When I was six years old my father got a brand new high-fi sound system with huge, miraculously clean and rich sounding speakers. CD players were relatively new at the time, and we only had a few cds. One of the ones he used to play was this one. I have memories of listening this cd with him and being absolutely mezmorized by the vocals, which can only be described as magical. Since then I have heard many more vocals by the great Linda Ronstadt (perhaps most notably her unbelievable singing in the movie version of The Pirates of Penzance). But this album holds a special place in my heart. This cd was made back the days when high-fi really WAS high-fi. When the crystal-clear cd-audio was used to full effect. This cd is perfectly balanced, perfectly mastered. Truly amazing.

The vocals on this cd are just plain mind-blowing. They are what makes Linda Ronstadt one of my favorite singers. She can hold huge high notes with just the right amount of vibrato (at the top of her lungs) for what I would consider an insanely long period of time. But she doesn't sing just to impress. She sings from her heart.

If you love Linda Ronstadt, you need this album. If you love classic Spanish music, you need this album. If you just appreciate great singing, you need this album. Truly of the all-time greats.

30 of 31 found the following review helpful:


Tu Solo Tu, Linda!  Aug 18, 2001 By Daniel Olivas
"Canciones de mi Padre" is simply more than one singer re-doing Mexican classics. Ronstadt's versions of "Por un Amor," "Tu Solo Tu," and "Y Andale" raise the stakes high: she sings these songs as if they were just written for her beautiful, soaring voice. Crisply and authentically produced by Peter Asher and Ruben Fuentes, this CD is as much a perfect introduction to traditional Mexican rancheras as it is a fine addition to those who mistakenly believe their CD collection is complete. And when Linda hits those high, long notes in "La Charreada," ay! I can feel my abuelita smiling up in heaven!

14 of 14 found the following review helpful:


Outstanding job, Linda, muy bien!  Mar 23, 2000 By Evelyn Nathan
I bought this CD when I started listening to Mexican music a short while ago and love it so much I ordered Mas Canciones within the month, just got Frenesi today. I read one or two reviews putting her down for this...why? Putting down the 'ay ay ay's" ...why? This is mariachi! I like her better doing this than country or 40's, it really rings true.The songs are lovely, lyrical, will make you cry even if you can't understand them. Try listening to Dos Arbolitos and you'll be won over! Her 2 brothers are also fabulous on this and on Mas Canciones. They should put out an album of their own. You'll love it. Buy it.

15 of 17 found the following review helpful:


Beautiful homage to her father's culture  Nov 04, 2005 By Paul J. Escamilla "sentient being"
Like Linda Ronstadt, I'm from the United States, but I grew up hearing my father play the music of his native land, Mexico.

I was a child of 70's & 80's rock and it took me many years to finally come around to appreciating Mexican folk music and culture. This awesome album by Linda Ronstadt was one of the reasons. I guess it took hearing a familiar voice and modern production values for me to finally hear this beautiful music as something alive and not merely some faded memory from the past. (Another album that helped, and which I highly recommend, is "La Pistola Y El Corazon" by Los Lobos.)

In any case, I am so thankful to Linda for making this album and opening my ears, for igniting my appreciation and love for the folk music of Mexico.

Not being an expert or native Mexican, I wouldn't presume to compare Linda to the great native singers from Mexico's past (Lucha Reyes, Lola Beltran, etc) or present. Whether she is as good as them or not, I can't say. But I do know that I love this album with a passion, and I can't recommend it highly enough to anyone who wants to discover the great music of Mexico.

7 of 7 found the following review helpful:


Inspired music from inspiring artist!  Aug 08, 2002 By J. Friedman "J-F"
Though Linda Ronstadt's singing career has led me through an exhaustive exploration of many different styles of music, I never tire of growing along with her. This album and its follow-up, Mas Canciones, are cultural masterpieces and an homage to Linda's own Mexican heritage.

The songs are alternately sad and joyful, heart-rending and exuberant. When my kids were younger and we'd pack them 3-across in the backseat of our little Toyota, where they'd scream at each other and jockey for space, I would put on one of the two Canciones cassettes and Linda's music would never fail to bring them in line and have us all singing "Toro, toro, toro-o-o-o-!" or one of the other great ranchera songs that Linda introduced to us.

There has never been anyone in popular music who has so enriched our culture as Linda Ronstadt has. From early rock and folk rock to country-rock and pure C&W, from Gilbert & Sullivan to Puccini, from Nelson Riddle pop standards to lullabies and kids'-movie theme songs, and from Guadalajara to Havana and back, Linda seems to have no fear of blazing new trails for the modern American senses. How boring these past 35 years of popular music would have been without her!

I don't think Linda Ronstadt has ever received the recognition she deserves for just pure musical courage and an absolutely priceless taste in genres and styles. Buy Canciones de Mi Padre now, and grab a copy of Mas Canciones while you're at it!

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