Is anyone familiar with the music of Juan Luis Guerra, a Dominican popular in Spain? The folks in the music section of El Corte Ingles were less than helpful (ditto for the folks in the children's book section of El Corte Ingles; fortunately, the clerks in the clocks and "gifts" section upstairs were much more polite, friendly and helpful) although they did turn up his most recent cd. I checked amazon.com...it appears he has numerous cds. Could anyone tell me about his music or direct me to a location to "sample" it?

Hi Carole,
Juan Luis Guerra is one of my all time favorites and I have all his c.d's. His music is so great because it covers the range in style and is so diverse... ballads, acoustic, merengue etc... He many times sings about social, poltical topics that relate to the Dom. Rep. and Latin America. You can find some of them at places like Amazon but the best thing to do is enroll in one of those music clubs like BMG or Columbia for their Latin music catologue, eg, Club Musica Latina. I'm sure the more you listen to his music the more you will grow to love it.

Jaime

Carole, Juan Luis Guerra is quite famous here. He has several cds and also one with greatest hits. His miusic is nice. YOu can find some information in the web page of fnac www.fnac.es
If you go there and search for Juan Luis Guerra in "discos" section you will find the information and I think they also have some sample of his music (although it doesn't work in my computer )
Good luck

Juan Luis Guerra also does a lot of ballads and merengue (being from the Dominican Republic). I personally really like his stuff. If you are back in the States, Borders has some of his stuff, and you might be able to listen to it there.

The official website for Juan Luis Guerra is @ http://www.juanluisguerra.com.do

His music is very entertaining - makes you feel as happy as a lark. I have two of his cd´s (that I´ve bought here in Sweden) and I listen to those songs quite often. My favourites are 'Ojalá que llueva café', 'La Bilirrubina' and 'Carta de amor' from Grandes Éxitos de Juan Luis Guerra 440. I can really recommend you to buy that cd. It should not be very difficult to find it either in some music shop or on the internet. Good luck! Tia
******************************************************************

Oye me dio una fiebre el otro día
por causa de tu amor cristiana
que fui a parar la enfermería
sin yo tener seguro de cama.

Y me inyectaron suero de colores
y me sacaron la radiografía
y me diagnosticaron mal de amores
al ver mi corazón como latía.

Y me tratiaron hasta el alma
con rayos X y cirugía
y es que la ciencia no funciona
sólo tus besos vida mía...

(La bilirrubina)

[ 11-11-2001: Message edited by: Tia ]

Thanks, everyone, for all your help.

Felix, I went to the fnac website and listened to some of Juan Guerra's songs. I'm not sure he's what I'm looking for. I don't understand "sung" Spanish enough to enjoy the ballads. Which cd is comprised of acoustic songs?

Madridman--I liked that link with words to the songs included.

Now let me tell you WHO I like and see if I can get any further suggestions of similar music and/or specific cds.

Gipsy Kings
NovaMenco
Oscar Lopez (I love his stuff.)
Robert Kyle (Brazilian Moon)
DiBlasio

We also bought a nice CD from some street performers in Madrid. Sipan: Spirit and Music...pan flute songs...kind of Peruvian sounding.

What about salsa? Can someone suggest a sampling? (I wanted to go to a Salsa Club in Madrid. As we surveyed the long line of people waiting to go inside, my husband would only consent if there were other gray-haired adults in the crowd. Nadie!)

[ 11-12-2001: Message edited by: Carole Chiaro ]

[ 11-12-2001: Message edited by: Carole Chiaro ]

Carole Chiaro, I believe you'll find some salsa clubs listed in the "Food, Drink, & Entertainment" forum if you use the SEARCH link. But in short, El Palacio Gaviria has a room (one of 3) which plays salsa music. Have fun!

For Spanish CDs (CDs, FROM Spain), you'll find many, including ALL those from the Gypsy Kings on MadridMan's ALL Spain Market .

[ 11-12-2001: Message edited by: MadridMan ]

Hi Carol. For salsa try some of Celia Cruz's music. Cuban salsa is particularly hot, but I also just bought a CD at Borders of Afrro-Cuban salsa performed by west African artists. It is awesome. the salsa is just slightly different, but very cool. I think Putomayo (sp?) has a collection of Cuban music or Latin Music. It would be a nice intro into that genre.

Madridman, I "checked out" your suggestions. I especially like the sampling of Behzad, Strings of Desire and Marc Antoine, Madrid and Cruisin' .

Thanks, Nicole. I'll take a look at Celia Cruz for salsa.

Meanwhile, has anyone bought the Gipsy Kings' new cd?

Carole Chiaro, I really like Marc Antoine's "Madrid" CD... It's easy-listening, to say the least. He's French, but I like his soft guitar sounds.

Do the Gypsy Kings have a new CD? I thought they broke up years ago? I have nearly all they made to present and LOVE "Cantos de Amor". It's GREAT "make-out" (kissing) music. hehehee... :p :o

My ladyfriend loves Celia Cruz, by the way, but I haven't heard much myself.

[ 11-13-2001: Message edited by: MadridMan ]

MadridMan: I saw Gypsy Kings a couple of years ago in New York. I am sure they were back here this summer, so I'd say they are still together.

I'm sure (well, as sure as I can ever be) that I saw a new cd when we were in El Corte Ingles. And I think they performed here at the Concord Pavilion earlier this year. I've seen them a couple of times. Best local venue is the Greek Theatre (small and open-air) at UC, Berkeley. I really don't enjoy the big outdoor concerts with the limited "pavilion" seating and additional "first come, first served stretch-out-on-the-lawn" seating. We saw Gloria Estefan a few years ago at the Concord Pavilion...basically watched her on the many television monitors scattered about. Not my idea of a great evening. (Off subject: we loved the entertainment at Casa Patas in Madrid. Very authentic. More later in the proper forum!)