Customer Reviews

Tiempos

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He escuchado a Rubén Blades por mas de 25 años y tengo la gran mayoria de sus albums. Este es el mejor trabajo de el mejor cantautor hispanoamericano de nuestra generación. Soy dueño de más de 800 CD's, cassettes y LP's de vinil de todos géneros musicales y esta es una de las mejores obras musicales que jamás halla comprado. Este obra de arte enaltece el pasado, da fé en el presente y esperanza en el futuro. Editus se ha compenetrado con Rubén para crear su obra maestra. Una vez lo compré no escuché nada más por 3 semanas. Gracias Rubén por devolverme la fé...una vez más.

I have listened to Rubén Blades for 25 years now and have most of his albums. This is the best work of the best author-singer in Latin America. I also own over 800 C'D's, cassettes and vynil records of all genres, and this is one of the best works that I own. This album celebrates the past, brightens the present and gives you hope for the future. Editus is an extremely talented group that has blended with this artist to create a masterpiece. I bought the album, listened to it once, and could not believe my ears, so I listened to it again. Then I did not listen to anything else for about three weeks. Thank you Rubén for giving me faith. . .one more time.

When I first heard this album I thought "Oh no, what has happened to Ruben Blades!" However, within the next week I had the pleasure of seeing him in concert in Santa Fe and Albuquerque New Mexico and I was awed by his exquisite performance and by the performance of EDITUS, his fabulous musicians from Costa Rica. Now I listen to the CD almost every day and I have learned to appreciate it in its fullest. It is a marvelous mix of beautiful melancholic music and a portrayal of Ruben's life - from memories of his abuelita, some social commentary, and recent heartbreak, to his acceptance of life, and to death as it will eventually come (muy desafortunadamente). I ADORE Ruben Blades, his music, his movies, his person - I urge everyone to listen to this CD and to learn to appreciate the beautiful complexity of its music and lyrics. I can't wait to see what Sr. Blades will come up with next. To EDITUS - I want to extend my fullest appreciation of your musical talent. TODOS USTEDES FUERON INCREIBLES. Amazon - please sell EDITUS CD's on line. I've been trying to find them to no avail. A Ruben - gracias por habernos dado tu musica tan especial y tan hermosa y por haber autografado mi cubierta de CD de Tiempos en Albuquerque en el El Rey. Es un tesoro que guardare por siempre. Por favor, regrese a Nuevo Mexico porque aqui queremos verte cantar en vivo cada ano si fuera posible. Mis agradecimientos para todas tus esfuerzas en la vida y para habernos dado tu musica inolvidable. Tu eres, sin duda, el rey de la musica latina. Felicitaciones para esta obra incomparable!

This album is not easy to listen to. And it was in any case not intended to be that way, according to R. Blades himself. But that is just fine because it has the quality of making the listener "work his/her way" to it. Once you made it, it is really hard to let go and the appreciation for it is even bigger. I was listening to this CD and ONLY this CD for about 3 weeks. It wouldn't "wear out". Although some songs at first hear might sound similar to each other, there is definetely more behind them. Just take the time. I don't want to fall into comments full of Idol worshiping here, but it is great to know that there still are such musicians (or simply such people) around.

I've been a Ruben fan for many, many years, but this CD has floored me! The new musicians, Editus, are not necessarily an improvement...it would be difficult to improve on Oscar Hernandez, Robby Amin and company, but they lend a completely new sound to Ruben's vocals. "Dia a Dia" is one of the most beautiful songs I've heard in a very long time, but it's only icing on the cake for a diverse, intelligent, romantic collection of songs. AND THE LINER NOTES AND LYRICS ARE IN ESPANOL! It's about time! Ruben, you're the best!

Hace un año sufrí la muerte de un hermano que siempre fue un gran fanático de Rubén y que me introdujo en el fantástico mundo de su música. Nunca pensé que sería posible para Rubén componer algo más inspirado y profundo que las canciones de "Amor y Control", especialmente los cantos alrededor de la muerte de su madre, y las cuales llevo grabadas en la mente y el corazón desde la muerte de la mía en el '94. Sin embargo, TIEMPOS presenta un nivel de creatividad e inspiración similar o mayor que aquel. Hay en él nuevos ritmos y sonoridades (mar del sur, viento y madera), mensajes sociales (sicarios -los retoños de Pedro Navaja-, 20 de diciembre) e introspectivos (vida), además de fuertes elementos de un amor extinguido que me arrancan lágrimas al pensar en la familia de mi hermano (día a día, tú y mi ciudad). Finalmente, también estoy maravillado por la inclusión de músicos costarricenses (Editus y Jazz Latino) que le aportaron una nueva dimensión a esta obra maestra, y agradecido con vos Rubén por deleitarnos con tu siempre excelente música (y por el fantástico concierto que dieron en Costa Rica...Erick desde el cielo no dejó de bailar! ). No dejen de tenerlo en su colección y no se pierdan su concierto si tienen la oportunidad...

I heard a lot of really great music in 1999, but this was the best new music I heard last year. I find this album mesmerizing.

When I just happened upon Mr. Blades' and Editus' performance on Sessions at West 54th, I couldn't pull myself away from the TV - I literally stood in front of the screen for 40 minutes. After I bought the CD, it was the only music I played for a month. I hummed it while I should have been sleeping, and played it while I should have been working. I thought I was going crazy - I just couldn't stop listening to it.

And I can't really explain why it's had such a profound effect on me. There's just something about the rhythms, words, and mood of the album - which is, at once, melancholy and hopeful - that have spoken to me on a very profound, almost spiritual, level.

I'm so pleased to see that I'm not alone in feeling so strongly about this phenomenal album. Mr. Blades deserved to win a Grammy for it; I hope that it's his best selling album ever.

By accident I saw Ruben Blades perform for the first time on a PBS television show called "Sessions on West 54th". Immediately after the show I ordered his latest CD "Tiempos". Though I can barely speak ten words of spanish, I believe this CD will both amaze and entrance you by the beauty and complexity of every track. The supporting musicians who call themselves "Editus" are also incredible and could one day become bigger than the Gypsy Kings! I'm sorry Mr. Blades didn't win the election for the Presidency of Panama, but his political loss is our musical gain. Thank you Senor Blades for an unbelivable work of art!!!

If you are looking for the young, get-up-and-dance, racous, tongue-on-your cheek Ruben Blades, you will be better off purchasing one of his earlier releases. If you search, however, for the mature Ruben, the one that still loves his native Panama and his Continent but who is now willing to be more creative with the combination of sounds, you must buy "Tiempos" today!

Since every cut of this album has its own personality, I believe that the best achievement of Ruben and his team has been to keep it all together, with a sense of unity.

The opening track "Mar del Sur" (refering to the Pacific Ocean) sets the mood. Without words it "talks" about struggles, love, adventure, humidity.

On the other hand you may be, as I was, initially shocked by his observations on the realities and violence of urban life and drug-dealership on "Sicarios". After a while, though, you will come to realize that he is only telling it like it is - and he is using a magnificent arrangement at it!

Partly responsible for the special sound of "Tiempos" is the Costa-Rican group, EDITUS, which gives Ruben's music and words a profound soulfulness and provide it with the different kind of sound that most people forget when they talk about Latin music.

"Tiempos" will speak to your heart, make you think, get you angry, and help you remember loved ones who are no longer with you.

It is so rewarding to see an artist remain active in the spotlight and still be honest and reflective with his music that I am compelled to call "Tiempos" the "best album" from Ruben Blades ever. However, I know that when it comes to Ruben we may as well be saying the exact same thing after he releases his next production. I can't wait!

When I first saw this in the store, I snatched it up and listened intently, as I do all of Ruben's recordings. It was so different, I was dissapointed at first. I listened a few more times and set it aside returning to what I knew well. I had the opportunity to see Ruben and Editus in concert in San Diego last June. I was so emotionally moved. The violin can be a haunting sound. Even if some of this new music reminds some of 'new age' the power of it cannot be denied. We all evolve as we grow older and the events in our lives sometimes change us forever. It seems that is what has occured on this album for Ruben and the rest of us. Since that concert, I listen to Tiempos daily. I still hear it anew almost every time. I look forward to Mr Blades next music, what ever it is. Gracias hermano.

Naci en el año 72. Oigo la musica de Ruben Blades desde que tengo uso de razon. Ruben es esa persona que con su prosa y sus sentimientos dice cosas que todos hemos pensado alguna vez. Para mi es el mejor exponente de la musica latinoamericana de todos los tiempos,y por la eternidad. Es importante resaltar que la musica de Ruben, nos inspira a crecer y no olvidar lo que somos. No me voy a olvidar jamas lo que dijo en un concierto en el Poliedro de Caracas (Venezuela)"...fracaso es no tratar." Una frase inteligente de alguien brillante. La persona que no haya escuchado su nusica, hagalo, reflexione sobre la letra de la cancion, disfrute la prosa de un gran poeta, sienta la melodia y armonia de un gran musico y compositor y luego baile. Vera que es una de las mejores sensaciones que puede disfrutar un ser humano; y todo eso gracias a Ruben Blades. Reben en Venezuela te queremos y admiramos mucho! Delia Salazar