Susana Baca - Susana Baca

I'm a one trick pony as far as my style of reviews are concerned: it's all music and 1980s reminiscing with the occasional Weight Watcher product thrown in. But I'm always happy to try something new in the field of music, and I think I've just discovered the Peruvian Edith Piaf. No, come back.

WHO'S THIS THEN?
------------------------------
Dunno, really. A "friend" recommended this singer to me as an alternative ...
...Well it's certainly an alternative: it's the bloody polar opposite.

As far as I can tell, she's from Peru and certainly highly regarded in the Andean pan pipe republic. She's signed to a label called Luaka Bop which is actually run by former lead singer of the Talking Heads, David Byrne. Well, to link in nicely, I'm determined to see if my friend has lead me down a Road To Nowhere or whether this is a Once In A Lifetime opportunity. ... more

I'm a one trick pony as far as my style of reviews are concerned: it's all music and 1980s reminiscing with the occasional Weight Watcher product thrown in. But I'm always happy to try something new in the field of music, and I think I've just discovered the Peruvian Edith Piaf. No, come back.

WHO'S THIS THEN?
------------------------------
Dunno, really. A "friend" recommended this singer to me as an alternative to "all that rap and 80's stuff you listen to". Well it's certainly an alternative: it's the bloody polar opposite.

As far as I can tell, she's from Peru and certainly highly regarded in the Andean pan pipe republic. She's signed to a label called Luaka Bop which is actually run by former lead singer of the Talking Heads, David Byrne. Well, to link in nicely, I'm determined to see if my friend has lead me down a Road To Nowhere or whether this is a Once In A Lifetime opportunity. Ahem.....

THE TRACKS
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**1. Negra Presentuosa**
The first thing that hit's me on this track is that if this going to the theme for the whole album then I'm going to quite like it. Being from a Latin country, it's heavy in percussion and little else. No electronic beeps or noises or raucous guitars. The male backing singers t first remind me of the sort of trio you get serenading you on your birthday in a Greek taverna in Blackburn. A great little track.
Mark: 4/5

**2. Molina Molero**
AFter the shock of Baca singing in a different language, the next thing you notice is her voice. It's crystal clear and quite expressive. Again, percussion rules the roost and her voice surfs along on the slow pace quite nicely. Those waiters are back singing in the backgorund but less so this time. Light taps on a hand drum see the track out. Quite lovely.
Mark: 4/5

**3. Heces**
The first time on this CD that I've managed to draw my attention away from the strange instruments and traditional Peruvian arrangements and concentrate on her voice. It gets more mournful and coupled, as it is here, with just some coustic guitar, sounds truly special. Great track, if a little short.

**4. Tu Mirada Y Mi Voz**
This fourth track on the album continues the sombre pace and mellow feel. It's again accentuated by thumbed drumming and pick Latin guitar but this time Baca's balladry is supported by her amazing dialect. She rolls her R's and hisses her S's. Just a step away from being scary in a good way.
Mark: 3/5

**5. Zamba Malato**
This is the most daring track on the album so far. A bit faster than the previous tracks and you can see the change in Susana's voice. She's less whispery and maudlin and her voice shimmers with confidence and sheer joy as her backing singers join in singing the title track. Her accent and pronunciation remain both alien and captivating to me. A joy and one for my i-Pod (if I owned one).
Mark: 5/5

**6. Luna Lena**
Shit! Duck! It's a pan pipe intro. Luckily they disappear as quickly as they arrive becausethe track is largely acapella with a little bit of bass to add volume. Her voice goes back to being mournful but she hits some low notes quite impressively on this song. Near the end, some percussion rattles in and Baca goes from deep voiced chanteuse to some quite thrilling falsetto notes as she sings the title.
Mark: 3/5

**7. Caras Lindas**
Still slow-paced, I find that as the album goes on, the funeral theme continues and the tracks all become a bit samey. More plucked guitar and gentle percussion but you can't fault her voice. It's ace.

**8. Se Mi Van Los Pies**
This track is a breath of fresh air compared to the previous 7. It's vibrant and almost funky, in a Latin American kind of a way. It's not going to have BBC tripping over themselves to sign the rights so they can use it for their between-programmes interludes, but it's still a welcome change of scenery.

**9. Enciente Candela**
And so the revolution continues to gather pace. More uptempo madness, lots of R-rolling and thumping drums and percussion. Some nice guitar and, of course, Baca's vocals are clearer than your mother's freshly polished patio doors.

**10. Senor De Los Milagros**
It's incredible to believe that this album is less than 40 minutes long. It feels twice as long: but that's a compliment. The time has flown by we leave the album on a misery-guts note as Baca serenades a long, lost, lamented love.

OVERALL
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Call it samba, folk music, world music, whatever. This album makes a change from the usual verse/chorus/verse music that I listen to and I'm always willing to give something a listen once.

It's not going to win any new fans really. I have to point out that not a single plug was switched on for any of the instruments used on this album. Drums, percussion, guitar, voice, bass: all natural and organic. Also worth noting is that this music is timeless as it doesn't pander to any particular trend or musical fad.

So move over Frkurt and Mafarrimond - there's a new culture vulture on Ciao, lol! I just wish I could understand what the bloody hell she was on about!

Thanks for reading.

Wayne

 

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