Ruben Blades Escenas CD

Ruben Blades Y Seis Del Solar: Ruben Blades (vocals, percussion); Oscar Hernandez, Ricardo Marrero (keyboards); Eddy Montalvo, Ralph Irizarry, Louis Rivera, Robert Ameen (percussion); Cliff Carter, Dean Bailen (programming).
Additional personnel: Linda Ronstadt (vocals); Joe Jackson (keyboards).
Producers: Oscar Hernandez, Mike Vinas, Ricardo Marrero.
There's a lot going on here, aside from Blades's agreeable duet with Linda Ronstadt and the Joe Jackson solo, which got the press. Besides, pianist Ricardo Marrero has long been on many "most-underrated" lists. ~ John Storm Roberts, Original Music
ESCENAS follows on the heels of the epic BUSCANDO AMERICA with another powerful, if dire, dose of Ruben Blades' socially-conscious salsa-pop, backed again by the dynamic Son Del Solar. The album clearly makes a crossover bid with guest appearances by Linda Ronstadt and Joe Jackson, as well as bilingual lyrics in the package. As the title suggests, the material here paints scenes from Blades' typically keen barrio perspective.
Opening ESCENAS on an introspective note is "Cuentas Del Alma," a moving portrayal of a mother's fear of the dark and endless pining for her departed husband. To the sound of synth-wails and a salsa-inflected pop beat, Blades intones with dreadful finality the words, "heart dues can never be paid in full." The dirge-like "Tierra Dura" captures the dry, desperate famine of mid-'80s Ethiopia in both lyric and tone, with slowly-passing images of unforgiving deserts and a mournful melody. Moving into funkier territory, "Sorpresas" is the tough sequel to Blades' revered "Pedro Navaja" with its clever tale of thieves, deception, and the barrio night. "Silencios" is Blades' balladic duet with Linda Ronstadt, extra sugar cubes included.

Live Recording