Search - Mercedes Sosa :: Cantata Sudamericana

Catherine M. from JAMAICA PLAIN, MA
Reviewed on 7/6/2009...

I have about 10 Mercedes Sosa CDs. She tends to repeat herself somewhat from one CD to another - but each CD has songs you won't find elsewhere. This is one of my two favorites of her CDs - it has some terrific songs. There are 8 tracks. Among my favorites: "Sudamericano en Nueva York" and a particularly haunting piece that incorporates indigenous sounds "Antiguos duenos de las flechas." The CD title is appropriate - many tracks celebrate South America.

Latin America for all

Enrique Torres | San Diegotitlan, Califas | 01/15/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Well, long before political correctness and the plethora of female artists there was Mercedes Sosa. She is the perrrenial female artist who sings of Latin America as one.This particular disc is a nice showcase of her extensive vocal talents. Like a wailing Indian voice in the wilderness, Mercedes Sosa laments and sings songs of joy and hope. Her music is filled with a vision of common causes throughout Latin America. Listening carefully to this disc you can hear the echoes and roots of such diverse contemporary female artists as Lila Downs and Alejandra Guzman. Sosa projects the voice of the indigeneous population of America without borders. Her universal appeal has made her legendary to indigenous populations throughout Latin America.This is a beautiful conceptual disc, a classic piece of music that celebrates the common ethnic and spiritual characteristics of South America. The Argentine composers of the music Ariel Ramirez( who also plays piano and clavecin on the disc) and Felix Luna studied extensively to create these authentic manifestations of ancient cultures. On "Oracion al Sol" (Prayer to the Sun) Luna studiing the remnants of Quichua literature and their religious beliefs to create his compositon. This coupled with the use of authentic instruments, such as the Quena(Indian flute),Cuatro(four stringed guitar) ,the Requinto(small guitar)Charango( small guitar made the hide of an armadillo) maracas and various percussion intruments, including the woooden drum,Alauakataki earthenware drum, create a magnificent piece of timeless music. Although the instruments used are beautiful it is Sosa 's voice that solidifies and projects the music deep into your soul. Her voice is full of emotion, gentle but firm, demanding your attention soaring from high and low notes with her feet firmly on the ground. She has a range that can rest on the deep end but the feeling you get from listening to her is the strength of women and in particular the indigeous woman. All eight tracks are beautiful and different. "Canta tu Cancion" is a bossa nova type number that swings in a manner unlike the other songs because the others are more "Indian sounding" because of the instruments used. More typical fare represenative of the disc is "Alcen La Bandera' where Sosa sings to a beat that carries a tune similar to "Guantamera."Mercedes Sosa's wonderful vibe is projected as the earth mother crying out for peace, justice and respect between men and women. She sings of the common roots of South Americans, the Spanish and Indian past and the bridge to the future. She is a visionary who uses her voice to reach out to the multitudes. Her utopian vision of Latin America is heartfelt as her soulful vocals testify.Recommended for those that like indigenous music that has a message of unity, peace and justice for all."

This is Mercedes' greatest album

Alicia Barrientos | New York | 02/06/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In my opinion, this is the very best of Mercedes Sosa, one of the most famous and valued singers of South American Folklore (Argentina). She just has a melodic yet powerful voice! This album combines Argentina's indiginous essence...A mix of Gaucho poetry and Indian lamentations. Each track is chockfull of rich lyrics...the most beautiful metaphors that echo Latin America's culture and socio-cultural problems."