Olga Tanon Olga Viva, Viva Olga CD

OLGA VIVA, VIVA OLGA was nominated for the 2000 Latin Grammy Award for Best Merengue Performance.

OLGA VIVA, VIVA OLGA won the 2001 Grammy Award for Best Merengue Album.

As WEA Latina often did during Olga Tañón's off years, the label issued a stopgap release in 1999 -- just in time for the holiday season, of course. That year's stopgap, Olga Viva, Viva Olga, is a colorful live recording from a show Tañón performed at House of Blues, Orlando, FL. The recording was released on CD as well as video. It's a colorful recording because of Tañón's zeal: she injects a lot of energy into her performance and goes out of her way to interact with the rapturous audience. Her zeal, along with the set list of fan favorites, compensates somewhat for the poor mixing of the recording. The music never quite stands out like it should, as none of the instruments sound in relief from one another, as if the show were recorded through a single channel and subsequently unmixed. Needless to say, these performances may be full of zeal, but they don't sound nearly as invigorating as their more illuminated studio counterparts. If you don't care much about sound quality, this won't be an issue, because this matter aside, the performance is well documented here for posterity, especially in the video medium. Tañón works her way through a set of hits, including a boogaloo medley halfway through and a nine-minute rendition of "Tu Amor" toward the end that encompasses an array of various rhythms. As enjoyable as Olga Viva, Viva Olga is, especially for devoted fans who will absolutely cherish the between-song banter, there's nothing essential about this release. Olga Viva, Viva Olga is a welcome stopgap release, certainly -- better than yet another less-than-definitive compilation -- but something only devotees should consider. ~ Jason Birchmeier

Recorded live at the House Of Blues, Orlando, Florida on August 26 & 27, 1999.

Personnel: Olga Tanon (vocals); Marcos Rijos, Osvaldo Lopez (guitar); Jose Encarnacion, Jose F. Perez (saxophone); Humberto Ramirez, Jose O. Rivera, Jose M. Ruiz (trumpet); Daniel Fuentes (trombone); Richard Trinidad (piano); Landin Battistini (keyboards); Hector Luis Pagan, Jorge Rodriguez (bass); Hector Matos (drums); Wilfredo Camancho (timbales); Rafael Brito (tambora).