Customer Reviews

Mas Canciones

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Original Review 9 March 2005

I am not a Mexican, but I have circulated for years in the Mexican parts of Los Angeles, and I have travelled throughout Mexico, enjoying the native musicians on street corners and in parks and cafes. I have always wondered about those who praise Lola Beltran as the "great" Mexican singer. She sounds too urbane and too international to me--in the manner of Catarina Valente. I always thought the real spirit of Mexican music was better represented by such as Las Hermanas de Alba. And now Linda Ronstadt carries on the true Mexican tradition in her later work. Whatever else she may have sung in her career, I find in Linda's Mexican singing the authentic flavor of Old Mexico.

Update 17 May 2006

Last night as I was browsing the reviews of this record, I got curious about the various comparisons to Lola Beltran. Not having listened to Lola for quite some time, I went through a stack of stuff from both Linda and Lola to refresh my ear.

My conclusion. Lola is good, but Linda is better.

Linda has a much broader emotional range. With all of her musical excelence, Lola has a dreadful sameness from song to song--even songs which should be handled quite differently. For example, It is quite disconcerting to hear Lola back to back on "Ya No" and "Me equivoque contigo"--songs which should be very different in emotional tone sound all too similar. As it happens, I heard the latter song on the radio a few days ago by a male artist. His rendition shoots Lola's down the drain.

By contrast, Linda's emotional range is both subtle and immense. For example, from her "Tata Dios," which wrenches me to tears every time I hear it, to the mock seriousness of her "El toro relajo," which is always worth a good laugh. After reviewing a batch of Lola's work this morning, I can't imagine her ever having such an effect on me. Lola still strikes me as a city person trying to sing country. Whatever else Linda may have done in her life, she somehow manages to dig her toes into the true country soil of Old Mexico.

Viva Linda!

I don't know the first thing about the "authentic" style of this music, the native singers, or if Linda has the correct spanish phrasing... All I know is that when I play this CD, a little bit of sunshine enters my gray Philadelphia winter days, and it makes me want to do a bit of dancing! (And I'm sure my dancing isn't the least bit "authentic"...) Plain and simple, this CD is just a lot of fun.

THIS IS A WONDERFUL CD, I ALSO HAVE HER FIRST CD CALLED CANCIONES DE MI PADRE, BOTH ARE GREAT. SONGS . I AM A MARIACHI FAN. IAM ALSO MEXICAN AND LINDA SINGS GREAT IN SPANISH. I TOTALLY DISAGREE WITH ANYONE THAT SAYS ANY DIFFRENT. WE HAVE ALOT OF SPANISH (MEXICAN ) SINGERS. THAT CALL THEMSELF SINGERS AND DONT EVEN COME CLOSE TO THEY WAY LINDA SINGS. I HAVE PLAYED THIS CD AT PARTYS AND MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY WANT TO KNOW WHO SHE IS, THEY LOVE HER SINGING AND THEY LOVE THE SONGS THAT WERE SELECTED.

Some critics say that this is ok but "one has not the foggiest of what she is singing" Well good music transcends language barriers. The ugly american rears his head again. This is an excellent recording in any language. This lady's voice is beautiful in any language

Linda continues her wonderful tributes to her Mexican heritage. Her version of "Mi ranchito" compares favorably to that of the great Lola Beltran. I didn't like the song selection on this recording quite as much as those on "Canciones de mi padre," but it's still wonderful. Linda, yo te adoro. Por favor, cante mas en espanol.

One can tell by the emotions she gives to these songs, especially ones like "Tata Dios", that she truly loves this music, especially since it's possibly music she grew up with. Too many critics, unfortunately, don't give Linda enough credit for taking chances and exploring the obvious various types of music that she loves and instead spend more time praising people who more or less release the same stuff year after year after year. Linda has made a huge impact in the music world and still has an incredible glorious instrument. Many singers today should follow her lead and take chances without worrying about whether their albums would debut at number one or not. Linda has not been in the music world this long for nothing.

Linda applies her one-of-a-kind vocals to an outstanding set of songs packed with emotion. I have gained a better understanding of Mexican culture and music through this CD. This CD is worth it just to listen to her magnificent voice, but the songs are gorgeous, too.

First, Linda Ronstadt receives top praise HERE IN MEXICO by all MEXICAN fans of ranchera who know any ranchera that has been recorded in the last two decades and that does not get radio play. Her two ranchera albums are both considered precious, if not well-known, masterpieces HERE IN MEXICO, and even her 1970s greatest hits album is now sold in all of the record stores HERE IN MEXICO as well as on the streets of MEXICO CITY and GUADALAJARA in pirata (illegally sold, privately-burned copies of CDs).
Second, this album is unparalleled by any other ranchera album ever released in its perfect song selection, which favors literariness over potential for pop ranchera radio play; perfect singing; perfect instrumental performance; and cutting-edge production. Other singers such as Lola, Lucha, Jorge, Vicente, and so on have had their individual hit songs--originally released among disposable songs on 10-song albums intended as vehicles only for those individual hits--that are now gathered up in greatest hits discs; Mas Canciones is the only ranchera album ever released that is of a piece, with Gustito and Tata Dios delineating the extremes of contentment and tragedy, respectively, that define life.
Third, to say that this album is faulty simply because Linda Ronstadt was born in the U.S.A. is, like all racist acts involving claims of authenticity, unpardonable B.S. "Pretty good for an American?" Try "Among the best vocal performances of the last few years by any singer in the world."
Buy this C.D., and learn not only who is among the best living singers of ranchera or what is arguably the best ranchera album ever made, but also how racism and related claims of authenticity have as little application to music as they did to who was German during World War II.

Linda Ronstadt es la Reina: Linda Ronstadt is the Queen!! What a beautiful, incredible voice!! This follow-up to "Canciones de mi padre" is full of classic, traditional Mexican music. Her vocal line is solid and she showcases her musical and vocal prowess on such gorgeous pieces such as "Tata Dios" and "El crucifijo de piedra," two huapango jewels.

There are so many wonderful Mexican singers, however, after Lola Beltrán, no one comes close to Linda Ronstadt. She is one of the most versatile and magnificent singers of this generation!!!
¡Qué viva Linda!

Linda Ronstadt, has done it agian. Very good music you can join your friends around a fire and just enjoy her songs for hours.