Search - Gloria Estefan :: Amor Y Suerte (Spanish Love Songs)

Sets the Ideal Romantic Mood (For the Most Part)

Rudy Palma | NJ | 11/21/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Gloria Estefan is a true anomaly. She brought her successful "Live and Re-Wrapped" tour, her last grand-scale traveling concert, across our nation from the summer through the early fall, yet doubtless few are aware of "Amor y Suerte: Exitos Romanticos (Love and Luck: Romantic Hits)" a retrospective that chronicles her evolution recording in her native language of the past decade plus.



Selections included that stem from her record-breaking "Mi Tierra (My Homeland)," album are instant highlights. "Con Los Años Que Me Quedan (With The Years I Have Left), which she wrote with her husband Emilio, finds her smooth-as-silk vocals accented throughout by an enchanting Spanish guitar solo that is as heart-stirring as ever. The guitar playing is impressive likewise on "Hablas De Mi (You Talk About Me)," and "Mi Buen Amor (My Good Love)" remains an elegant performance ripe to play at weddings.



Two recent #1 hits on Spanish radio, "Hoy" and "Tu Fotografia," Gian Marco's Spanish interpretations of Estefan's own lyrics in "Wrapped" and "Your Picture," two magnificent tracks from 2003's criminally ignored "Unwrapped," are splendid inclusions. The former passionate and slow-burning and the latter melancholic with soaring vocals, it is easy to see why they put her on the top of the charts. However, it must be pointed out that "Tu Fotografia" is a cathartic reflection on the death of a loved one - hardly romantic subject matter.



Finding inclusion for the first time on an Estefan disc are duets with Jon Secada, and Alejandro Fernandez. Secada, who notably penned Estefan's 1992 smash "I See Your Smile," sounds excellent alongside his friend and contemporary on "Por Amor (For Love)," originally included on his 2002 album "Amanacer." "En El Jardin (In the Garden)," which stems from Fernandez's 1997 "Me Estoy Enamorando" album, is similarly rhythmic and vibrant. "No Pretendo (I Don't Try)," the Spanish interpretation of "Steal Your Heart," the arguable highlight of 1996's "Destiny" album, also makes its first album appearance. In addition, "Ay Ay Ay Amor," a rapturous newly recorded salsa number, concludes the disc with a loud bang.



Though a superb compilation, "Amor y Suerte" still falters. Notably, "Mas Alla (Beyond)," a yearning ballad she performed for the Pope from her 1995 "Abriendo Puertas (Opening Doors)" album, is missed. Also, "No Me Dejes De Querer (Don't Ever Stop Loving Me)," a massive hit from 2000's "Alma Caribeña (Caribbean Soul)" would have been more appropriate than "Por Un Beso (For a Kiss)" from the same album, where she bitterly condemns her former love for his betrayal. Likewise, the inclusion of the limited edition DVD is only validated by its salsa version of "Hoy" performed for AOL.



When all is said and done, however, a purchase of "Amor y Suerte" is a wise move if you're interested in having previously obscure material from Estefan on one disc along with hits and fine album tracks that, for the most part, set the ideal romantic mood.

"

Que sabroso!

Robert Rosario Jr. | So. California | 10/29/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Gloria Estefan can do no wrong. Though her popularity in the English market has been slipping as of late, her career as a Latin goddess has only increased since the hey-days of "Mi Tierra." Only a year after the release of her stunning album, "Unwrapped," Gloria releases a collection of her most beautiful ballads sung in her native tongue. Although "Amor Y Suerte" does not have the upbeat hits, it showcases the material that, in actuality, she is most famous and appreciated for. All of her #1 Latin ballads are featured here, including the timeless "Con Los Anos Que Me Quedan" and the haunting "No Pretendo." Simply said, Gloria Estefan is the master female balladeer in any language. Whether it be in English, Spanish or even Portuguese, Gloria can sing a love song unlike no other -- and this album proves that. What also makes this a worthy collection is the fact that it includes three non-album hits, a brand new song entitled "Ay, Ay, Ay Amor" (which is one of her best yet), and a DVD that features live performances from Sessions@AOL and last year's Vegas stint. Gloria's genuine voice is always candy to the ear; however, when you hear that distinct voice in her native language, it's like adding a dash of sizzling Expresso that warms the heart and stimulates the mind. This collection is yet another testament of how versatile and original Miss Estefan truly is. The Latin queen stikes gold yet again."

Estefan At Her Most Effective-Songs From A Cuban Heart

John B. Valeri | Portland, CT USA | 10/29/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After conquering mainstream America in the 1980's and early 1990's, Gloria Estefan returned to her Cuban roots with 1993's historic "Mi Tierra" album. Twelve # 1 Latin singles, three Grammy-award winning Spanish albums and a decade later, Estefan offers "Amor Y Suerte: Exitos Romanticos," a collection of her best-loved ballads. Included in this retrospective are seven chart-toppers, including the classic "Con Los Anos Que Me Quedan" and last year's Peruvian-influenced smash, "Hoy." Also found here are the non-Estefan album singles "No Pretendo," "En El Jardin" (w/ Alejandro Fernandez), and "Por Amor" (w/ Jon Secada), as well as "Ay, Ay, Ay Amor," the lone new song, which finds Estefan experimenting with Mexican sounds while giving her upper-register a workout. (This track alone makes the CD worth its price tag.) While mainstream success has been elusive of late, "Amor Y Suerte" showcases the artist at her most effective, solidifying her status as the voice of her people's generation. Spanish is truly the most romantic of languages, and nobody conveys that better than Gloria Estefan, who fully embraces her native-tongue to perform with a passion and assurance that is unparalleled in her contemporaries.



MIA: The beautiful "Mas Alla.""