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'' EXCELLENT PRODUCTION. CONGRATULATIONS! JOSE LUIS RIOS HAS A STUPENDOUS VOICE CAPABLE OF ANY VOCAL CHALLENGE. MUSICALLY MAGNIFICENT ! '' Carlos Almenar Otero - Internationally recognized singer, teacher of voice, and talent Judge on TV"S '' CUANTO VALE EL SHOW'' and ''BUSCANDO ESTRELLAS'' ============================================== '' HE AQUI TEMAS QUE SE INSPIRAN EN LOS MAS PROFUNDOS SENTIMIENTOS DEL AMOR'' Jose Toro - Poeta / Critico de arte. --------------------------------------------------------------- '' En cuanto la letra, la musica, y la presentacion, estos nuevos temas son de optima calidad.'' Carlos Almenar Otero - Artist, Critic, and Teacher. --------------------------------------------------------------- - THE STORY OF HOW THIS PROJECT CAME TO BE REALIZED - A Narrative Interview With Composer Ricardo Dominguez By Raul Segura Variations or changes of one kind or another are common in most popular musical styles - and the bolero has been no exception. Performances and creative inspiration have varied with different vocalists, groups, and composers - often influenced by the age and the cultures in which they lived. In addition, critics have noted that there are both similarities and differences in the boleros from the Caribbean, Spain, Central, and South America . But some characteristics remain constant. Says featured composer/ songwriter Ricardo Dominguez, '' I have always been drawn to the subtle yet powerful melodic lines, sophisticated lyrics, and sensual percussive rhythms that typically define the Latin bolero.'' It occurred to the composer that it could be possible to maintain these essential musical elements and still evolve stylistically within that form, as had been done in the past. And this was the idea that began this project. At first the composer was naturally resistant to the idea of any tonal changes involving large orchestrations and untraditional instrumentation. He realized many bolero lovers would also be resistant to any unfamiliar changes to that very familiar musical style. '' But if a full orchestra with strings, woodwinds, and brass were used to highlight the elemental spirit and color of the bolero - maybe not.'' And maybe a full instrumentation might have a more universal appeal for non hispanics. Or so he thought. The fact that something similar had been done long ago to the Spanish bolero by Ravel never entered his mind, since he wanted to keep his work within the popular character and color of the Latin bolero. Taking a chance, in spite of today’s more aggressive music scene, the composer considered it a challenge to try his hand at composing new boleros. Looking back he says, “ When thinking of writing boleros, I did not want to write ''musical clones '' of boleros and baladas that were already famous and familiar, no matter how much I was influenced by them.’’ He considered the varied tonal colors and orchestral sounds available to us today that were not easily available to our musical ancestors. ‘’ In my mind, to use these brighter contemporary colors was not necessarily to break with the bolero tradition. I thought of it as an evolution, not a revolution.'' '' Above all I wanted to keep - even to highlight - the emotive character of the bolero ; what better way than with full orchestral coloring. The most difficult part for me as a songwriter, was writing the kind of 'flowery' sophisticated lyrics typically part of traditional boleros.’’ Ric’s lyrics are often based on metaphysical imagery. In one bolero, “NO SE TE OLVIDE†an abandoned lover compares his love to the colors in a diamond which will never stop sparkling. Inâ€TE SIENTO†a lover senses the presence of his absent loved one comparing his remembrance of her to the sweet perfume of a flower. In “LAS OLAS DEL AMOR†a lover compares the power of love to the power of ocean waves in which he is about to drown. In ‘’ESTE NUEVO DIA’’ he compares a new Love to the dawning of a new day. This song was also made to commemorate the victims of 9/11. In ‘’PIENSO EN TI’’ remembering a loved one is the light that guides and illuminates a lover’s dark existence. And so on...and so on... He was aware that this was like commercial suicide in today's music marketplace which is often aggressive and edgy - often corporately designed to target adolescent preferences - even within the Latin music scene. He knew he would be writing for a niche audience of discriminating music lovers with high standards and expectations. That in itself would be a challenge, since as humans beings we tend to stick with what is already familiar. He accepted the fact that this music would not be for everyone - only for those open-minded music lovers whose tastes are not limited to what is ‘’in’’ or to what is familiar. I commented to the composer that this is why throughout history there have been starving artists - money alone has not always been an all encompassing incentive to their art, or vision. Sometimes, unfortunately, it takes a long time for even small differences to be appreciated and accepted. '' Putting commercial matters aside, I decided to continue with the project. I rationalized that maybe one reason the bolero has endured for so long is because it has evolved throughout its history, while still keeping its basic musical appeal.’’ So explained the composer, adding ‘’ May it always continue to do so.’’ As a personal aside, when these new compositions have been performed live, it has been thrilling to witness the public's reaction, which has included standing ovations. '' I thank God for it every time. It means the music has been effective '' It is disappointing that few original boleros, for whatever reason, are being written today. Those that are recorded are often covers from the past. It is truly a sad situation when, to find music with class and sophistication, we must look to the past - when presently so much that is heard on the radio is often uninspiring or corporately hyped. Because fewer and fewer are written, our hope is that the Latin bolero never goes by way of the waltz into beloved musical obscurity due to ever changing, often coarse and coarsening, commercial tastes. Concludes the composer, ‘’ We hope you enjoy our efforts. Thank you for your visit and support. We invite you to please listen to our sample demos. Our thanks also to Carlos Almenar Otero and Jose Toro for their professional critiques. And our thanks to God for His gift of music unto man.'' Track List: 1. NO SE TE OLVIDE (De Me Pensar) Bolero 2. DIME QUE ME QUIERES -Bolero 3. CERCA DE TI - Balada 4. DIJISTE - Bolero 5. PORQUE TU ERES TU - Bolero 6. SOLO TU -Bolero de Boda (instrumental) 7. TE SIENTO - Bolero 8. LAS OLAS DEL AMOR - Balada 9. PIENSO EN TI - Bolero 10. DIME QUE ME QUIERES -Tech. dance mix 11. ESTE NUEVO DIA - Conmemorando las victimas del terrorismo. 12. Este Nuevo Dia - Himno Conmemorativo (version Breve) Other Genres:
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