By Fernie Ruano Jr.
Chatting up worldly Colombian pop star Carlos Vives in the backroom of a ritzy-Miami hotel, even if the conversation is clouded by giddy publicists and cigarette smoke, can leisurely transition from his routine in the studio to a calming lesson, fused of politics and spirituality. And a viable lesson, too, if you’re appreciative of a man deeply-ingrained in his musical roots stretching from Bogota’s heart-wrenching ballads to the Indian rhythms of the Andes and accordion-laced vallenato of the coast.
That’s why time is always of the essence, whether it’s 2006 0r 2013 and you’re talking to Vives, who won two Latin Grammy awards in November , including “Best Contemporary Tropical Album” for “Mas+ Corazon Profundo”, released earlier this year.
Touched by stardom as a soap opera star long before becoming his native country’s most recognizable exponent of rock and pop-fused vallenato – albeit a controversial one with Colombia’s traditionalists – “ Clasicos de la Provencia”, Vives’ 1993 album, became a huge success in Colombia and all over Latin America, while “La Gota Fria”, the album’s lead single, became an international hit, propelling the singer/songwriter to new heights. Vives won a Latin Grammy for “Best Album of the Year” as the song became a timeless classic all over the world.
His experimentational tendencies in the studio would continue through the decade, most notably with “La Tierra del Olvido”, an album in which Vives fell deeper into his roots by fusing pop, funk and rock. The soothing and groovy title track gave Vives another timeless classic, as did the rambunctious and moving “Pa’Mayte”. In “Corazon Profundo”, as in most of his discography, Vives sings about striving for heartfelt dreams, being moved by love and appreciation for life, which rings through in “Volvi a Nacer”.
Carlos Vives performs at 8 p.m. Saturday at the AmericanAirlines Arena (601 Biscayne Boulevard, 786-777-1000, www.aaarena.com)
Related Link: http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2005-08-11/music/carlos-vives/
Do you want to know more about this 305-reeking, beach-bumming, Cuban food-obsessed dude? Well, then.. You can connect with Fernie @wordbyfernie (Twitter) and Fernie Ruano (Facebook). Who knows? If he really likes you, he might even give you his email.
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