El Cantante Reviews

• *** Great Songs Re-Made... Not Quite the Same! ***

  
  By A1UKMXIMB9TKRJ on 2007-08-04
  Let me start by saying that I am one of those hardcore Hector Lavoe fanatics that gets up to dance every time any one of Lavoe's songs starts playing - be it in a restaurant, a nightclub, "la calle", you name it...
  
  Hector Lavoe had an undeniable talent captivating the audiences with not only his voice, but his personal style back in the 70's and early 80's... Let's face it, there will never be music like Lavoe's (which is also true for all the other big "Salsa Gorda" Soneros - e.g. Tito Rodriguez, Ismael Rivera, Tito Puente, just to mention a few) - Even though I believe Mark Anthony did a great job acting in Hector's capacity (I realized this after seeing the film), Hector's music is still unparalleled today and always will be (which should not be unexpected). Objectively speaking, these songs make more sense in the movie than they do when put together as a standalone compact-disc. For my everyday listening and dancing leisure, I would much rather enjoy the unadulterated Lavoe's originals (which I do not think is particularly unexpected).
  
  What I really expected from Mark Anthony was for him to incorporate some of his own flavor into this production. Mark Anthony is gifted in his own ways, and he should have allowed for this album to stand-out by being a little bit more like himself. Should he have done this, we would have ended up with one of the best salsa CD's ever - After all, this was a great opportunity for Mark to interpret, and not just imitate, during the remaking of some of yesterday's most-treasured salsa classics while concurrently allowing himself to reach today's "newer" salsa crowds... And as far as us consumers go - Why buy a less-than-perfect replica, when you can listen to the crème de la crème - which has stood the test of time?
  
  Overall, this CD lacks originality and since Mark's intentions were to mirror Lavoe verbatim, I should write my evaluation with that in mind... And no, there is no Mark Lavoe.
  
  

• Chicago Salsera

  
  By A2Q58Z210UUTA0 on 2007-07-24
  Mark Anthony is probably the best salsero we have now in 07. Hector was one of the best we had in the 70's. Hector Lavoe did his thing, he did it his way, the way it was hot back then. Now we have Mark Anthony repeating the exact same music the exact same way. I like this album because Hector Lavoe was a great salsa singer.He is one of my personal favorites. Mark Anthony on the other hand is also a great salsa singer but with alot more vocal range. It's a good album not a great album. I think Mark Anthony should have been more creative and made it his own, using that awesome range of his.He should've went all out. He was working with some really great songs, I just think he should've gave it 100% of Mark Anthony, not just trying to make it sound like 100% of Hector Lavoe. I do understand that he is in the movie acting as Hector Lavoe, and he is obviously trying to be 100% of this character. I'm kinda split between he shoulda woulda coulda. But overall it's good. I personally prefer listening to the original stuff from Lavoe himself.
  
  

• Buena Banda Sonora De La Pelicula

  
  By AS56XWGNNFAVV on 2007-08-04
  When I heard this album, I expected for Marc Anthony to adapt to Hector Lavoe's style to interpret the songs, not just imitate his voice (UJUM!, Van Lester)!!! and anyone else that can a buck only as a Hector Lavoe imitator or Hector Lavoe "covers" orquestras. And I think Marc Anthony accomplished that without using completely his vocal range. Remember, Hector Lavoe was not known for that, but more the way he spills his emotions and interacts with his public with his phrases on stage. The songs chosen are some of the obvious popular tunes, some that are not really the most popular tunes from his catalog. I guess that might depend where you lived in that era, PR, NYC, South America, the favorites vary slightly by market or area. I have not seen the movie yet, but I imagine the reason these songs were chosen for this sountrack is because it fit the best with the "movie's standpoint" of Hector Lavoe's live. You can't compare salsa quality from the Fania era, that is something that is locked and treasured, but I think for 2007 this album is done musically very good. It's a well done album with a great musical quality in today's standards, (stop comparing with the Fania era, that was the sacred time golden age of salsa and is never coming back). I recommend highly this album. The main reason I gave this album four stars is the last song, by Jennifer Lopez, it is very out of place from the other songs
  
  

• Are you sure you want to buy this?

  
  By A1F8YM4KHTZ7MP on 2007-09-08
  Instead of buying this, you could buy "El Cantante: The Originals", a compilation album that has many of the same songs as this, except that it's really Hector Lavoe that's singing them. Seriously, if you had the choice between listening to Hector Lavoe and listening to Marc Anthony doing a bad imitation of Hector Lavoe, why would you buy this one?
  
  Anyway, in this album, Marc Anthony does a very bad imitation of Hector Lavoe. If you like Marc Anthony and you have to have all his albums, then sure, you're going to want this one. But hopefully after getting the "Originals" compilation (if not a few of Hector Lavoe's albums--and dont' forget to get Willie Colon's, while you're at it!)
  
  

• Very Pleased.

  
  By A7YYR67P655PM on 2007-07-27
  Not Hector Lavoe but rather a refreshing remake.Marc Anthonys voice is great if someone had to do it...No one better than Marc.
  
  
• BRAVO
  By A2C4H5HBENNEEQ on 2007-08-23
  WOW BRAVO MARC!!! THIS IS YOUR BEST ALBUM!!! WOW HECTOR WOULD BE PROUD OF THIS CD!!!
  
  
• Marc did a great job!
  By A30KIMU6LXGVP on 2007-07-24
  I think Marc Anthony did a very good job considering that you can't really sing all out to Hector's songs. Hector did not have a very powerful voice or a big range like Marc does. So you can tell Marc is holding his voice back. Marc does not really sound like himself. So he did a good job on this cd of not sounding like himself but trying to sing in more of Hector's syle.
  
  
• Marc Anthony : #1
  By A1FQTAVBXU3BZ5 on 2007-07-25
  Marc Anthony did an amazing job, he has such a wonderful voice, this album make me really excited to see the movie "El cantante", the best song here are "El cantante" , "Mi Gente", "Que Lio" and "Quitate tu pa ponerme yo", there is also a beautifull song sang by Jennifer Lopez : "toma de mi" A Must Buy !!!
  
  
• Another brilliant cd from Marc @}->---
  By A24ZFFRQ4MG3XL on 2007-07-25
  I've been a fan of Marc Anthony's throughout the 90's before the Latin Pop explosion later in 1999/2000. He has the most superb voice and always sings with a lot of emotion and smoothness. You don't need to understand what he's singing about if you listen to the music and his voice - you can just feel what he's singing about.
  He plays the role of Hector Lavoe in this movie - and he'd been wanting to make this movie for years. While I haven't seen the movie, I've already fallen in love with the music. It's beautiful. I think he's done a really good job here to not exactly match the talents of Lavoe, but to get close to his talent and put his own take on it. I really love Che Che Cole, El Día de Suerte and Aguanile. I love the whole cd, but these are my particular favourites.
  This cd is my absolute new favourite that went straight onto my iPod and into the car too so I can listen to it everywhere. It's so amazing and you must do yourself and pick up a copy whether you are a fan of Marcs, Hectors or if you just love stunning Latin music. This is great. Can't wait to see the movie.
  
  
• Best song missing
  By A3A8Z4N0Y2U2AP on 2007-07-27
  I wonder why Hector's best song was not included on the soundtrack?
  The song "Periodico de Ayer" (Yesterdays Newspaper") is to this date one of the best Salsa recordings.
  
  
• Great soundtrack...up until track 10!
  By A16PQK239OGQQD on 2007-07-30
  I really was enjoying this CD! 9 tracks of 70's style Salsa (something I grew up listening to) done with new arrangements and STELLAR vocals by the swesome Marc Anthony...
  
  ...up until track 10! I really, REALLY wish hubby Marc would be honest with Jen and tell her SHE CAN'T SING! A well written song with a HORRIBLE singer, brings this CD down from 5 stars to a 3! Talk about buzz kill.
  
  A high recommend, if you can somehow edit out the 10th track.
  
  
• Good, but not Hector
  By A18H0FLVYDRL0U on 2007-08-10
  I think it's been said. Marc tried to sing like Hector because the movie is about Hector. Marc does a good job but i've heard Hector do it and he owns these songs. So I give it a 3 because Marc is better than I expected him to be and any CD which introduces younger listeners to the joy of Hector's music has got to be a good thing.
  
  I want to make another point Hector was a sonero, Marc isn't. There is a big difference between what singers were doing in the 70's and how they are singing now and this is largely because salsa music has changed so much. Marc is the best and biggest of the current R&B-fied generation of salsa singers and is perfect for the modern salsa but he could never have sung the complex improvisations of Hector. I thought i'd mention that because someone mentioned how Marc is a better singer because he has more range. Singing is more than range, it's also about projecting your emotion, and in the 70's it was also about being believable when singing about the barrio (poverty, love, joy, displacement, etc), as well as being able to improvise - the art of the sonero. Who are we kidding, Marc could never sound convincing on anything other than love (good or bad) and he certainly can't improvise.
  
  70's salsa was full of improvisations for all members of the band which is why you hear so many piano, trumpet, trombone, conga, singing solos. You just don't get that in modern salsa, it's very formulaic. So as much as I like what Marc does and his music (in fact he got me into salsa, i'm 31), he ain't Hector.
  
  In saying that, Marc does a great acting job as Hector. Man I was surprised. Watch the movie, not perfect, but good nevertheless.
  
  
• Excellent Musicianship; Great Vocals
  By A17C16WBMRB01S on 2007-08-12
  I'm tired of bad-sport Hector Lavoe fans who cannot accept that anyone can even come close to challenging him.
  
  Hector Lavoe was a master sonero, and he conveyed a sense of humor in his singing that was very unique. Marc Anthony can't touch him in these departments. However, Hector sometimes had an unpleasant nasal quality to his voice, and not much power.
  
  Marc Anthony has a beautiful singing voice. He sings with power and intensity, but can also handle the vocal acrobatics.
  
  The musicians on this CD are excellent, and the arrangements are hot!!! The more you listen to this CD, the more fun it is!
  
  This should be just a starter for Hector Lavoe appreciation. Hector had a prolific career with LOTS of great material.
  
  
• My first and only review ever....
  By A2A2QHP99VFPVB on 2007-07-27
  I never bother writing reviews, I just read them until now... Well 2 things, the music is beautiful (just as Marc's voice), but the movie... is fantastic! I saw it 6 months ago in a survey screening and it was great, both Jennifer and Marc did an excellent job. And the Music sounds even better in the movie!! I can't wait to watch it again...Did I mention I love Marc? :P
  
  
• Marc Anthony does not cut it
  By A3L4S7GBR0SP65 on 2007-08-08
  Hector Lavoe is was a great star. His music is amazing and still lives today. The movie and the soundtrack does not do it justice. If you really want to hear the flavor, soul and emotion of Hector Lavoe, please buy Hector Lavoe's CD's. This movie and soundtrack is a terrible imitation. Unfortunately the movie portrays only the bad side and does not get the flavor of a great singer.
  
  
• CLASSIC.
  By A12ESHLIXURCO9 on 2007-07-30
  Marc Anthony Singing Hector Lavoe is enough to let you know this c.d. is an instant classic.
  
  Jennifer Lopez's song on the soundtrack "Toma De Mi" is amazing. Beautiful flow and captivating lyrics.
  
  Instant classi.
  
  
• Some extremely HOT music.
  By A9REK6HRG7YQ7 on 2007-07-31
  One song in particular "AQUANILE" is really hot, hot, hot. If you don't want to get up and dance to this, you must be dead.
  
  
• Marc Anthony...As good as it gets w/o being a reincarnation!!
  By A26WER3HIOULXT on 2007-08-14
  I thought the movie was excellent. I can't thionk of anyone else I would like to play the part of this legend. My only criticism off the top of my head was the movie did not fully articulate the crushing emotions Hector must have felt from the various tragedies in his life. As for the soundtrack the only critism would be as other reviewers have pointed out. Anthony (while a master in his own right) tries to emulate the strongest part of another master's game. While Anthony's versions of these songs are pretty awesome you can't and shouldn't compare them to Lavoe's. I would imagine that Anthony did not put his own spin on these classics more out of respect to and his devotion to portraying Lavoe in the same light and style as Lavoe is remembered. I am happy Anthony pursued this project and would love to hear in his words how he approached it.
  
  
• El Cantante
  By A3NL5PZVUQRZHX on 2007-08-19
  I love this cd. I love every song. Hector Lavoe was very big with all the songs that lavoe Sang.It would have been nice to hear Marc Anthony sing Periodico de Ayer or Juanito Alimana.But its still a very good cd Buy It, its hot!!!
  
  
• el cantante
  By A3H2TTSNSL0BRR on 2007-08-23
  this is an excellent cd marc anthony sounds just like hector lavoe, if you like lavoe's music you will like this cd the movie is good too.
  
  
• el cantante
  By ATL8LEMZK0YY7 on 2007-08-07
  FANTASTIC CD, MARC ROCKS. THE MOVIE IS GREAT JLO AND MARC DID AN AWESOME JOB. TOO BAD THE CRITICS BASHED THE MOVIE. THE OPENING OF THE MOVIE WILL BRING CHILLS UP AND DOWN YOUR BACK.
  
  
• Like Hector no one!
  By A1X5QXX9FZSUJ5 on 2007-08-10
  The sound is excellent the orquesta oustanding but Mark, voice, is not the Best that i had heard.
  
  
  
  
• El Cantante-Marc Anthony
  By A1NRC7ZNJFD5Y5 on 2007-08-27
  I am enjoying the CD "El Cantante" by Marc Anthony. I can't believe how much he sounds like Hector Lavoe and Jennfer Lopez's song is fantastic. She finally sang a song I can enjoy
  
  
• El Cantante
  By A25P5L8EQCRHXE on 2007-09-01
  I thought this was a excellent cd to listen to . I was disappointed with my area not showing it in more movies. I felt this showed me they care about foul talking music instead of music to dance to.
  
  
• an AMAZING CD! Tributo a El Cantante !
  By A2NY0KGOAFCL4C on 2007-09-02
  WOW! What an Amazing CD! Never Reviewed but HAD to for this AMAZING cd. Marc Anthony is extraordinary..This CD will NOT disappoint! tracks 1,2,4,6 are guaranteed favorites
  
  
• best cd of the year
  By A1JDXLJZ912H2G on 2007-09-06
  Ever since i purchased this cd i haven't stop listening to it. I recommend this cd to anyone who is a big fan of Marc & jennifer. I don't regret buying it.
  
  
• Salsa for Salseros
  By A23QTVJMYIO58Y on 2007-09-07
  The soundtrack is great!
  
  If you like to dance Salsa or just looking for a some good driving music for long drives in the country....This is a good CD to have in your music library....
  
  
• Agree with first review
  By A3H8TRUVSY3SN7 on 2007-09-10
  I was expecting a great re-make of LAVOE's songs, although been a fan of Marc, I believe he did a good effort as a actor to imitate one of the greatest Salsa singer in history.
  
  I don't recommend Salsaholics to buy this Cd, this production is just for Marc Antony fans to keep it in your a case as a part of your collection.
  
  
  
  
• OUSTANDING
  By AP2F177DOPTR3 on 2007-09-13
  It's the best. I think Marc did a great job bringing back the old school originals music the made Salsa what it is today. Hector Lavoe is a legend and all those who were part of that great FANIA family. No one else would have given "EL Cantante" the justice it deserved like Marc Anthony.
  
  
• Great album
  By A1DYDU5BK5RK9A on 2007-11-21
  
  I highly recommend this album.
  Marc Anthony is an amazing singer and his interpretation of Hector Lavoe songs is really fabulous!
  
  

• El Cantante: The Originals
• El Cantante
• 90 Millas
• Como Ama una Mujer
• Sigo Siendo Yo: Grandes Exitos