Search - Fortuna :: La Prima Vez

Expanding Star, Archaeology Latino

Dena Ivins | Atlanta, GA USA | 07/17/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Admittedly, my startled Spring 2006 discovery of Fortuna in a single song on a Putumayo CD has taken me on a circuitous course in the appreciation of her CDs, but now having come to La Prima Vez I see the early singer at her sweetest--a younger woman of pure voice as yet unevolved by the many performances, techniques, and acclaim that would mark future growth. Simple, sure, calm come the songs in a slow beauty heightened by Celtic harp accompaniment, her accomplished guitarists, piano, keyboard, and other hallmark instruments. Delicate and definite is this Fortuna, as light as the flute and recorder you hear here. La Prima Vez is exactly as described in the liner notes--feeling and rhythm and soul. You will be moved and you will move in time with its 21 songs of Spanish, Moorish, Jewish derivation. The lyrics, translated, probably strike me the most. Uncomplicated, honest observations and sentiments honor human life, yearnings, and love of God. Oh that we, too, might pause in our hectic, harried days to listen closely here to the essence of being."