Search - Enrico Macias :: Oranges Ameres

Evolution of the artist.

michael tillman | Dallas TX | 09/29/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm surprised to see no one has written a review of this disc yet. Perhaps I'm lucky to have found it when I went to my local Border's, a rejected order? This is a wonderful cd; I have two of his earlier recordings, one from the 60's and one from the 70's. Also, on these early recordings, you can hear hints of the rhythmic base the Gipsy Kings would later make famous. Of course there is more production here on the new disc, I find myself liking the earlier recordings more for their warm and almost live feel, as if he's there with you, playing his guitar. However, for being able to just sit and listen with a candle and a loved one, this cd is superb. I can't tell you about the songs or their meanings, other than Enrico is an Algerian Jew who lived in Paris in exile for many years, so his music is mostly all in French, but all the rhythms are Latin and Middle Eastern, turning his style into a unique treasure. I don't speak French, I'm a guitar player who loves international music. From a musical and enjoyability standpoint, I have few cds in my collection as good as this; all the songs are vastly different rhythmically, but they all have his warm voice and his signature guitar playing."