What there is, is now this movie: El Cantante - theatrical release in the United States was the 03 August 2007. glossy, Hollywood, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony. The film is - that you can say now - totally flopped in part due to a lack of authenticity. But interesting is the music of this film: it is - and I find that very brave - not the original music of Hector Lavoe. All pieces in the film were re-recorded and sung by Marc Anthony, which is also in the film Hector Lavoe. And there also began the great lament: How can a salsa singer Hector Lavoe Romantica justice. As if the devil wants to personally preach in church. He (Marc Anthony) is lacking in "street" (or neudeutsch street cred) to such a thing to sing - so the unanimous accusation. Yes, what do you want? I ask ... a 100% copy of the original? Boring! And honestly: Which salsa DJ somewhere launched the original version of El Cantante Mi Gente or last year? So, I come around a lot and hear many colleagues at me. I have heard somewhere one of these two songs? I do not know .... can not remember ...
Marc Anthony interprets Lavoe songs on his way ... maybe with a sigh somewhere too much .... but it remains always himself. It is not a copy but the soundtrack is no flop (like the movie) .. . The soundtrack in my opinion is an enrichment. Especially with the orchestra and the arrangements!
Many perhaps did not know that Marc Anthony began his career in the late '80s salsa with Eddie Palmieri (before that, he has sung pop). In the title Parece Mentira (also known by Roberto Roena) hinted at that time already to what is a gifted singer Marc Anthony. His version of Parece Mentira's Salsa Dura at its finest. Even if he (successfully) off in rather shallow waters or salsa grew slid (depending on perspective). One must probably everyone recognize: he vote! And that he surrounds himself with good musicians, is also no secret. For example, Jimmy Bosch was for years his musical director. And I think Jimmy Bosch (currently Spanish Harlem Orchestra) has not done then in the 90s, because he was young and needed money :-)) ... when he was young, he trumpeted with Ray Barretto.
What the present Soundtrack (before) made me rather questionable, was the arranger Sergio George, who also plays the piano. The is actually noticed lately with more pop, overloaded arrangements. Luckily, he has this time a little withdrawn and showed real respect for the original material. The critic: But the little schmaltzy violins for example in the title song El Cantante? The answer: They were already so original in it - so please! First of listening to the originals! No, the arrangements are OK, very sophisticated and fully act on the amount of time without just overloaded. This CD was not in any backyard with muffled sound recorded (such as the 2nd from the SHO or the Pablo "Chino" Nunez), but it is mixed brilliant! The backing band makes a very very very good job. Feat - are but some of the former combatants of Hector Lavoe one of the party such as: Jose Mangual Jr., Milton Cardona or Yomo Toro. Also Tito Allen hears. At that time yet, but for me always a guarantee of good rhythm: the sympathetic Venezeolaner Luis Quintero it leaves on timbales here again at the right places crash - for example in Aguanile.
The tracks on the CD are picked well and wisely from the rich musical creativity - expected to outweigh the big hits that Hector Lavoe had recorded with his longtime friend Willie Colon. My favorites on the CD are the tracks where it really comes from: El Cantante - certainly well Mi Gente or Aguanile. Good Todo Tiene Su Final in Bongos - but then very much different in the singing. Pale, however, the trumpet (so easy you can not replace Willie Colon) and also the vocal use in El Dia De Suerte or Che Che Cole. Then, since I lack a little but the aggressiveness of the originals. Can really shine Marc Anthony then again in Qué Lio. He can lament all right :-) Whow! Here then is also true that fat trombone. The piece is already at its best ... though nothing for dancers (modern times).
Completely incomprehensible but for me: The last song is a ballad Schnulz of Jennifer Lopez and acts on the CD as a foreign body - had to be?
But again: I think the whole thing (movie and soundtrack) for good. Hardly a production of the past 10 years has had such an enormous and powerful advertising power in the background. Sure, it comes to commerce. But I see a positive side effect. El Cantante is - and I am sure - inspire many people for salsa that would otherwise never have found access! And El Cantante is certainly so many Salseras and / os that today turn on the dance floor and do not know the name of Hector Lavoe (because it should give some yes) close shed some salsa history. Maybe that would even have the right Cantante approved ...
Conclusion: Well-made Lavoe remakes with a mature Marc Anthony.
