Customer Reviews

Nonantzin

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What a great way to be acquainted with Central American poetry - and excellent universal poetry as well! The poems set to beautiful music make this CD quite an enriching experience! The included CD booklet in bilingual format is a poetry anthology on its own right.

Nicaragua es un país pequeño, pero su poesía es muy importante. Este disco de Yolanda Blanco pone la poesía nicaragüense al alcance de mucha gente que de otra forma nunca se acercaría a la poesía. O sea, este disco difunde la poesía nicaragüense. Hay una cosa aún más importante en este primer trabajo musical de Yolanda: el regalo que ella nos entrega no es sólo poesía de primer orden; tampoco es poesía cantada. Son poemas hechos canciones. Canciones para cantar y bailar, canciones para meditar, canciones para soñar.

This CD serves several puposes simulataneouly, it tames and soothes the savage beast while showing us humanity in all it's forms, both ugly and beautiful. Yolanda Blanco's first effort is a solid release that proudly displays her Nicaraguan heritage via the words of it's countries most renowned poets. Conceptually it is an interesting concept, putting poetry to music. Yolanda Blanco, herself a published poet, shares the colective spirit of her people in a most tranquil and soothing voice. The simplicity of the lyrics is anything but as the message is often profound. Sometimes the poems are so short that the chorus is repeated several times to accentuate the point of the poem. The themes, although often nationalistic, go beyond boundaries with their universal appeal. Yolanda's voice is soothing, with her tenderness, hush tones that are almost soft whispers, breathless vocals that are both sensuous and intriguing. The poetry is a perfect vechicle for a glimpse into her artistic soul. Get to know Yolanda Blanco, she has much to share with you. The CD has a "cleansing" quality to it considering the turmoil that the country been through. There is one poem by Yolanda, "Veni, luvia, venite" that has a nature theme to it that is more upbeat, sharing more of her presence with the accompanying musicians. The songs I like best are those where this technique is employed, the interplay and musicianship adds color to the palette. The jazzy sax and ethnic flute employed on some tracks are a nice addition to the minimilist guitar work featured on most songs. My favorites are the lost love songs "Cuando los dorados corteses florecieron" and "Al perder yo a ti" the celebration of life tune "Pequeno canto para bien parir," the exquisitly somber reflexion on love "La bala," and the beautiful homage to Nicaragua "Nina cortada de un arbol." This is reflective music, poetry put to music that requires careful listening to hear and see the experiences of the Nicaraguan people. Yolanda Blanco has assembled a cast of poets works that deserve world wide listening, her country has endured many hardships and the inherent beauty survives. The CD has a folkloric quality that blends and weaves the colors of her country, proudly painting a picture for all to enjoy. The accompanying booklet is a gem, a bilingual text with short biographies on each featured poet which stimulates one to further research on those that appeal most to one's tastes. Recommended for sensitive souls whose visions transend borders, love and beauty know no limits.