Track Listing

1. El Cantante
2. Mi Gente
3. Che Che Col�
4. Peri�dico De Ayer
5. El Dia De Suerte
6. Qu� L�o
7. Aguanile
8. Todo Tiene Su Final
9. T� Bien Lo Sabes
10. Plato De Segunda Mesa
11. No Hay Qui�n Te Aguante
12. Para�so de Dulzura
13. Llor�
14. Mi Gente (Louie Vega EOL Remix-Radio Edit)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #46091 in Music
• Released on: 2007-07-03
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Dimensions: .16 pounds

Album Description
Héctor Lavoé continues to be source of tributes, covers, drama, and films. This collection of carefully remastered original songs affirms that the attention is well deserved. It features some of the classic hits he recorded together with Willie Colón, such as the rhythmically inventive "Che Che Colá" and "Aguanile." "Mi Gente" was the song in live performances that would celebrate his direct connection and empathy with people. "El Cantante," written for Lavoé by Rubén Blades, is reflective of his love for his vocation as a singer for the people. "El Dia De Suerte," "Todo Tiene Su Final," "Lloré," and "Plato de Segunda Mesa" are songs that speak about how to cope with bad luck, fate, death, betrayal, suffering, and uncertainty. These were all ingredients to Héctor's life, yet there is nothing sad in the music. On the contrary, his music is a celebration of life that inspires dancing. The influence of Lavoé will continue to be felt in the Latin music world, but nothing beats listening to this remastered original.

Amazon.com
Héctor Lavoe (1946-1993) was born Héctor Juan Pérez in Ponce, Puerto Rico, and became known to his fans simply as El Cantante (the singer). His hectic career began when he moved to New York City as a teenager and headlined with Willie Colôn's band and, later, with the Fania All-Stars. But despite a series of hits that culminated in a 1987 Grammy nomination for his final album, Strikes Back, his posthumous reputation was not nearly so widespread as it deserved to be. Then, in 2006, he became the subject of a film biography, also called El Cantante, which is now available on DVD. Starring the modern Latin-and-crossover superstar Marc Anthony, and featuring his pop star wife, Jennifer Lopez, as Lavoe's long-suffering and endlessly loyal mate, Nilda "Puchi" Roman, it captures much of the gritty, mesmerizing yet poetic urban ambience that launched his tragic but ultimately triumphant legacy. The present album gathers together several of Lavoe's most iconic tunes, many of which were covered by Anthony in the movie. However, with all due props to the younger artist, Lavoe's own interpretations are still the ones to beat. Showcased in selections composed by Johnny Pacheco and Rubén Blades, among others, and produced by Willie Colôn, his lifelong friend and collaborator, his creamy, resonant tenor, flawless phrasing, and improvisatory zeal are so incandescently organic that he never seems to break a sweat--even as he wrings every possible iota of lyric, rhythmic and emotional truth from each tune. --Christina Roden

About the Artist
A great among greats, this great artist's life was marked by a tragic destiny. Héctor Lavoe's interest in music began in his native Puerto Rico. In search of new opportunities, he traveled to New York with a suitcase full of dreams and the firm goal of landing a job in the music world. The road ahead was not an easy one. There were many obstacles to overcome, and the price was high, as it often is for immigrants. He held down precarious day jobs for bad pay; but at night, he gave free rein to his dreams, performing in various night clubs. Johnny Pacheco happened to hear him perform at one of those night clubs. In Lavoe he discovered a powerful voice and the easiest of manners. He was so impressed that he told Willie Colón he had found a singer for the recording of his first album, "El malo." The combination of Héctor Lavoe and Willie Colón enriched the world of salsa and set the stage for their collaboration, which lasted seven years. It also gave birth to 10 albums, full of vibrant songs that spoke the language of the street, a type of musical narrative that the public identified with, one that cemented salsa as a genre. In 1975, Fania Records decided to launch its singers with the most hits as soloists. Thus began a new phase of Héctor Lavoe's career, just as brilliant and successful, boasting the release of many albums that are now part of his rich musical legacy. His life was an open book, each page of which documented the tragedy and heartbreak that marked and influenced the rise and fall of his brilliant professional career. Héctor Lavoe died on June 29, 1993, at 46.

Grande entre los grandes, y marcado por el trágico sino que el destino les tiene reservado, fue imagen y semejanza la vida de este gran artista. Héctor Lavoe inició sus inquietudes artísticas en su Puerto Rico natal. Pero en busca de nuevas oportunidades y ampliar su horizonte, viaja a Nueva York con un equipaje de sueños y el firme propósito de labrarse un lugar en la música. El camino a transitar no le fue fácil, fueron muchos los obstáculos que tuvo que superar y pagar el alto precio que todo intento le tiene reservado a los inmigrantes. Trabajos precarios y mal remunerados durante el día, y por las noches, darle rienda suelta a sus sueños presentándose en clubes nocturnos. En una de aquellas presentaciones, coincide con el Maestro Johnny Pacheco que lo escucha cantar. Descubre en él, una voz potente y un personalísimo modo de comunicar. Tan impresionado quedó, que le habló a Willie Colón que buscaba un vocalista para la grabación de su primer álbum "El Malo" La fusión de Héctor Lavoe y Willie Colón, enriqueció el género salsero y marcaría pautas de una unión que duró siete años, y diera como fruto una rica cosecha de la que se derivaron diez producciones con un contenido de temas vibrantes que hablaban el lenguaje del hombre de la calle, una especie de narrativa musical con la que se identificó el público y solidificaría la salsa como género. En 1975 el sello Fania decide lanzar a sus cantantes de más éxitos como solistas. De este modo, Héctor Lavoe inicia una nueva etapa en su carrera, no menos brillante y exitosa con el lanzamiento de varias producciones que ya son parte de su rico legado musical. Su vida, un libro abierto en el que escribiera en cada una de sus páginas, trágicas y desgarradoras vivencias en el aspecto personal que lo marcaron e influyeron en la decadencia y ocaso de su brillante carrera profesional. Héctor Lavoe muere el 29 de junio de 1993 a los cuarenta y siete años.

Customer Reviews

Nothing like Lavoe's originals
I also purchased the soundtrack for the movie "El Cantante" and was sorely disappointed. The new musical arrangements by Sergio George for this movie have gutted the original classic salsa sound. There is barely a remnant of the cencerro (cowbell) and the clave (the two sticks), two percussion instruments essential to any salsa brava, as all of Hector's songs were.

A must have for all Salsa fans
For those of you getting to know Hector Lavoe, this is a great starter album. The move "El Cantante" has renewed an interest in the original pioneers of salsa like Lavoe, and this album compliments the movie very well. Sure, you can get Marc Anthony's rendition of the genius and his songs, but you should always start out with the original.

Very Good... but windows does not display titles correctly
Those who like Hector Lavoe will enjoy this cd. Although the quality is not excellent (I heard the original LP in one of my neighbor's sound system and liked the sound and was amazed by the coda of Periodico de Ayer, an almost classical part at the end of the song with violins which lamentably is not included in this CD.)
I also like Dia de Suerte. How the chorus begins at "destiempo"... had not noticed it? uhmm.