Search - Carlos Vives :: Rock De Mi Pueblo

A pure example of Contemporary Colombian Folklore

Victor Andres | Palm Bay, Florida USA | 12/24/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This awesome album purely reflects the evolution of Colombian music.

I consider Carlos Vives an ambassador of Contemporary Colombian Folkloric music, and even though many people have been disappointed with this new album, because its too poppy and/or too rock oriented; I will say to you, as a Colombian musician, performer of Jazz and Colombian Folklore, that this album still preserves the same Colombian features as the other passed albums. This is just a much modern concept of Colombian music; and if you really pay attention to what's going on in the music, you will see that every single song has a pure Colombian taste. Yes... OK!!! maybe the traditional instrumentation is not too strong and its covered by all the guitars, drums and keyboards. But, what is really interesting though, is that this traditional sound is being kept within the electric guitars and drums, and all this modern stuff.(I might be getting a little technical here, but bare with me), if you listen closely to what every musician in the band is doing, (which by the way I think they're phenomenal and extremely talented), you will see that the essence of the music is the same. For instance, if you listen to some of the guitar solos, like "gallito de caramelo" the phrases and melodic lines of it are purely vallenato and afro-Colombian, and so with many other aspects, like the drummer playing some of the licks as if he was a caja vallenata player(caja vallenata is a special Colombian drum used to play Vallenato music)or the harmonizations used in the choruses and verses of the songs; they are purely afro-Colombian sounding.

I really don't think that this album is rock with some Colombian sound to it, I think what Carlos Vives did, was going one step further from where he was before, going into a more contemporary aproach without changing anything from the traditional folklore sound. He kept his roots all the way, even if its not so obvious at first.

I highly recomend this album to everybody, specially to those who are involved with Colombian music.

Carlos Vives and his band La Provincia have done a tremendous job bringing this music to another level and to another musical perspective...

Truly... a Colombian pride...



"

The concert is great too!

H. Mortensen | Panama City, Panama | 10/07/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I live in Panama and two nights ago had the great pleasure of going to Carlos Vives' concert, on his "Rock de mi Pueblo" tour. If you have a chance to catch part of this tour, do so. His live act is marvelous, a great way to see him and all of his talented musicians in action. His love for Colombia and attachment to his musical roots are still strong and come across in every piece. This collection is not as traditional-sounding as his previous ones, but he's stretching and trying out new stuff, always with great musical talent and creativity. I just hope he doesn't stray too far from Colombia's beloved vallenato style and lose it in the process. I lived in Colombia in the 1990's, when his career was taking off, and to me, Carlos Vives IS Colombia. I hear him and I'm transported back to this most beautiful but badly maligned country. Que viva por siempre el amor de mi tierra!"

The definition of Colombia and its evolution

Chris M | Washington, DC | 01/07/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I heard Carlos Vives for the first time when I was travelling in Colombia (for the first time) for Christmas of 1993. At that time, "Clasicos de la Provincia" had just been released in Colombia, and although at that young age of 22 I was a big fan of salsa and merengue music (and could dance it) I had never heard anything like vallenato music. Throughout my month long trip, I listened to that album over and over again (luckily I can speak Spanish) and fell in love with both the album and the country. Because of this, Carlos Vives' music for me signifies what Colombia itself is. And it continues to do this. True, his music has evolved since then, but so has the country itself. Times do change and music is never stagnant. However, his newest album does not seem to be any big departure from his former albums. While Clasicos and Tengo Fe were more attuned to a traditional vallenato sound, as early as La Tierra del Olvido, Carlos Vives was making these blended types of sounds - his traditional music mixed with some pop and rock. Let's not forget that he was a rock/pop musician BEFORE he did Clasicos de la Provincia and his earlier La Escalona. Rock de Mi Pueblo has some wonderful sounds, and yes a few songs may not be to someone's liking, but in the end Carlos is continuing to speak for a nation, something he does very well. If you are a fan of his music, you should get this album.... it's like being transported to Colombia in a big festive chiva. Que chimba !!"