[.ca] Mi Tierra

Amazon.com essential recording:
Cuban American singer Gloria Estefan was a mainstream pop balladeer and dance music queen who happened to be Latina before taking a surprising turn in Mi Tierra and reclaiming her roots. Singing in Spanish, impeccably produced and backed by a superb ensemble that includes 79-year-old maestro Israel Lopez "Cachao" on bass (he is only the creator of mambo itself), arranger Juanito Marquez, and singer and percussionst Luis Enrique, Estefan delivers worthy reinterpretations and updates of traditional Afro-Cuban styles. It might be too smooth for traditionalists--who may also object to Estefan's delivery, not that of classic sonera--but as an introduction to the music, it is engaging and the playing of the ensemble is true and impeccable. --Fernando Gonzalez

enchantment:
this album is almost musically autobiographical material-wise. "Mi Tierra" - the pull of being separated from one's roots & the desire to one day return.... "with the years that I have left" - an absolutely, completely beautiful ode to one's true love, & the promise of eternity. "ayer" - looking back on early romance, & wishing to retain this, also a prayer to peace, freedom & happiness "you'll be back" - the assurance that the one you love who has left you, will see the light & return to you, some day.... "mi buen amor" - my true love, pondering on different kinds of love, & the truth: nothing comes close to true love. "let's speak the same language" (put your hand in my hand, my brother) - could be identified as a prayer for a peaceful world, with understanding & respect of one another's beliefs, customs, religion, etc,........ altogether, an incredibly personal/traditional album, but also a very magical one.

the best of Gloria!:
I would say this is her best cd ever!. Tierra is a beautiful song that highlights cuban roots in a very special way. "Mi buen amor" is simply a beautiful ballad! "Ayer" wow>>another hit! This cd is entirely worth buying. Soy cubana , y cada vez que escucho este cd me siento mas orgullosa de serlo!

Afrocubanismo for the masses:
An astonishingly assured effort by Gloria Estefan, considered by many Gloriaphiles to be her best work. This sounds like an album of Afrocubanismo standards, like Linda Ronstadt's "Frenesi." Unlike Ms. Ronstadt's masterpiece, however, the songs on "Mi Tierra" are mostly original songs, many written by Gloria herself or by the great Estefano (who has written hits for Chayanne, Azucar Moreno, Paulina Rubio, Thalia, etc.). "Con los anos que me quedan" starts the CD off with a powerfully emotional ballad about making the most of life, fitting for an artist who survived a near-fatal bus crash. "Mi tierra" is Estefano's tribute to Gloria's homeland, and it wisely addresses it from a nostalgic, rather than political, perspective. "Ayer" is a lovely piece by Juanito Marquez, with a gorgeous chorus like the gentle lapping of warm ocean waves. "Mi buen amor" is another gentle Estefano song, this time with a gorgeous flute accompaniment by Nestor Torres. "Tus ojos" is lively and dancey, co-written by Emilio, who is often the rhythm behind Gloria's melodies. "No hay mal que por bien no venga," written by Cachao, has some gorgeous vocals by Jon Secada as well as stirring strings and woodwinds. It sounds very big band. "Si senor!" is a fiesty, fiery "son" of a song, seemingly infused with "la aroma de albahaca y hierbabuena" of Cuba and the beautiful Cuban people. "Volveras" slows down the pace, giving Gloria an opportunity to torch it up a bit. Not one of my favourite songs on the CD, this piece is nonetheless a great showcase for Gloria's voice. "Montuno" is another irresistable "son," written by Marquez. "Hablemos el mismo idioma" and "Tradicion," both co-written by the Estefans and thus deeply personal, are completely infused with movement and joy. The former reminds me of "Oye mi canto" from "Cuts Both Ways." In between these lively songs, we have the slow, sultry "Hablas de mi," another perfect showcase for Gloria's range. "Tradicion" is a perfect song to end on, since it expresses the credo of the Estefans: to continue the musical traditions of their forebears--Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Israel Lopez Cachao, Arturo Sandoval, etc. This CD manages to mix these Cuban influences with the old crew from Miami Sound Machine, add some great songwriting, and it all amounts to one of the greatest Latin language CDs of our time.

A tribute to modern Cuban music:
Mi Tierra is such a special, sincere, romantic and most of all a very Cuban album. In the market now for 10 years and still has its musical magic comparable to the first time that I listened to this production. No doubt this is one of her most complete albums and perhaps her best in the category of tropical music. Gloria Estefan has always been a renowned singer in English and if I am not mistaken Mi Tierra is her first Spanish album and who would of thought that it would be so successful. This cd has various Cuban rhythms like son, traditional, boleros and salsa. The album has 12 songs in total and they are all wonderful. Once you start listening to the album there will be no need to stop. The first song will really coax you into listening to the rest of the recording. It's a very romantic bolero and at the same time very inspiring and well sung by Gloria which will leave you motivated to listen to the rest of the songs. There are very danceable ones such as the forever popular "Mi Tierra" as well as 'Ayer" and "Hablemos el mismo idioma". Mi Tierra is one of those albums that has no time frame because the songs will live forever and this music has no boundaries. It's for anyone who knows how to appreciate the beauty that it has to offer. I hope Gloria produces more Spanish albums. I think she was born to sing in her native language! Try to ascertain a copy while you can. This is wonderful tribute to Spanish music, people and culture! Arriba Cuba!

A Spanish Lily:
The lovely shot of Gloria your looking at is not misleading. The music inside is just as beautiful as the artist. Gloria has long used Spanish music to let her artistic soul flourish and this is her luxuriant masterpiece. This album is filled with beauty. If you love music and you want to hear the best of what it has to offer then this is a perfect place to start. Once the beautiful "With the Years that I have Left" starts we are transported to an elegant and exotic club somewhere in South America. The glossy hardwood counters are polished to perfection and the cherry finish complements the sego palms nicely as wine glasses are filled with only the best. Gloria's rich and emotional voice surrounds the room and is backed by a lush orchestra and breezy Spanish guitars. So great is this Spanish Lily we can feel Gloria moving around the room in this opulent club and smiling as she passes by our small table. The songs move from love of one's homeland to romantic love lost, waiting, and everything in-between. Gloria fills this room with her magical phrasing of a beautiful language. We hear so many wonderful songs we dare not leave and miss a moment. There are songs of forgiveness and hope, and songs of true love and hanging on 'till the one lost to you returns. One song, the light and playful "Si Senor!", has a whole Andrew Sisters kind of sound and feel to it. One of the prettier songs we hear before our time in this Spanish paradise is over is "Volveras" (You'll Be Back). Gloria knows the man she has given her heart to who now wants to foolishly leave her for another will be back because he can't erase her memory. But we know it's only a song. No one would be foolish enough to leave this Spanish flower. The night is almost over and we must return to our hotel. But what we've seen and heard has enriched and expanded our world. We want to come back once in awhile to feel like this again. Lucky for us we own this little keepsake of our time with Gloria in Spanish paradise....

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