Search - Pablo Montero :: Gracias: Un Homenaje a Javier Solis

Legends never die

Enrique Torres | San Diegotitlan, Califas | 07/28/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As a tribute album Pablo Montero does an excellent job of paying tribute to Javier Solis. I had never heard of Montero until reading an excellent review at Amazon a few years back about the CD "Que Voy Hacer Sin Ti " which perked my interest. Once on my radar screen I heard him sing on a Mexican novela(Abrazame Muy Fuerte?) and I wanted to hear more. Being a big fan of long deceased singer Javier Solis I was thrilled to see this release. Montero sings this collection of songs with more than tribute in mind as he even tries to mimick Solis's style, not overtly but in suttle ways. The rich voice of Solis cannot be copied but Montero cleverly throws in some gritos(gutteral yells) that sound like Solis and was sort of a trademark of his songs. Pablo Montero seems to be walking in the footprints of legends, trying to retain the singing charro(Mexican cowboy)image with dutiful respect; you get the impression Montero knows his(countries) past and wants to keep it alive. The arrangements on this disc are flawless, beautiful lush mariachi music accompanyment that plays second fiddle to Montero's voice.The songs chosen are some of the best by Solis but curiously missing "Payaso" which is the song probably most associated with Solis. There are several Augustin Lara compositions, "La Cumbancha" and the young torero song "Novillero" which features the lyrics and a picture of Montero in the bullring finishing a move with the capote(cape) leaving him wrapped in a swirl of magenta. Several outstanding tracks include the beautiful love song where Montero gives thanks to his lover, "Gracias,"(tengo que darte las gracias, por estar cerca de ti y por las miles de cosas que yo he sentido junto a ti "), the often recorded and familiar song "Cuando Caliente El Sol," "Entrega Total" a great song about solitary love, the catchy "Moliendo Cafe" and one of Solis's signature songs "Sombras," where Montero's phrasing is in places about as close as you can get to bringing Solis back. This is a wonderful and fitting tribute disc by one of the young Mexican singers looking to find their place amongst the legends of Mexico's past. The accompanying booklet is terrific, complete with lyrics ( sorry, Spanish only), great color photographs and a magnifient black and white center double page of Montero laying carnations down at Javier Solis's grave site with a personal written message of gratitude to Solis. I saw an interview with Montero when he was promoting this disc and he said it was a very emotional visit so it more than just a posed photograph. In the end Pablo Montero delivers a super set of songs, at times sounding very much like Solis and always singing with deep conviction and pride. This is one of those discs that will get plenty of play in your rotation now and in the future. Recommended for fans of Javier Solis and Pablo Montero and those that like ranchero boleros and mariachis."

Pablo's most ambitous cd

C. Beeker | Atlanta, GA United States | 02/23/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In his new cd, Pablo tackles more challenging material than in his previous cds. His voice may not have the power or range of Alejandro Fernandez but his new cd seems less commercial and every song has its own charm. Pablo's version of "Gracias" is the most beautiful I have heard. What a wonderful tribute to Javier Solis!"

Payaso

Juan Diego | 02/18/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Este Cd. representa por parte de P.Montero una excelente dedicatoria al siempre recordado Javier Solis. Montero como ya es su costumbre se consolida como el Futuro Charro de Mejico junto a los Cuatro Grandes. Negrete-Infante-Solis-Fernandez en lo que respecta al mariachi de Mejico."