Only They Could Have Made This Album [Original recording remastered]

Celia Cruz | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 1, 2006)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Fania
• ASIN: B000GI3R2O
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #313,571 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

CELIA CRUZ Celia Cruz had a brilliant and successful music career in her native Cuba, where her extraordinary vocal talent and enormous popularity earned her the nickname "The Guarechera of Cuba." Her transcendence, however, masked an even greater ambition upon her arrival to the United States. Beginning a new phase of her career, joining the Fania Family, and linking her name to the great artists of the label, she made her mark and earned herself a new title: "The Queen of Salsa." She was also known as the "Gran Señora" for her integrity, human condition, and solid morals. Her success took the form of 80 recordings that prove her magnetism, as well as her ability to communicate through music: a rhythm and sound that made its way to many generations who have given her their applause and gratitude during sold-out concerts in five continents. These would give her music a wide audience. Celia was not only known for her vocal prowess, but for her dramatic talents as well. She appeared in nine movies, including "Los reyes del mambo." She also appeared in the soap operas "Valentina" and "El alma no tiene color," both of which were filmed in Mexico. Celia left behind a rich musical legacy, and will always reign as "La Guarachera de Cuba," the "Gran Señora," and the undisputed "Queen of Salsa." CELIA CRUZ" Celia Cruz, con una brillante y exitosa carrera musical en su Cuba natal, donde por sus extraordinarias dotes interpretativas y gran popularidad se ganó el apelativo de "La Guarachera de Cuba". Pero su trascendencia le tenía reservada aún, una más ambiciosa proyección tras su llegada a Estados Unidos, e iniciar una nueva etapa en su carrera al integrarse y formar parte de la gran Familia Fania, y unir su nombre al de grandes figuras del sello con los que logró imponerse y afianzarse una vez más en el ámbito musical al extremo de ostentar un nuevo título: "Reina de la Salsa", sumado al que siempre la identificó como "Gran Señora", por su integridad, condición humana y sólidos principios. Sus éxitos se traducen en ochenta grabaciones editadas que dejaron constancia de su magnetismo, de su poder para comunicar y transmitir a través de la música, un ritmo y un sonido que ha trascendido a varias generaciones que la han respaldado con el aplauso y el reconocimiento en sus multitudinarios conciertos en los cinco continentes, que le dieran una más amplia proyección y divulgación de su música. Pero no solamente Celia se destacó como cantante, también puso a prueba su talento histriónico en el campo de la actuación como hubo de demostrarlo participando en nueve películas entre ellas: "Los reyes del mambo". En la televisión se destacó como intérprete en las telenovelas: "Valentina" y "El alma no tiene color" filmadas en México. Celia dejó un rico legado musical y reinará por siempre como "La Guarachera de Cuba", "Gran Señora" y "Reina" indiscutible de la Salsa. WILLIE COLON Like many of his boricua compatriots, Willie Colón was born and raised in the heart of the Latin neighborhood of the Bronx. It was this very neighborhood where he drank from the fountain of teen angst, sharing with his compatriots his sorrows and aspirations. This inspired in him a profound devotion to his cultural roots. Musician, composer, arranger, singer, producer, director, and community leader: Colón wore all of these hats, gaining recognition as both an artist and a human being. He started out in the music business at such a young age that his mother had to sign his first contract for him. Ever since then his career has covered all facets of music, as proven by his prolific discography, which boasts more than 30 million records sold. Such sales earned him countless gold and silver-selling albums, as well as several Grammy nominations. Colón is also known for his participation on albums with such names as Celia Cruz, Rubén Blades, Héctor Lavoe, and many others. Willie Colón, known for his excellence, and well aware of the power and influence he held over the mass media, established himself as a civil- and community-rights leader. For his contributions, he won recognition and awards, such as the plaque that bears his name on the Bronx's "Walk of Fame." It was this very city that was birthplace and home to many of his compatriots who came to the United States in search of a better future. WILLIE COLON

Como muchos de sus compatriotas boricuas, Willie Colón nació y creció en el corazón del barrio latino del Bronx, New York. El mismo barrio en el que bebió la savia más pura de sus inquietudes juveniles, compartiendo con los suyos quebrantos y aspiraciones que le inculcaron una profunda devoción por sus raíces culturales. Músico, compositor, arreglista, cantante, productor, director y líder comunitario, es la trayectoria que le ha dado reconocimiento como ser humano y artista. Se inició en la música a tan temprana edad que su madre tuvo que firmar su primer contrato por él. Desde entonces, su carrera siempre ascendente cubrió todas las facetas de la música, como consta su prolífica discografía, con un total de más de treinta millones de discos vendidos por los que se le han concedido infinidad de Discos de Oro y Platino, y varias nominaciones para optar por el codiciado premio Grammy. Se ha destacado también por colaborar en producciones con grandes nombres en el ámbito musical como: Celia Cruz, Rubén Blades, Héctor Lavoe, entre otros muchos. Willie Colón, solidario por excelencia y consciente del poder e influencia que ejerce en los medios de comunicación masiva, se ha erigido líder por los derechos civiles y comunitarios, por lo que ha recibido premios y reconocimientos como la placa que lleva su nombre instalada en el "Paseo de la Fama" en el Bronx. El mismo barrio, hogar y cuna de muchos de sus compatriotas llegados a estas tierras con la esperanza de un futuro mejor.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A memorable album, December 27, 2005

By 

Roberto Jimenez "El Salsero Mayor" (Tampa, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Only They Could Have Made This Album (Audio CD)

If you are a follower of Willie Colón, you know what he is capable of and how tight his band has always been. Now, add Celia Cruz to the equation; Cuba's greatest "sonera", and the results should be amazing.

Well, it happened in three ocassions(1977, 1981 and 1987). By far, the first effort ("Only they could have made this album") is the best example of what these two legends could accomplish together. Hardcore "salsa" numbers like "Usted abusó", "Zambullete", "Dulce habanera" and "Rinkinkalla", along with excellent songs like "Todos somos iguales" (listen to Willie, Milton and José on coros), "A papá" and "Burundanga" make this album a "must have" for any serious "salsa" fan.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of her Best, August 22, 2003

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Only They Could Have Made This Album (Audio CD)

I bought this recording years ago and then lost it. I had never been able to find it again for some reason. But of course Amazon had it. So I ordered it. This rocks. Not one bad song in the bunch. Celia, we will miss you. Only you could have made this music.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A toast to Cruz & Colon, April 8, 2009

By 

reading man - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Only They Could Have Made This Album (Audio CD)

Celia Cruz was the heart and soul of salsa. She stood above all. Trombonist Willie Colon was a foremost arranger and producer. Here he blends four horns, four percussions, guitar, piano, bass, and voices into textures of Afro-Latin rhythm and blues, pop, and jazz. She covers it with polish, charm and charisma. He creates mood and nuance. She personifies each with distinction.

The first three songs establish the session's framework. She opens in a medium tempo, then accelerates to warp speed, retaining sharp clarity, and eases into a slower pace to the warm accompaniment of guitar."Zambullete" starts casually, the queen taking command with her trademark shout, and driving hard to the finish over the relentless pulse of bass and rhythm ensemble. "Tu Y Las Nubes" follows, its mellow tone again lending effective contrast. Her exchanges with the chorus in "Pun Pun Cantalu" are playful. She is coy and provocative, fast and furious. Joy and fun abound. She imparts a serious message in "Todos Somos Iguales", where power lies in its restraint and simplicity. The romantic "Rinkinkalla" is sweet.

The lyrics are in Spanish; although I am not fluent, the message rang clearly. Two accomplished artists, at their best, gave us a gem.