Search - Celia Cruz, Willie Colon :: The Winners

It could have been much better

Roberto Jimenez | Tampa, FL USA | 12/31/2005

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Just as I have posted that from the three collaborations between Celia Cruz and Willie Colon, the first one, "Only they could have made this album" (1977) is by far the best and a classic every real salsa fan should have, I will say "The Winners" is their weakest effort, by far.



Don't get me wrong: Celia and Willie are almost incapable of recording something really mediocre. That's why "The Winners" is still a good album. However, if you judge it on what they are capable of doing, this album is simply lacking. Celia always did a great job as a "sonera", so the problem in this album is not her. The problem is, mainly, the song selection and the arrangements. Out of the 8 songs, only 4 are, in my opinion, good efforts. For example, the salsified "house" "Un bembé pa' Yemayá" is very catchy and interesting. "Son Matamoros", "Yo si soy veneno" and "Ache para todos" are pure salsa numbers; Willie and Celia at their best. However, the other 4 numbers are simply boring; plain lyrics and very weak arrangements, uncharacteristic of Colón. By the way, Willie doesn't play his trombone or his bass trumpet here; still, trombone masters like Leopoldo Pineda, Barry Rogers and Lewis Khan do an excellent job, as always.



So, if you are a die-hard Colon/Cruz fan or a collector like I am, go ahead and buy it. If you are simply looking for a good salsa CD, there are better options."

Hard knock from critics.

elmalo | Salem, Virginia | 07/10/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've read critical reviews on this album, and once again, I think the experts just like hearing themselves speak. This is a clean and well produced album. It's very upbeat, and has that unmistakable driving trombone chorus that only Willie Colon could do so well. Celia is as phenominal as always, and the two work great together. Highlights: Son Matamoros, Yo si soy Veneno, El Paraiso, Dice Anton."

Great Album

09/14/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I love this album virtually every cut swings."