Search - Maria Dolores Pradera :: As De Corazone

Maria Dolores - La Reina!

E. J. Larson | Valdez, AK United States | 12/01/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"María Dolores Pradera was an established actress before she began her singing career. That goes a long way toward explaining her unique and compelling way of "owning" the songs she sings. She is, first and foremost, a story-teller. Combine that with an absolutely perfect command of rhythm and tone and she transforms simple songs into three-minute plays.



She has to be heard to be appreciated, and it's best to play and replay her songs - they get better with repetition as you discover more and more depth in her seemingly-simple interpretations.



This is a good example of Pradera's singing for those not familiar with her art - it's an eclectic combination of rhythm and romantic songs she recorded in the summer of 1999 when she was 72 - but don't let the age fool you. She sounds just as she did in her 40's or 50's - meaning: superb. Her relaxed style doesn't need a lot of volume or sustained notes, so the years haven't hurt her performance at all noticeably.



Get this album and enjoy Pradera. You won't regret it."