Search - Xiomara Alfaro :: Best of 1

In the tradition of Rita Montaner - really exotic!

Edward B. Holman | Presidio, Texas United States | 12/24/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The greatest star ever of Cuban music (before Celia Cruz, that is) was Rita Montaner, who had a spendid classical soprano voice - she was a trained opera singer. Rita set the stage for Xiomara Alfaro, who also had an incredible voice with spectacular breath control and range. She possessed the sublime ability to have utter and seemingly effortless control of her tone and her fantastic modulations in some very high ranges, which any other singer would only be able to produce with a half voice or else with a strident effect. The ease with which she added an exquisite sweetness and a lilting, wafting, undulating charm to these difficult passages is simply amazing. In short, she had a natural talent that one in a million are born with, and she used it to spectacular effect with some of the most captivating music of all time - that of the great Cuban bands of the 1950's. This album is the sort of thing that makes you want to just listen to it over and over and over again! Every song on this album is a masterpiece. Xiomara epitomizes the glamor of the 1950's. She is a black Cuban goddess, sexy, exotic, alluring, captivating, consuming. In short, she and her music are to die for! Viva Xiomara!"

EXOTIC!!!!

Leandro J. Seoane (leandroseoane@ho | Miami, Fl. U.S.A. | 07/26/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The orchestra,and sound are great on both albums. I guess ms. Alfaro was one of those artists who saw how famous Yma Sumac had become and liked to do something along the same line. Listening to this album is a must by any fifties Cuban music lovers."