Customer Reviews

Discoteca Batalla

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Perla Batalla takes the rich traditions of her Mexican roots and has spun pure gold on this album. While much of the material is original it is the pristine treatments of sweet standards that take this disc right to the top of musical achievements for this year. That this singer has not won a grammy or latin grammy is an indictment of the corrupt, teen pandering system that can overlook one of this planet's very best singers.
Let us begin with the voice: Perla Batalla's voice is the Chateau Lafite Rothchild wine, the Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee, the Mercedes-Benz' Maybach automobile of vocal instruments. She can reach the back row of the balcony without raising her heart beat and she can bring real tears with ballads so sweet they make your heart ache. The purity and power of Perla's pipes is rare and wonderful to behold. Secondly, there is the choice of marvelous material which gives freedom to the perfect vocalist to cover the gamut of emotion. You can hear a fine voice on American Idol but you can only put love into lyrics like Perla by travelling a long musical journey filled with setbacks, surprises, good friends, family and a deep abiding love for singing.
"Cuando Sale La Luna" has an meringue in its romantic soul and "La Llorona" finally tells the Mexican folk tale of the sorrowful woman with style and compassion. "Mexico de mi Alma," is a powerful,contemporary anthem to the mother country and the silken "Cucurrucucu Paloma" has long been owned by Ms. Batalla. Yet, these gems are not the highest of the heights on the disc. Little "Mananitas," the simple birthday song is so beautiful as to take your breath away. Only such a lovely rendition could make me happy on yet one more of mine own. My own personal favorite "La Barca de Oro" is destined to strum many a heart string. This ballad, so tender, so loving is performed to utter perfection here. If you can listen to this exquisite performance without a lump in your throat you better check for a pulse. I have honestly set my CD player to program number eleven six times running just to luxuriate in the tones like a hot bath of emotion.
There is more, much more with a little chile on it at "Discoteca Batalla." "Reloj," Sentimientos" and "Cine de Llantos" all shine but the much played "Guantanamera" is made new and poignant in these trying times by this sparkling arrangement. Ms. Batalla says in the notes that this album is a labor of love, a love for her family, her Spanish language and music. She has done them all proud. What we have here is deeply satisfying, a work that should achieve deserved longevity among a great variety of listeners. It is a group of songs that should find listeners in cafe's in Silverlake, in apartment buildings in Pico Union, in grand hotels in Montecito, in kitchens in Ojai and patios in Oxnard. It should be heard in New York City, in New Orleans, in Mexico City, in Barcelona, and it will be heard in Glassell Park many, many times. The dedication to quality and obvious love and respect for the material shines through every song. Even though my Spanish is strictly drawn from growing up in Los Angeles I feel the emotion even though sometimes the words are unclear. It is a language I love, respect and recognize as the best set to music in the world. I liken my affection but poor understanding to some favorite lines in the film "Shawshank Redemption": "I have no idea to this day what those two Italian ladies were singin' about. Truth is, I don't want to know. Some things are best left unsaid. I like to think they were singin' about something so beautiful it can't be expressed in words and makes your heart ache because of it." Indeed, when Perla sings material as wonderful as this it is beyond the power of words. This album ranks with the great Los Lobos folklorico album "Del Este De Los Angeles," Juan Luis Guerra's "Bachata Rosa," and Vicente Fernandez' "La Muerte De Un Gallero" as my favorite Spanish language albums ever.

This is just another example of Perla Batalla's absolutely incredible voice, not to mention the outstanding music and lyrics. She and the very talented band bring an excitement to music that is truly rare, and the treat is to have it on a cd to enjoy whenever I want. I could tell you it is fantastic and special and beautiful and meaningful and that it is pure joy to listen to, but you really should find out for yourself.

She's a great singer and her version of "Cucurrucucu Paloma" is especially beautiful. This CD builds to a strong finish with that and "Guantanamera" and "La Barca de Oro" -- really sublime!

If you haven't heard this great singer you have to check out her Discoteca Batalla. I love Cucurucucu the best but all her CD's are great!!! Check out her music on perla.com

Perla is aptly named for the hidden jewel she is. Her rendition of popular Mexican songs is hauntingly beautiful. Her songs, "Mexico" and "Las Mananitas" are always in my heart.

I've been haunted by Perla Batalla's voice since she and Julie Christensen sang with Leonard Cohen. Her cd of Cohen songs is the best of the several versions out there. This collection of mostly Mexican songs is outstanding. "La Llorona," "Cucurruccucu Paloma," "El Reloj," show off her voice and sensibility to great advantage. This is music to quicken the heart and soothe the soul.

Perla is the bomb.
luv her luv her luv her.
can't wait to see her live sometime.