El Cantante: The Originals [Original recording remastered]

Hector Lavoe | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 3, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Fania
• ASIN: B000R7I33W
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #69,978 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Héctor Lavoe (1946-1993) was born Héctor Juan Pérez in Ponce, Puerto Rico, and became known to his fans simply as El Cantante (the singer). His hectic career began when he moved to New York City as a teenager and headlined with Willie Colôn's band and, later, with the Fania All-Stars. But despite a series of hits that culminated in a 1987 Grammy nomination for his final album, Strikes Back, his posthumous reputation was not nearly so widespread as it deserved to be. Then, in 2006, he became the subject of a film biography, also called El Cantante, which is now available on DVD. Starring the modern Latin-and-crossover superstar Marc Anthony, and featuring his pop star wife, Jennifer Lopez, as Lavoe's long-suffering and endlessly loyal mate, Nilda "Puchi" Roman, it captures much of the gritty, mesmerizing yet poetic urban ambience that launched his tragic but ultimately triumphant legacy. The present album gathers together several of Lavoe's most iconic tunes, many of which were covered by Anthony in the movie. However, with all due props to the younger artist, Lavoe's own interpretations are still the ones to beat. Showcased in selections composed by Johnny Pacheco and Rubén Blades, among others, and produced by Willie Colôn, his lifelong friend and collaborator, his creamy, resonant tenor, flawless phrasing, and improvisatory zeal are so incandescently organic that he never seems to break a sweat--even as he wrings every possible iota of lyric, rhythmic and emotional truth from each tune. --Christina Roden

Product Description

Héctor Lavoé continues to be source of tributes, covers, drama, and films. This collection of carefully remastered original songs affirms that the attention is well deserved. It features some of the classic hits he recorded together with Willie Colón, such as the rhythmically inventive "Che Che Colá" and "Aguanile." "Mi Gente" was the song in live performances that would celebrate his direct connection and empathy with people. "El Cantante," written for Lavoé by Rubén Blades, is reflective of his love for his vocation as a singer for the people. "El Dia De Suerte," "Todo Tiene Su Final," "Lloré," and "Plato de Segunda Mesa" are songs that speak about how to cope with bad luck, fate, death, betrayal, suffering, and uncertainty. These were all ingredients to Héctor's life, yet there is nothing sad in the music. On the contrary, his music is a celebration of life that inspires dancing. The influence of Lavoé will continue to be felt in the Latin music world, but nothing beats listening to this remastered original.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nothing like Lavoe's originals, September 9, 2007

By 

Arlyn Garcia-perez "Salsa Fan" (Rockville, MD USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: El Cantante: The Originals (Audio CD)

I also purchased the soundtrack for the movie "El Cantante" and was sorely disappointed. The new musical arrangements by Sergio George for this movie have gutted the original classic salsa sound. There is barely a remnant of the cencerro (cowbell) and the clave (the two sticks), two percussion instruments essential to any salsa brava, as all of Hector's songs were.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have for all Salsa fans, September 18, 2007

By 

Flora I. Huang "Proud Nuyorasian" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: El Cantante: The Originals (Audio CD)

For those of you getting to know Hector Lavoe, this is a great starter album. The move "El Cantante" has renewed an interest in the original pioneers of salsa like Lavoe, and this album compliments the movie very well. Sure, you can get Marc Anthony's rendition of the genius and his songs, but you should always start out with the original.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Good... but windows does not display titles correctly, July 12, 2007

By 

Victor M. Mendoza "vittorino" (Caguas, Puerto Rico) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: El Cantante: The Originals (Audio CD)

Those who like Hector Lavoe will enjoy this cd. Although the quality is not excellent (I heard the original LP in one of my neighbor's sound system and liked the sound and was amazed by the coda of Periodico de Ayer, an almost classical part at the end of the song with violins which lamentably is not included in this CD.)
I also like Dia de Suerte. How the chorus begins at "destiempo"... had not noticed it? uhmm.