David de Alba
My Latin Roots
Review by Anita Sutton
David de Alba as Boy-Chic returns to his roots to delight us with his fantastic interpretations in Spanish of some of the greatest hits of yesterday in the Latin world of music. Although seldom heard nowadays, these songs are fondly remembered and admired by the older Latin population, who in turn passed on this legacy to their children.
Truly a Latin diva of the past, David de Alba’s voice transports us to those beautiful days when we were young and carefree. His voice does justice to all the numbers without exception, and gives us the opportunity to appreciate his range as a singer.
“El Negrito del Batey”, so popular in the 1950s is brought back in an arrangement almost identical to the original version by Alberto Beltran. “Esto es Felicidad”, made so popular by Josephine Baker, in a Cha-Cha-Cha beat is quite sensual. “Quien Sera” aka “Sway” is particularly interesting with a new upbeat rhythm.
I believe “Un Poquito de tu Amor” dates back to the 1940s, and David de Alba provides us with two versions; in a slow bolero tempo and the more danceable beat of a mambo. Truly magnificent! Another 1940s hit, “La Ultima Noche” really serves as the crowning glory of this CD (I myself sang it back then), and it is without any doubt quite a trip to the past!
“Cuanto lo Siento”, a bolero made popular by Olga Chorens, ends this great Latin cavalcade, where David pours all his emotion into this touching song.
The last song “New York, New York”, from his Liza Minnelli act, is included as a bonus and shows Mr. de Alba’s versatility as a singer in both Spanish and English.
This is David de Alba like you’ve never heard him before. His talent and voice is truly a testimonial to his Latin roots!
What people are saying about David's new CD:
Es una obra muy bella, donde la voz de David de Alba está mejor que nunca. Me siento orgulloso de haber colaborado en la búsqueda del tema "Esto es Felicidad" para David puesto que al escucharla me doy cuenta que valió la pena que David la grabara, por que le puso su estilo y mantuvo la armonía de la canción tal y cuál es. Por otro lado, la pieza "El Negrito del Batey armonizada y llevada muy al estilo "Boy-Chic" en una versión femenina de su personaje, logra hacer una exclusiva y alegre interpretación. El tema "Un Poquito de tu Amor" está muy bien logrado en las dos versiones: Bolero y Mambo. Uno de mis boleros preferidos en la voz de David es "Cuanto lo Siento. "Muy Buena idea incluírlo en ésta su más reciente producción. Y que decir de la fabulosa interpretación de New York, New York como Bonus Track. Pues solo agregar......Bravooooooo David de Alba!!! Y éxitos! David de Alba es un artista que cuando canta no imita. David le pone a cada canción su estilo personal, y con cada nueva interpretación, asume un éxito más en su carrera.
GRACIAS DAVID POR SER UN ORGULLO CUBANO Y POR ESTE MERECIDO NUEVO DISCO.
[ This is a beautiful piece of work showcasing David de Alba’s voice like never before. I’m proud in my collaboration in searching and finding the theme “Esto es Felicidad” for David. Now that I’ve heard David’s rendition, I realize that it was the perfect choice; he used his own style but kept note by note the song’s integrity. “El Negrito del Batey”, executed in his Boy-Chic feminine persona, succeeds as an exclusive and happy number. “Un Poquito de tu Amor” is just as successful in its two versions of bolero and mambo. One of my favorite boleros in David’s voice is “Cuanto lo Siento”. It was an excellent idea to include it in this recent production. And what can we say about his fabulous interpretation of “New York, New York” as a Bonus Track. We can only add….Bravo David de Alba!!! And more success! David de Alba is a performer who doesn’t imitate anybody. He gives each song his own personal style, and with each new song, he adds one more triumph to his career.
THANK YOU DAVID FOR BEING A SOURCE OF PRIDE FOR CUBA AND FOR THIS GREAT CD.]
[Translated from Spanish] The arrangements by Linda La Blanche were all very nicely done. I recognized all the songs you recorded with the exception of 'Cuanto Lo Siento', but the one song that stuck with me was 'New York, New York' because there you used the best of your voice doing such a dramatic rendition. The people that saw you singing that song live at Finocchio's were privileged to see you perform it! My best wishes to you.
As luck has it, 'Esto Es Felicidad' is my favorite Spanish song. I saw Josephine do it when I was 14 years old at the Albee Theatre in Cincinnati where I lived at the time. Two years later I saw Richard Carlson do it in the Box [Jewel Box Revue] when they were in Cincy. I learned the words in my twenties from Richard and I sang it Berlin later. It is a catchy little song. Some spanish teachers now use it as a learning tool. Gracias por las memorias. Esto es felicidad.
Your recent album, 'My Latin Roots - From Me to You', 12th CD is very good. I put on my frock and danced across the floor. When October 2007 arrives and I have to return to dance class I will bring your 12th CD. I will enjoy it! You're a very talented and bright Cuban Legend.
Amazing! I can tell it was a labor of love, and I do know it's a lot of work. Not just hold a mike and sing. It's not like singing in the shower. And then there is the engineering which I'm sure Paul Ryner did . . .also not easy! And the arrangements Linda La Blanche did. It was wonderful to hear you doing what you obviously love to do!
What can I say this is Mr de Alba's best work yet. Even though I didn't understand many of the lyrics as my spanish is a little rusty the feeling was still there. The songs were happy and uplifting in many ways. The spanish songs were nice to listen too and the message was still as encouraging and refreshing as any of de Albas' other music. New York, New York gives a refreshing upbeat vocal performance by de Alba. My only regret is that it ended too soon. Great job. Great Show.
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