Search - Leon Gieco :: Por favor, perdon y gracias

The Dance of Beauty and Social Conscience

Juan Mobili | Valley Cottage, NY USA | 12/18/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Leon Gieco, ever since his appearance in Argentina's Rock and Folk scene over thirty years, has managed to sing about the injustices he witnessed without compromising the beauty of his melodies. His passion for bringing together the sounds of popular music -whether it was American Rock or the zambas and chamames of his own country- and tell meaningful stories as well, has grown, sharpened its message and give his songs an unmistakable and powerful voice.



"Por Favor, Adios, Gracias," his new album, is a gorgeous sum of what I'd call Gieco's "dance of beauty and social conscience," where both elements shine in their own right without deeming each other's light.



To start us off, "Yo Soy Juan" offers a fierce Rock riff to the story of a young man who had found out that his real parents were political activists kidnapped and tortured at the time his mother was pregnant, and that he was given to a family once they were killed, something that happened in Argentina quite often during its "infamous decade" beginning in the mid-70's.



With this song, Gieco confirms that playing great music does not need to compromise the power of songs to wake people up or have them ponder on the world we get to live in. The same is clear in "El Angel De La Bicicleta" about a young man who dedicated his life to feed people living in the poorest area of one of Argentina's provinces, and was shot to death by the police. Or, his tribute to the late Third World priest Father Mugica -"Los Guardianes De Mugica"- who was killed in one of Buenos Aires shantytowns in the 70's.



The rest of the songs are just as beautiful -even those retelling tragedies are beautiful- and moving, listen to the melodies of "Ve A La Luna," "Solo Figuras," "Santa Tejerina," "Al Atardecer," or "Carneada," for further examples of Gieco's musical breadth. And if I don't mention any more is to attempt to keep an already long review from getting longer, rather than because the good tunes end there.



These are politically charged songs that never surrender their artistic value, message or music count and deserve attention. Think of Gieco as a disciple of Dylan's who mastered an uncompromising poetic vision, stay current to the music of his times and denounced history's dark side, at the same time.



Please, even if your Spanish is weak, give this album the opportunity to stun you with it power and tender call to remain open and sensitive to our beleaguered world."

Fantastic Album

A. M. Rosen | Maryland | 03/26/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Not much to say - excellent in every sense of the word: lyrically, musically, instrumentally. Able to be enjoyed whether you speak Spanish or not."