack because the cover is not the normal size but is bigger with posters of Chavela Vargas, liner notes in English are provided. This CD will appeal to all people from all over the world.Enjoyed this music so immensely to such extant that I'm lost for words on how to describe the way one may feel when listening to this CD.Chavela Vargas is simple a phenomenon.Buy it as a gift.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A legend, July 17, 2006

By	Roberto Carlos Martinez (Author) (Woodbridge, VA USA) - See all my reviews

Chavela Vargas is a legend without a doubt. A woman who broke so many barriers, and even at her age she is still surprising people. A singer beyond her time and someone who has her own style. Her voice isn't the most beautiful voice, but it's a voice that comes from the soul. Her way of expressing emotion, like the voice of heartbreak itself. At times she whispers, at times she sounds drunk, other times she sounds like she is screaming. The album starts with "Macorina" with the spanish words "20 years....the bodies like flags" Never has "Un Mundo Raro" sounded so unique. The sadness in "Soledad" leaves you in amazement. Loneliness sounds so trong in that song. "La llorona" is one of her most popular songs. Vargas is definitely one of the most unique Latin artists, she is an acquired taste. No hip shaking here, just emotion. Either you are going to like her or you're not.

3.0 out of 5 stars typical chavela :), October 24, 2008

By	Jiri Votruba "Jirka" (Prague) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Chavela is Chavela, without comparasion because nobody can sing as her. Her style is unique. if you like it or not, everybody recognize her voice.