Customer Reviews

Songs of Venezuela

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

 

 

This is a collection of Venezuelan folk tunes, interpreted by single voice and guitar (not the traditional formula). It is a fine sample of the Nueva Trova movement, which sought to revive folk traditions with new political and social statements. Bravo's voice changed dramatically in following albums; here the words just float from her mouth in a bright, sweet tone, with a gentility of diction that evokes instant nostalgia. This album is a great, accessible introdution to the wealth of Venezuelan music.

For those who don't speak Spanish, the first words sung on the album say "To sing makes sense... singing makes sense, has understanding and reason..." which although it loses something in the translation, tells the listener straight away that this is an album dedicated to Venezuelan song, from African derived work songs to folk tales, protest music and romantic and at times tragic poetry. Soledad Bravo pays tribute to the treasure trove of folk with her beautiful emotive voice which is variously angelic and earthy and her guitar, accompanied only occasionally by other folk instruments. Get it and track down the lyrics on the net if you're a non-Spanish speaker.

One of the reviewers below hits it right on the mark. The first song "Polo Margariteno" is so heartfelt, so overwhelming in its intensity that the rest of the CD (and 99% of any other music that you hear) could not possibly match it. It is that powerful. It is that joyous. Everytime I listen to it, I feel like weeping. That being said, there are plenty of other great songs on this CD, especially tracks 2, 9, 10, 17, and 19. Check it out. Everyone should hear "Polo Margariteno." It is one of the greatest songs ever recorded.

I was given a cassette tape recording of Solidad Bravo's "Songs of Venezuela" by a former spanish girlfriend back in 1986, and since then I have fallen in love with her music. Over a period of time the cassette
became warped, and I have been looking for it in several music shops in London, but could not find it until I came to know Amazon, and was able to have it new on compact disc. Thank you Amazon for helping my dream to come true, because at least..now I will have this music forever. When I received my CD the case was a bit cracked from transporting, but the disk inside was as immaculate as the music of Solidad Bravo. I am a satisfied customer.

Heard this music on KPFA in the car once and when I got home I immediately looked up their play list and ordered it. Not all the songs are as good as the first one, but this has become one of my favorite CDs very quickly.