Al Maestro Lavoe - Manuel Ramirez

Advantages: artists in unfamiliar surroundings
Disadvantages: nothing

...It was in 1996. The maestro Pavarotti called and the artists came to Modena. There, the star-tenor arranged a concert for the benefit of his foundation 'Warchild', which takes care of children in war zones like Bosnia (in 1996). This CD is a coverage of the concert in Modena and the players list looks like a who is who of music: 1. Holy Mother (Eric Clapton, Luciano Pavarotti) 2. Saint Teresa (Joan Osborn) 3. I guess that's why they call it the Blues (Elton John) 4. New York, New York (Liza Minelli, Luciano Pavarotti) 5. My love (Zucchero) 6. Run, baby run (Sheryl Crow) 7. Certe notti (Ligabue, Luciano Pavarotti) 8. Angel (Jon Secada) 9. Ave Maria (The Kelly Family, Luciano Pavarotti) 10. Spirito (Litfiba) 11. Third degree (Eric Clapton) 12. La ci darem la mano (Sheryl Crow(!!!), Luciano Pavarotti) 13. Le ragazze fanno... Read review

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Advantages: Kasarova's personal touch. Virtuosic without showing off
Disadvantages: She doesn't keep singing forever

...This CD is a compilation of 10 operatic arias for the mezzo soprano voice. The line up ranges from the Baroque opening number to the Classical Mozart to the late Romantic Bel Canto Donizetti opera numbers. All are gloriously sung by the Bulgarian mezzo Vesselina Kasarova, and beautifully accompanied by maestro Friedrich Haider and the Munich Radio Orchestra/ Chorus of the Bavarian Radio. Vesselina Kasarova is known for her multi-coloured deep and melancholy voice (a very distinctly identifiable one at that!) and her interpretative intensity. Every note that she sings is a part of the story she is telling. Her florid coloratura (virtuoso decoration of the main melodic line) is legendary, and yet they are never gratuitous. This is a dream singer for anyone who likes drama and theatrically involved singing..... and she doesn't compromize... Read review

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Advantages: Amazing melodies and profound beautiful lyrics
Disadvantages: Absolutely none

.... ***************************************** It is very difficult to "judge" an album of this maestro, and indeed I will do no such thing. I will merely try to describe what I personally feel about his music, adding some information, only very little, as there is so much to say about this man. To fully appreciate Silvio's music, an understanding of Spanish is extremely useful, although certainly not a necessity; but his lyrics are as important as his music, if not more so. They are heart felt poems about various topics; love, life, personal reflections and injustice in the world. His is deeply and has always been deeply motivated by all the injustices going on in the world, including of course, the embargo on his native Cuba, where he has always resided and still does. In his latest album "Cita Con Angeles" (Rendez-vous with Angels), there is a song which carries the same title... Read review

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