Me voy a regalar... Give yourself the gift of this CD!
Written: May 26 '02 (Updated May 26 '02)
Product Rating:
Pros: Some AWESOME singing, wonderful arrangements & lyrics.
Cons: Has the Spanish lyrics, but no English translations in the CD's booklet.
The Bottom Line: This is the most exciting, fun and full blastable salsa album to ever come down the pike. Soulful singing & great arrangements! Compralo ya! :)
suepera's Full Review: Contra la Corriente (Sony) by Marc Anthony
My review title is taken from the 4th track of the CD, Me voy a regalar (I will gift/give myself) because this album IS a gift. To me it is Marc's BEST album. And yes, I have almost all of them & those I don't have, I've listened to.
Whether or not you speak Spanish (this is an all Spanish album) you will enjoy the music on its own merits.
This album was originally released back in 1993 & was a hot seller then & still one of Marc's most popular albums. Here is a track listing w/composer:
1) Y Hubo Alguien- Omar Alfanno
2) Contra la Corriente- Omar Alfanno
3) Si Te Vas- Pedro Fernandez
4) Me Voy a Regalar- Omar Alfanno
5) No Me Conoces- Fernando Arias
6) No Sabes Como Duele- Omar Alfanno
7) La Luna Sobre Nuestro Amor- Omar Alfanno
8) Suceden- Fernando Arias
9) Un Mal Sueno- Manny Benito
Maybe they should've titled this album, the Omar Alfanno collecion- as you can see, he wrote 5 out of the 9 songs. And I must confess, they are FAB!!! He is a wonderful composer & the arrangements of his songs are sizzling! Perhaps my only criticism there is that #1,2, and 4 start out similar in the arrangements.
The music and that voice!
The first song, Y Hubo Alguien (And There was Someone) will always be one of my favorites. It has a great beat that you can whack your steering wheel (or your kid or spouse or pet) to. (you know I'm kidding about the people, right? pets too?)
It starts out slow & a little sad- with a change up in the rhythm that is like a ride on a sunny day with the windows down! In the lyrics, it speaks of suddenly figuring out that despite moving on, and not being able to forget, there is that past experience that won't go away. I won't go into a full on translation of each song, but give an overview. I am fluent in Spanish, but one of the biggest faults of Marc Anthony's albums is the lack of translations. But more on that later. The best part of the song is the "clave." It's over 3 mins (the entire song is 6'28")& is sizzling! By this time it is built up into a full-on cry of anguish but still very resolute and strong.
The 2nd song & title song from the album, Contra la Corriente (Against the Current) is a song that starts out slow too, with just guitar, subdued strings, piano & Marc's voice. Then it moves into a salsa beat and flowers into a song about regret. I will translate a little of this one (because it's one of the easier ones!)
There's no day that passes, that I don't remember you. There are no lips that I kiss that do not taste of you. You always remain here in my thoughts, you dominate & have control over my feelings- even though you're far away, nothing works for me because I want you more than yesterday. I try, try, try but I can't forget. I fight, fight, fight but without success. I put all of my part and it's not sufficient- it's like swimming against the current.
The next song, Si te vas (If you go) is a famous previously released song that La India made famous, as well as others. Marc has also sung this with her, but his solo version (thankfully) is featured on the album.
This is a song about saying goodbye- but in a angry kinda attitude way. A strong song about "go ahead & go- you'll see later what you're missing buddy!!!" Basically many of the songs on this album deal with breaking up & moving on- or at least trying to. This song also has some cool lyrics:
If it's true that you want to leave me already, then go. I don't know your reason & don't explain. With time you will see that this love was purer than nothing else and you will regret it. Ya- don't try to explain your decision, just go. You made fun of my poor heart- what bad luck!- With time you will know that I never lied and I gave you everything only for love. If you go, If you go away wherever you are you will listen to my song and to me you will be strange. If you go you will live without love because it won't be easy to find someone to take my place.
The next song, I have to admit is my favorite. Me Voy a Regalar (I Will Give/Gift to myself). It starts out slow, like the sentiment, then moves into a salsa beat upon the chorus, Me Voy a Regalar.
Here's just a little translation of this one, because it's worth the space.
December always seems to me to be handsome & beautiful to forget everything & start anew. Because I'm thinking better-and there's no reason I shouldn't give myself relief from this life of bitterness that I had with you. December appears beautiful & perfect to me to have a party with my feelings- to start to care again. How much time it has been! To find the woman that life has in store for me. I will give to myself this Christmas a new love. Someone that understands me, someone that really loves me, I am worth it. I will give to myself another opportunity at an eternal love- without schedules or pretenses. I will give to myself this Christmas a new love. That really wants me, that will attend to me & give to me like I do to her. I will give to myself a new love this Christmas because after thinking it over, I deserve it & I no longer care for you!
Anyway, this is a fantastic song about starting over and is so important to me because I really started listening to this album a lot 2 years ago after my divorce. Almost every song on here has something for the broken hearted, but this song in particular is a song of hope- that I can move on & find someone better suited. The music is so soulful! This music is the rhythm & blues of the Latin world. Great track.
The next song, No Me Conoces (You Don't Know Me), is a very cool one. It starts out as a ballad- just guitar & Marc's voice. And I'm sorry, but I have to translate some of it cause it is soooooo erotic! :)
It's been 3 nights since you slept in my arms, and you don't remember all the things you did with me- like you thought you'd died whenever I kissed you. You said that you've always yearned for a man like me. On occasion I had to cover your mouth so that no one would hear the strong cries of passion (locura/craziness) coming from you. Now you insist on ignoring me when I look in your eyes. And you put on a look like I'm a stranger- if this is how you are, than I'm sorry for ever having been with you- but I must confess- as God is my witness, I'm dying to have you one more time!
Then at exactly 3 mins, the song moves into the section that I call "the grind." The percussion and horns & strings come in. A violin solo and the relentless beat carry the instrumental section. This part I call the grind because it is perfect for a lap dance. It is so very primal, intense and openly sensuously sexual that it's hard not to get "into it," so to speak. Then Marc comes in & the horns go a little crazy & the percussion starts to reassert along with Marc's voice in a final kind of madness. You have to hear this full volume someplace where you can touch someone else!
The next song moves us back into the upbeat sounds of salsa. "No Sabes Como Duele" (You Don't Know how it Hurts) is a song that is very heartfelt. You can tell by Marc's singing- especially in the chorus/clave where he really lets it go. This along with "Y Hubo Alguien" are both the sizzling, upbeat types of salsa that Marc has become famous for.
The 7th song on the album, "La Luna Sobre Nuestro Amor" (The Moon Above our Love) is a very sweet song. It has some cool lyrics- about the moon looking over us- my hands navigating over your body- confusing desire, without cure- the desire, betraying our reason- and your eyes, supplicating, "make love to me."
I compressed some of the lyrics just to give you an idea. This is a happy song, not about heartache but about desire & love. And the music is appropriately upbeat. The final section is a lot of fun- the horns get a little chance to show off.
The 8th song is a very slow ballad called "Suceden" (Happening) and is perfect for showing off what a wonderful voice Marc has. We all know he has clarion high notes & a power & sincerity that communicates across all languages, but to hear this song, you get to hear his voice, up close. The arrangement is very restrained, with guitar & some strings/synthesizer that support, but do not overpower him. You can also notice in this song, Marc's love for Spanish and what a beautiful language it is.
The last song, "Un Mal Sueno" (A Bad Dream) is almost a precursor to his English music crossover. It sounds very much like some of his subsequent releases in English. It is an upbeat pop tune (not a ballad or salsa)- the only pop tune on the album. It is a fun song though, and a good ending tune. Strangely too, it doesn't really stick out on the album, it fits somehow. But I have to admit, when I first got the album, I subconsciously played this song less than the others. I now enjoy all this album has to offer. From the sizzling salsa, to the baleful ballads and everything in between. This is a very well produced album with great arrangements & orchestrations. All the musicians are fabulous.
My only criticism...
Marc needs to add translations to these albums. I speak Spanish so it's not such a hardship for me, but he has many fans that don't. His albums usually include the lyrics, but no translations. Finding some on the internet is almost impossible too! I actually searched a few months back- I was on the internet almost 3 hours and could only find partial translations that weren't very good. Marc Anthony's own official website has NO translations! He should provide those there. Especially for the fans that have learned about him through his English releases & have had the courage to purchase one of his Spanish albums. How much nicer for them if he made it easier by including translations? Or at least put your website on the CD/album & then have translations available via internet.
Now don't get me wrong. This music is moving & fun whether or not you know what's being said. But how much more enjoyable it is when you know- or at least can get a glimpse, an overview with a readily available translation!
That said, this is a FANTASTIC album that has a little something for everyone. Marc's charisma and vocal power shines through every song. He has that something that makes you listen & somehow feel that he truly feels these songs, in a very personal way.
So give the gift of Marc....Te vas a regalar (You're going to give yourself) a gift that you will not forget if you buy this album!!!
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