Search - Willie Colon :: Criollo

Willie Colón Vindicated After 20 Years!

05/27/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Criollo", the controversial recording that got Willie Colón blacklisted in 1984, was re-released by BMG this week.

The crux of the disagreement was a scathing satire of Chile's blood thirsty, nazi loving, General Agusto Pinochet, RCA's management felt the CD was much too political.

Originally, RCA's tried to censor the CRIOLLO CD by attempting to eliminate the songs with political content. (El General and La Era Nuclear) After a bitter battle over the content, RCA (losing a legal challenge for the violation of Colón's 1st amendment rights to free speech) made a symbolic release of the CD, thereafter burying it and making it unavailable for the last 15-20 years.

This misunderstanding was the beginning of Colón's exile and blacklisting. However, it seems that Willie Colón's almost 20 years in the wilderness are coming to an end- historically, artistically and politically.

Today, history has vindicated Willie Colón. General Agusto Pinochet was arrested in Europe for crimes against humanity and now BMG has re-released his musically excellent and controversial Criollo CD. Ironically, it has been acclaimed not only for it's socio-political content but for it's musical excellence! A 20 year old production that stands above most contemporary releases.

Colón a tireless political activist ran for the office of Public Advocate of the City of New York last year, garnering a respectable 103,000 votes, making him a serious contender in the political arena.

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WILLIE COLÓN
Criollo (CD BMG)
Category: SALSA/SON; SALSA***EditorsPick: This important re-issue of Willie Colón's seminal 1984 release firmly established him as a Post-Fania era solo artist that clearly embraced issues both political and humanitarian. He is here backed by a terrific band that has no trouble enhancing Mr. Colón's all inclusive pan-Caribbean style. "La Era Nuclear" is as timely today as it was then."