Customer Reviews

Women of the World: Acoustic

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4 star:		(2)
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Putumayo World Music is talented in discovering unique international music. Putumayo has made music fit for exotic imports stores redolent with the scent of patchouli. However, in this latest release, Putumayo goes more mainstream; in fact, PEOPLE magazine had "Women of the World:Acoustic" in their Mother's Day Gift Guide.

"Women of the World:Acoustic" is music more appropriate for a smooth jazz/soft rock/easy listening station than as an exotic acoustic travelogue. It's neither a great nor terrible compilation;it's better as background music. The Cape Verdean singer Lura, the Brazilian Luca Mundaca, the Czech-now-Latin American Maria Topferova, the Greek Anastasia Moustatsou, the Prairie Home Companion stars Wailin' Jennys, and the languid, Isabel Allende-inspired Marta Gomez have the few distinctive highlights. Unfortunately, Asia and Oceania are not represented. There aren't instrumentals from sitarist heiress Anoushka Shankar or alt.country banjo player Alison Brown. The French actress Sandrine Kiberlain&Emiliana Torrini (she of the overrated "Gollum's Song" from "Two Towers") have sappy,grating songs.

"Women of the World:Acoustic" is world music with a mainstream, unchallenging feminine touch. While some of the artists are worth further exploration, the compilation is dull mainstream worldbeat.

Featuring female artists from around the globe, this album contains many styles of music but unites them under the simplicity of the acoustic sound. It's a gentle and subtle album. There's a good flow between tracks, and the album doesn't suffer from the sense of "jumpiness" between musical styles that's all too common on world music albums.

I enjoyed most all of the songs on this album. Sandrine Kiberlain's sultry melody in "M'envoyer des Fleurs" is lovely. I was also impressed by the vocal subtlety and genuineness of "Sunnyroad" by Icelandic artist Emiliana Torrini (most known in the states for "Gollum's Song," appearing on the Lord of the Rings soundtrack). The gentle harmonies of "Paula Ausente" by Colombian artist Marta Gomez were also wonderful.

While I enjoyed most of the tracks on this album, the closing song -- "One Voice" by the Wailin' Jennys -- simply blew me away. The harmonies and vocal blend of this Canadian group are absolutely stunning. I was first introduced to the group by this CD, but have since come to love their other work -- particularly their album Firecracker.

I love this CD. I listen to a lot of jazz, but was still drawn to this for the acoustic, international element. It's great!

I got this one for Christmas, and had never heard it until I unwrapped it and loaded it onto my PC and iPod. But of course Putumayo didn't disappoint me -- do they ever? This is yet another terrific compilation of music, presented by the masters of such compilations.

I can't even pick out one song that I'm iffy on, or don't like. They are all terrific, all different, all wonderful. I will be looking for more music by many of these terrific women.

It's a relaxing vacation in a CD. I highly recommend this music CD for yourself or as a gift. I've already given this CD to several of my girlfriends and sisters, and all of them say they play it over and over. If you're wondering which Putumayo CD to purchase, this is a great one to start your collection.

My seniors are traveling the world through literature in my Global Perspectives on Women class. This CD is perfect to help set the mood and inspire writing as we engage new cultures and experience the lives of others.

If you are looking for a beautiful compilation of songs from a cross-section of female musicians, you need to make PUTUMAYO PRESENTS WOMEN OF THE WORLD part of your musical library. Though, these women come from diverse backgrounds, they are all united by the universal language of music. The album starts out off on a melodious and understated note with "M'envoyer des Fleurs" (I Send Myself Flowers) sung by French vocalist Sandrine Kiberlain, followed by "Grano de Arena" (Grain of Sand) sung by Marta Topferova, who was originally from Czech Republic but became enthralled with the music of Latin America, when her parents relocated to New York. That passion for Latin American music resonates in this gorgeous piece, with Topferova accompanying herself on the cuatro, a small Venezuelan guiter. Marta's smoky vocals really compliment this deceptively subtle piece. It only gets better from here. Whether it's stirring solos from Cape Verdean artist Lura or a stirring piece performed by Canadian trio The Wailing Jennys, this album has something for everyone! This is really worth listening to (again and again).

This CD is a great mix of music from different countries. It serves as good background music!

CD is peaceful and relaxing...I play it at naptime in my classroom!Kids relax and I can get work done.

I just love a good bassanova- this album delivers a great cross section of latin jazz.