Marc Anthony - Libre

There's a palpable sense of joy in Marc Anthony's voice. The salsa star and pop sensation may be slight in stature, but when he opens his mouth to sing, the sheer power and passion of his tenor grabs a hold of your heart and makes you sit up and pay attention. The king of contemporary salsa was born and raised in New York City, but as good as Anthony is in his native tongue, he is triumphant when he sings in Spanish. Like Youssou N'Dour, Celia Cruz, and other great voices, Anthony's intensity and purpose transcend language barriers: even if you don't understand his words, it's difficult not to feel what he is expressing. On his first salsa collection since 1997's potent Contra la Corriente (and his first CD since his 1999 self-titled, slightly watered-down pop smash) Marc Anthony allows the emotionality of the rhythm to take control. Backed by a topnotch band, Anthony's supple voice carries the beat along, and on tracks like the propulsive "De Que Depende" he soars. His joy and the joy of hearing a great singer are contagious. --Amy Linden Amazon.com

AN ABSOLUTE SALSA MASTERPIECE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THIS ALBUM IS MARC'S ABSOLUTE BEST. PERIOD. I HAVE ALL HIS ALBUMS,AND I LOVE THEM ALL BUT WOW!!!!!LIBRE IS JUST SO STUNNING AND BREATH TAKING!!!!AMAZING LYRICS, SUPERB MUSICAL ARRANGEMENTS, ALL TOP BY MARC'S GORGEOUS TENOR VOICE!!!I HAVE HEARD THIS CD OVER 1000 TIMES, AND EVERY TIME I HEAR IT, I JUST LOVE IT MORE AND MORE. EVERY TIME I HEAR IT, I FIND ANOTHER REASON WHY IT IS SO GOOD...THANKS MARC FOR THIS RECORD...IT HOLDS A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART AND IT ALWAYS WILL. June 16, 2008

Great upbeat latin music

I liked the variety of songs that Marc Anthony put on this CD. I enjoy listening to it, especially when driving. It gets me in a better and upbeat mood. January 20, 2007

Perfeccion!

This album is one of the finest I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. He is so clear and strong and he carries so much emotion and meaning in his voice that you don't need to understand the words to understand what the songs are about. It's a must have for anyone who enjoys salsa and for anyone who can appreciate powerful music. It's perfect! May 1, 2006

The best salsa

While in the past Marc Anthony has stuck with the safety of more conventional salsa sounds, Libre adds spice and variety while preserving the cultural significance of his music. Celos, Caminaré, and especially Hasta Que Vuelvas Conmigo make you go absolutely insane every time you listen; there's so much energy in the music. If you even remotely like salsa, Latin, or Marc Anthony, this is a must-have. February 26, 2005

Marc, you have never sounded sweeter!

Marc is definitely the salsa king of today. He is a beautiful, prolific singer and really captures the passion of the lyrics and mood of his songs.
Here are my critiques:
1. Celos--This song is so hot! What a great way to kick off the album. The salsa really keeps you moving, and Marc sounds like an angel. (5/5)
2. Este Loco Que Te Mira--Another great salsa tune. The arrangement on this song is gorgeous. (5/5)
3. Viviendo--Marc's voice sparkles with life and expression. (5/5)
4. Hasta Que Vuelvas Conmigo--If you haven't started dancing already, now would be the time! (5/5)
5. Barco A La Deriva--I love how this song starts off. There is a real indigenous sound--the panpipes make me think of Quechua music I studied in my ethnomusicology class. There is a great transition between the slow mood of this piece into the faster, more upbeat salsa rhythm that envelopes the second half of the song. (5/5)
6. De Que Depende--Back to salsa. Hot and full of life. (5/5)
7. Yo Te Quiero--I love you, too, Marc! (5/5)
8. Amor Aventurero--Marc is on fire with this piece. I just hope his passion doesn't boil over. (5/5)
9. Caminare--This beautiful ballad is filled with flavor. Even when Marc is a little more restrained and introspective, he still conveys the tenderness of his songs. That is definitely the case, here. (5/5) June 10, 2004

More reviews at Amazon.com ...