Celia Cruz Hits Mix

Arturo Toscanini, renowned conductor of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra during the 1940's, once told the opera soprano Marian Anderson, "A voice like yours comes but once in a century!" The very same could be said of Celia Cruz, "La Reina de Salsa". It was not just her ability that has placed her within the pantheon of immortals such as Enrico Caruso and Edith Piaf, but her greatness of spirit, which left its mark on everything she did.I only discovered her at her death; the coverage of her passing on English and Spanish-language television networks included file footage of her performing and being interviewed. Even to such a clod as I (and with only a moron's understanding of Spanish), her vivacity and charm were instantly apparent. I can only compare it to an electric current. Intrigued, I first purchased the album "Havana Days", made up of music she recorded in the 1950's; then this album, "Hits Mix". One of the great charms of her work was her willingness to experiment with changing the form of her music while preserving the content. That is to say, she was willing to alter her music for a new generation of fans while maintaining its essence throughout. From her earliest works to her last, nothing vital is ever lost while it is being continuously renewed. This is certainly on display in this album where her songs are recast as dance numbers and include some modern electronic flourishes. While purists may shudder, all I can say is that she succeeds brilliantly at something I would have judged impossible had I not heard it for myself.Centuries from now, if humanity is not destroyed by natural or human-induced catastrophe, I would like to think that--if they remain human at all--some will hear these songs and feel the same strange and amazing exhilaration they bring to me. If you have never heard her music, select an album of hers and order it-not tomorrow, but today. If you are a native speaker of Spanish--whether from California, Texas, New York, Spain, or anywhere else--you cannot consider youself civilized until you have sampled the music of one of the greatest singers in your mother tongue. A new and fantastic pleasure awaits you all!

I bought this CD a while back and I loved it I mean I played it to death it was that good anyone who is a fan of hers will love this one. If you don't have it buy it you can't go wrong it's that good.Let me put it this way WONDERFUL,FAST PACED,FANTASTICO. VIVA LA SALSA.I have a few of her CD's and I love them all this one is my favorite I place it on the top of my list. I would play it on my way to work in the morning and on my way home at night.

Celia Cruz is always outstanding, but this CD is super outstanding. Even if you don't dance, this music will get you up and make you dance. All the songs have a strong dance beat. My only criticism is that it only has 10 songs. I wish it had 20 at least.

Who doesn't love Celia? She's the Queen of Salsa for a reason. That sultry voice and her vocal nuances make for a wonderful listening experience.

great

Not what I expected classic Crlcia but I'm liking it.Makes you move!!!

DIFFERENT, VERY DIFFERENT

I can't help but dance when I put this one on at home.I definitely enjoy Mrs. Cruz's music and what these guys have done around her vocals.