Placido Domingo - 100 years of Mariachi

You learn something new every day.

I was given a boxed set of cds for Christmas and there just happened to be one Mariachi song by Placido Domingo on it. I was so besotted by it that I had to try and find out more about it. I am a Scottish person who does not understand any Spanish but this music is so catchy and lyrical that one can't help but enjoy it. The fact that Placido Domingo is doing the singing is just the icing on the cake. I will certainly be trying to filnd out more about it. Try it. You'll be just a smitten as I am. April 10, 2008

Domingo's Best Crossover

Plácido Domingo, a native Madrileño, spent many of his formative years in Mexico where, to judge from this spine-tingling selection of Mariachi songs, he absorbed some of the most vibrant aspects of its musical culture. Unlike many of his other crossover albums hampered by linguistic awkwardness, stylistic incoherence, or soupy easy listening arrangements, this compilation is a great accomplishment.

Here Mr. Domingo's burnished tenor voice brings a good dose of beauty and operatic ardor to songs which, be they about love-loss and the tequila that helps ease the pain, the glories of Jalisco, or more tender shades of love, allow the male voice to explore the depths of unbridled manliness. Mr. Dómingo might lack some of the cavalier charm of some Mariachi greats, but he more than makes up for this with a voice that very few of them could match in terms of focus and sheer size. Most importantly, few singers of any musical tradition can match the complex blend of vocal colors he brings to each song.

His voice is supported magnificently by famed producer Bebu Silvetti's orchestral arrangements which, though simple, succeed in making explicit the simmering energy pervading each selection. Only the lovely "Si nos dejan" verges on clichéd with its rather unimaginative generic "Latin-sounding" introduction which thankfully soon gives way to Dómingo's voice. Three classics, "La malagueña," "El jinete," and "Cuando sale la luna," stand out as particularly accomplished selections where voice and orchestra help paint a vivid portrait of brooding passion.

For those who are already familiar and appreciate the great Mariachi tradition, this disc is a must-have. For those who only know about Mariachi from Mexican restaurant kitsch, this disc will show you how it should really be done.
April 6, 2008

Retains a Mariachi flavor...

Sometimes, when "classical" musicians crossover into other genres, the results can be a mushy mess of delicate popular songs or folk songs being beat to death through a heavy-handed symphonic filter.

This Cd, however, is a happy exception. It is quite amazing how Placido with his Operatic style, retains a Mariachi flavor. Placido, is in fact, so smooth, that one is inclined to forget his Three Tenors status, and imagine him as rather a street Mariachi. Perhaps Placido's masterful technique comes from his experience as a conductor, as well as, a singer. October 5, 2007

Totally pleasing performance

As an admirer or Placido Domingo and a lover of Mariachi, this CD does not disappoint in any way. A beautiful performance. September 7, 2007

Placido Domingo and the Mariachis

This is a wonderful CD of Placido and the Mariachis.What voices.Its great June 8, 2007

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