Ricky Martin - Ricky Martin

Ricky Martin’s self-titled album was his first for the English-language market, and believe it or not, its appeal extends beyond screaming teenage girls!

I don’t know all that much about world music, but I do know what I like, and pulsating latin beats are most definitely my cup of tea – Evita and Kiss of the Spider Woman are two of my favourite musical scores, both having a distinct South American flavour. And Ricky Martin provides ...
...have thought these possible for Ricky Martin, but having also seen him perform the heart-rending Little Drop Of Rain from Les Mis, it no longer seems quite so incongruous. She’s All I Ever Had is a gorgeous song, plaintively regretful, and his duet with Madonna, Be Careful is also rather nice. But it’s the energy of the numbers like Cup of Life which make this album perfect for summer listening – a great accompaniment to a sizzling barbecue or for ... more

Ricky Martin’s self-titled album was his first for the English-language market, and believe it or not, its appeal extends beyond screaming teenage girls!

I don’t know all that much about world music, but I do know what I like, and pulsating latin beats are most definitely my cup of tea – Evita and Kiss of the Spider Woman are two of my favourite musical scores, both having a distinct South American flavour. And Ricky Martin provides some of the most fun Hispanic music around.

A few of the tracks on this album will be more than familiar to anyone who’s had access to a television or radio over the last couple of years. Livin’ La Vida Loca was a smash hit two summers ago and The Cup Of Life was associated with the football World Cup in France. Shake Your Bon Bon and Private Emotion (a duet with Meja) have also received a considerable amount of air-time. I should point out that there are a number of other tracks on the album, some of which are as good as, if not better, than the familiar songs – isn’t that always the way?

The majority of the songs on the album are written by Robi Rosa (working with a variety of other people) and are of a sufficiently varied nature to ensure that the album doesn’t outstay its welcome. It’s not all exuberance and energy familiar from La Vida Loca and Shake Your Bon Bon; there are some surprisingly tender tracks. I wouldn’t perhaps have thought these possible for Ricky Martin, but having also seen him perform the heart-rending Little Drop Of Rain from Les Mis, it no longer seems quite so incongruous. She’s All I Ever Had is a gorgeous song, plaintively regretful, and his duet with Madonna, Be Careful is also rather nice. But it’s the energy of the numbers like Cup of Life which make this album perfect for summer listening – a great accompaniment to a sizzling barbecue or for dancing the night away to.

There isn’t really a bad track on this album, and certainly nothing that becomes an automatic ‘skip’ track. And somewhat oddly, the tracks I find myself most looking forward to are those sung partly, if not wholly, in Spanish. It’s six years now since I last studied the language, but it’s a gorgeous tongue, and Ricky Martin is perhaps even more exuberant in this far more romantic language. A casual glance at the lyrics of the Spanish version of Livin’ La Vida Loca (all the lyrics are printed in the liner notes) reveals that the song is very different in what it actually says about the bewitching woman who can exert such a hold over ‘your’ life. The Spanglish (think Franglais but with Spanish) Radio Edit of Maria is rather fun, and the effect created when Rick and Madonna duet in alternating languages for ‘Be Careful (Cuidado Con Mi Corazon)’ is quite special. This and his duet with Meja are great tracks, displaying how well he can work with other people, and showcasing the talents of each artist. There’s only one track on the entire album that doesn’t get me singing in my head when I see the title of the song – Love You For A Day. It’s not particularly memorable, and is mainly of use as a song to be danced to if the mood should take you.

These are not hugely original or groundbreaking songs, but they are well-written and good fun, blending latin sensibilities with more commercial pop sounds. What is important is Ricky Martin’s sheer talent – he is an incredible performer who projects enthusiasm, energy and emotion. Of course, on disc you don’t get the benefit of his showmanship (than man can spin round better than anyone else I’ve ever seen!), but he does have a great voice even so.

The accompanying booklet is rather handsome, including full credits and lyrics for all of the tracks, though no translations for the Spanish numbers. [If you really must know what they say, then have some fun with Altavista’s Babelfish or some such translation tool.] It also includes various glossy photos of Ricky Martin in various poses, generally pensive, probably mainly for the benefit of those screaming teenagers I mentioned at the start of this opinion. Each of the photos has a random line or two from one the songs printed on it (though obviously not obscuring Ricky); I can see no rhyme or reason for the choice of these lyrics, but it’s a nice touch. The thanks section is quite fun, too, as, to be honest, it always is for me – what a disgrace… My favourite is ‘Madonna… You rock BIG BUTTERFLY’ – not the first description of Madonna I’d have come up with, but then I’ve never met her.

This is one of those albums which perennially comes up in sales and special deals in the record shops (you know, ‘Biggest Sale Ever’ – what, again? – or ‘two for twenty pounds’). It’s bound to be on special offer somewhere near you – go on, snap it up before the summer ends, you know you want
 

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