Search - Noel Estrada, Carlos Gardel, Chabuca Granda :: Sentimiento Latino

Unexpected and Old-Fashioned Latin Pop with a Gifted Florez

Ed Uyeshima | San Francisco, CA USA | 05/24/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a splendid recording that represents blessed synchronicity between voice and material. The singer is Peruvian tenor Juan Diego Florez, and the repertoire here consists of popular early-to-mid-20th century Latin American and Spanish songs. Barely in his thirties, he produces a sweet, warm sound that combines effortlessly with a youthful vigor. Florez can also conquer impressive coloratura passages with superb breath control. All these attributes have served him well in bel canto roles, and now he uses the same technique in these romantic ballads and ranchero songs.



Pedro Elias Gutierrez's "Alma llanera" opens the disc with a flavorful, syncopated arrangement that would not sound out of place at the Tropicana nightclub in Havana, while the melancholy mariachi-style horns of Jose Alfredo Jimenez's "Ella" provides a nice Mexican atmosphere. There is a trio of songs by Maria Isabel Granda Larco from his native Peru all arranged impeccably by the singer himself - the openly romantic "La flor de la canela", the more somber "Bello durmiente" and best of all, the intimate-sounding "Fina estampa" with impressive fretwork by David Galvez. Florez dares to tackle the warhorses that are Agustin Lara's "Granada" and Ernesto Lecouna's "Siboney", and while he puts out the necessary stops, the songs are a bit too familiar to have full dramatic impact. The arrangement on "Siboney" especially gets a bit too bombastic with syrupy strings and pounding jungle drums.



Better are the decidedly old-fashioned "Princesita" with Daniel Binelli's tango-infused bandoneon (an accordion-like instrument) and Maria Grever's "Jurame", which sounds almost like a Mario Lanza operetta-style number from an MGM musical. My personal favorites come near the end of the recording - the tropically tinged ballad, Nilo Menendez and Adolfo Utrera's "Acquellos ojos verdes" and Chuco Monge's "Mexico lindo" with its dramatic tempo changes. With his stunning voice, Florez has such an affinity for this music that it is easy to overlook some of the overdone arrangements. This is a solid example of how a crossover recording can be done with the right blend of talent and music regardless of what genre we expect from a prodigious singer."

The best tenor performing the most beautiful hispanic music

Ricardo J. Villarreal | Oceanside, CA | 04/14/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first saw Juan Diego Florez at the New York Metropolitan Opera performing the role of Count Almaviva in Rossini's "Barber of Seville". His powerful voice was very elegant and clean. He is a master of Bel Canto operas and arias; one of a kind.



Saying that, it is always risky for a tenor to leave the classical stage and attempt to record popular folk music because the reaction of the public is always varied. When Placido Domingo recorded "100 years of Mariachi" many liked it, but not everyone.



With "Sentimiento Latino" Juan Diego does a tremendous singing job. First of all, the music selection is a great tribute to Hispanic music inspired from the classic boleros, rancheras, tangos, etc. From "Ella" by Jose Alfredo Jimenez, "El dia que me quieras" by Carlos Gardel, "Granada" by Agustin Lara, and "Alma Llanera" by Pedro Elias Gutierrez, among others, this CD offers a fantastic repertoire.



From his native Peru he included "La Flor de la Canela" and "Fina Estampa"



When he reaches "Jurame" by Maria Grever he confirms his greatness as a tenor easily reaching high notes and always full of that "Sentimiento Latino".



Finishing with "Mexico Lindo y Querido", it could be hard to compare to Jorge Negrete but he does a superb job. The orchestra and mariachi arrangements are top class. This CD could easily become one of your favorites."