Search - Churumbeles De Espana :: Exitos De Oro

Spanish Songs from Spain

Enrique Torres | San Diegotitlan, Califas | 05/25/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is like a fine bottle of Riojo wine that may have been collecting dust in your closet. After you open it you'll be pleased at your discovery. This is a collection of songs from one of the most popular groups to come out of Spain in the 50's. Although before my time, the music is timeless. I rediscovered this group about 15 years ago on vynl, much to my delight. Apparently it was in my subconcious or genetic make up as my parents liked them during their heyday. These guys are amazing, the vocals immpecable and the band superb. The music sounds as if it comes from a different era but it is classic stuff. Juan Legido is the lead vocalist and he sings with a classic Spanish lisp as only a Spaniard can. The orchestral backup music is superb. At times the group sounds like the bands that play at bullfights with plenty of brass. The music has a feel good quality from a bygone era that is nostalgic. It is just really good music that happens to be fifty years old! The songs run the gamit of themes from love to heartbreak, to songs about beautiful places, to colorful characters to just classical music. This CD reissue of tunes is a bargain as there are 30 songs on two discs! Some of the songs have a North African flair with woodwinds sounding very Moorish as in "El Berebito". There are even references to a "mustafa" who is pursuing a "flamenca". "La Madre Del Cordero" is pure instrumental bliss which hinges on the fringe of clasical music with violins and crescendos. "Las Bodas De Luis Alonso" is a real classic, it stays true to the original nature of this Spanish song. " El Beso" is wonderful song exploring the various types of kisses including "el beso de amor" which the Spanish woman posses and gives only to someone she loves. The kiss is explored on another track that is instrumental, relies heavily on piano entitled"La Leyenda Del Beso". When you here this song you might expect a Spanish king to be exiting from a horse carriage in pursuit of his lover. "El Gitano Senoron" is a celebration of being a true Spaniard and the pride and passion of being a macho. This a a superb introduction to this group which produced some of the greatest Spanish songs of its era. This is roots music from the mother country of all Spanish speaking countries and its people. There are other compilations of this groups music but this is a good place to start as there are many repeats on the other editions. Take a trip with this CD, you'll feel as though you're along the streets of Madrid or Sevilla, having Riojo at a streetside cafe."