Luna

Claudia Acuna | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 16, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: MAXJAZZ
• ASIN: B0001IN0JY
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #225,420 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

In 1995, Chilean vocalist Claudia Acuna arrived in New York City from a country with a small jazz scene. Since then, she's worked with everybody from George Benson to Danilo Perez, and released two CDs, Wind From the South and Rhythm of Life. Now, on a new label, Acuna presents a poetic and percussive Pan-American program of standards and original compositions. Supported by a cadre of young Turks including Jason Lindner on keyboards, Puerto Rican bassist John Benitez, and Venezuelan percussionist Luisito Quintero, Acuna combines the best of Violeta Parra, Flora Purim, and Betty Carter, as evidenced by her brilliant renditions of the timeless bolero "Tu, Mi Delirio," the Afro-anthemed "Lilas" by Djavan, and Armando Manzanero's classic, "Esta Tarde Vi Llover." "Vida," the CD-ROM bonus track with Acuna and Lindner on Fender Rhodes piano, shows how this diminutive diva is broadening the multicultural and multilingual horizons of the American popular song. --Eugene Holley, Jr.

Product Description

On Luna, Acuña marks her move to MAXJAZZ and continues her evolution as an original artist. Acuña was committed to singing in her native tongue for the majority of the CD and begins with "Esta Tarde Vi Llover," an evocative ballad by Armando Manzanero that showcases her splendid vocalizing. Lindner's first contribution, "Yesterday You & I," has a contemporary jazz feel and features a sweeping chorus of voices. Acuña's contemplative rendering of "Tu, Mi Delirio" by Cesar Portillo de la Luz follows. Always lauded for her story-telling ability, Acuña is arresting in relaying the emotion behind "Arrimate Mi Amor" by Pedro Green & Jorge Diaz. Lindner and Acuña teamed up to write "Historias," which features a catchy, lilting chorus and delves into Acuña's funky side with help from John Benitez on electric bass. "Chorado" by Guinga entrances immediately by pairing Acuña's vocalizing with Jimmy Greene's siren song on soprano saxophone. "A Meditation on Two Chords," is a poetic tune from Lindner with words by Kim Smith that spotlights Gene Jackson on drums. On "Oceano" by Djavan, Acuña takes the listener right to the ocean with her intense, soulful interpretation. On "Yo No Llevo La Razon" by Antonio Restucci, Luisito Quintero stands out on percussion, assisting Acuña in keeping the upbeat rhythm of this tune in full swing. Acuña and Lindner combine to heat up, "Lilas," another Djavan tune. The final collaboration by Acuña and Lindner, "Carita de Luna," reveals Acuña's romantic, vulnerable side and brings the CD to a soft close. [*CD-ROM bonus track is "Vida," also by Acuña and Lindner.]

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful Work of Art - Incredible, January 28, 2005

By 

DC A ReaL OG (New Orleans, LA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Luna (Audio CD)

Words escape me, when it comes to describing this beautiful work of art. Claudia Acuna, has hit her stride, and she's not looking back. It's interesting to note that when she signed with JazzMax, she said JazzMax was willing to let her do the things SHE wanted to do (Artistic Freedom). Well, they must be some SMART folks at JazzMax, because apparently they turned Claudia aloose and LAWD-HAVE-MERCY. I don't speak spanish, but the simple beauty of Claudia singing can bring me to tears. Listen to the BASS on "Arrimate Mi Amor", and how Claudia "flirts" with the BASS LINE... the phrasing, the change-ups...ohhhhh the passion. I imagine to get it THIS-RIGHT, 3 CD's into her recording career, the challenge for Claudia is: where to from here. If you don't have this CD - GET IT! Cluadia if you ever read this... stay true to yourself... you've NAILED it like BAMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM (smile).

Jean Luc