Search - Lola Beltran :: Camden: Coleccion Del Siglo

Ranchera music royalty

Enrique Torres | San Diegotitlan, Califas | 10/09/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Take one of of Mexico's greatest composers of ranchera music, add the sultry voice of the late great Lola "La Grande" Beltran and you have an instant recipe for success. Besides the beautiful musical interpretations by one of the female giants of ranchera music, this disc features the Mariachi Vargas de Tecalititlan on every track! From all indications this disc was put together from songs she peformed during her prolific career rather than a rerelease? In any event it doesn't matter because the sound is super, her voice is fantastic since the original recordings must be from early on in her career. She was and is one of the best in her field of music. She carries her songs with strength and heart felt emotion in a genre dominated by men. She has recorded other Jose Alfredo Jimenez songs but the choice on this disc are perfect for her deep voice that resonates strong woman. Beginning with "Si Nos Dejan" Lola "La Grande" begins her seduction of the listener. She draws you in with her thick sound that takes off on wings of its own with her vibratto. By the second track "Dame un Poco de Ti" you know you are in for a great listening experience. She belts her songs out in a style that can only be rivaled by Amalia Mendoza or Lucha Villa; by comparison such Maria come lately's like Linda Ronstandt pale by Lola Beltran standards. The quality of musicianship is outstanding on each track as the music flows like Tecates in Mexican bars. The music featured is mostly of the tears in your beer variety but there are a few uptempo tracks like "Si Tu Tambien Te Vas" that makes you want to get up and dip and swirl about on the dance floor. "El Siete Mares" is another song that makes you want to move about. There are also some lovely boleros and all in all it is a good collection of songs. My only complaint is that there only twelve songs featured, usually of two to three minutes variety so I have to hit the play again button often. Check out the price, this is an unbelieveable bargain not to be missed. Lola La "Grande" Beltran could match or beat the best ranchero singers and this disc clearly proves she knew how to sing a Jose Alfredo Jimenez song. Great stuff by a super voice from Mexcio's past that is as contemporary now as then."