El Rock de Mi Pueblo
Encyclopedia
El Rock de Mi Pueblo is the sixth major-label album by Colombian
singer/composer Carlos Vives
.
Released on August 31, 2004 it is Vives's eleventh album overall (when counting earlier releases). Nominated for two Grammys, and winner of Contemporary Tropical Album, the long-awaited follow up to Déjame Entrar
contained his fourth #1 hit (Como Tú). The album is a stylistic change musically for Vives, who along with returning producer Emilio Estefan, Jr., created a progressive fusion where rock was at the forefront, while vallenato
took a more backseat.
would become a pioneer in revolutionizing the sound of the Colombian
vallenato
into modern music. His fame made him Colombia’s biggest breakout star, transfixing audiences of all ages into his fusion of vallenato, updated with a rock sound. Later, two successful collaborations with famed producer Emilio Estefan, Jr. helped Vives reach new heights in his career, both critically and commercially. Both albums, El Amor de Mi Tierra
(1999), and Déjame Entrar
(2001), turned out to be massive sellers, producing three #1 Billboard
hits on the Latin
charts, and received numerous award nominations, including two Grammy wins. With Vives on a career high, he and Estefan got back together to work on their third album collaboration. The result would mark a change in Vives’s sound.
With each album Carlos released in his twenty year career, there was an evident progression in sound and style. From his days as a synth-ballad singer, to his breakout covering vallenato hits, to introspective songwriting, and finally catchy pop, each album, despite the classic fusion of vallenato and rock, had its own style and identity. It would be with this release where Vives would show another new change in approach in his music altogether.
When El Rock de Mi Pueblo (The Rock of My People) finally showed up three years after Déjame Entrar
, Vives, along with new blonde dreadlocks, brought a new experimental sound. While the album title represented the strength of Latin culture, the “Rock” was the definitive sound on this album. With fellow Colombians Juanes
and Shakira
becoming stars in their own right, their own Latin Rock hybrid had become popular with audiences throughout the world; making the long-awaited release of Carlos’s new album high with anticipation. What listeners discovered was an album much different from the Carlos they were accustomed to, an album that above all else, represented a sonic reinvention in Carlos’s musical style. Whereas the accordion would be the sound by which Vives’s music was rooted in, it would be the prominence of rock guitar and drums in this album that had vallenato
playing second-fiddle.
The album’s first single and opener "Comu Tú" (Like You) was released and instantly became a smash, reaching the top spot of the Billboard
Hot Latin Tracks at #1. Co-written with La Provincia's pianist Carlos Ivan Medina and guitarist Andrés Castro, the three would be instrumental in sharing songwriting duties with Vives. The song begins with Andrés Castro's electric guitar playing a few chords, then Egidio Cuadrado joins in, harmonizing with Castro’s riffs. To add to the eclecticism of song and album itself, Vives makes prominent use of the harmonica, giving a bluesier feel. The chorus is pure pop, with the infectious chants of Vives’s “Tu, tu, tu, mi vida eterna!”. The song was a perfect example of what the album had to offer, an experimental mix of hard rock, blues, and a touch of vallenato.
Vives’s willingness to delve into different musical genres provided for styles unassociated with his prior work. During a 2005 tour, many were surprised to find Vives sharing a bill with Daddy Yankee
, his collaborator on the reggeaton remix of “Comu Tú”. Other artists got involved putting Vives’s music into nightclubs, with the Paul Oakenfold
remix of “Comu Tú” becoming a popular hit, managing to reach #26 on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club charts. Giving the album an extra boost was the new mix version of the rock ballad “Voy A Olvidarme de Mi” (I’m Going to Forget Myself), which managed to reach the #10 spot on the Billboard Hot Latin charts. Standards from the album include “Fuerza del Amor” (Power of Love), the title track, an example of the album's Hard Rock sound; “Santa Marta-Kingston-New Orleans” a song that gels three different genres (vallenato
, reggae
, jazz
), and songs such as “Gallito de Caramelo” which are a complete throwback to the “classic” Vives sound of vallenato.
El Rock de Mi Pueblo brought mostly positive reaction from critics and fans alike. Many older fans were mixed on Vives’s new direction, while critics praised Carlos for reaching new horizons in his career. The album received a Grammy nomination for Best Latin
Pop Album, and won the Grammy for Contemporary Tropical Album. It remains Carlos’s most experimental release in his discography
.
Technical Credits
Colombian people
Colombian people are from a multiethnic Spanish speaking nation in South America called Colombia. Colombians are predominantly Roman Catholic and are a mixture of Europeans, Africans, and Amerindians.-Demography:...
singer/composer Carlos Vives
Carlos Vives
Carlos Alberto Vives Restrepo is a Grammy Award and three-time Latin Grammy Award winning-Colombian singer, composer and actor.-Biography:...
.
Released on August 31, 2004 it is Vives's eleventh album overall (when counting earlier releases). Nominated for two Grammys, and winner of Contemporary Tropical Album, the long-awaited follow up to Déjame Entrar
Déjame Entrar
Déjame Entrar is the fifth major-label album by Colombian singer/composer Carlos Vives.Released on October 9, 2001 it is Vives's tenth album overall . Following the same formula that made El Amor de Mi Tierra a success, Vives and producer Emilio Estefan, Jr...
contained his fourth #1 hit (Como Tú). The album is a stylistic change musically for Vives, who along with returning producer Emilio Estefan, Jr., created a progressive fusion where rock was at the forefront, while vallenato
Vallenato
Vallenato, along with cumbia, is currently a popular folk music of Colombia. It primarily comes from the Colombia's Caribbean region. Vallenato literally means "born in the valley". The valley influencing this name is located between the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and the Serranía de Perijá in...
took a more backseat.
Overview
In the early 90’s, Carlos VivesCarlos Vives
Carlos Alberto Vives Restrepo is a Grammy Award and three-time Latin Grammy Award winning-Colombian singer, composer and actor.-Biography:...
would become a pioneer in revolutionizing the sound of the Colombian
Colombian people
Colombian people are from a multiethnic Spanish speaking nation in South America called Colombia. Colombians are predominantly Roman Catholic and are a mixture of Europeans, Africans, and Amerindians.-Demography:...
vallenato
Vallenato
Vallenato, along with cumbia, is currently a popular folk music of Colombia. It primarily comes from the Colombia's Caribbean region. Vallenato literally means "born in the valley". The valley influencing this name is located between the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and the Serranía de Perijá in...
into modern music. His fame made him Colombia’s biggest breakout star, transfixing audiences of all ages into his fusion of vallenato, updated with a rock sound. Later, two successful collaborations with famed producer Emilio Estefan, Jr. helped Vives reach new heights in his career, both critically and commercially. Both albums, El Amor de Mi Tierra
El Amor de Mi Tierra
El Amor de Mi Tierra is the fourth major-label album by Colombian singer/composer Carlos Vives.Released on October 19, 1999 it is Vives's ninth album overall . The album was a return to form for Vives, after the darker and more introspective Tengo Fe...
(1999), and Déjame Entrar
Déjame Entrar
Déjame Entrar is the fifth major-label album by Colombian singer/composer Carlos Vives.Released on October 9, 2001 it is Vives's tenth album overall . Following the same formula that made El Amor de Mi Tierra a success, Vives and producer Emilio Estefan, Jr...
(2001), turned out to be massive sellers, producing three #1 Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
hits on the Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
charts, and received numerous award nominations, including two Grammy wins. With Vives on a career high, he and Estefan got back together to work on their third album collaboration. The result would mark a change in Vives’s sound.
With each album Carlos released in his twenty year career, there was an evident progression in sound and style. From his days as a synth-ballad singer, to his breakout covering vallenato hits, to introspective songwriting, and finally catchy pop, each album, despite the classic fusion of vallenato and rock, had its own style and identity. It would be with this release where Vives would show another new change in approach in his music altogether.
When El Rock de Mi Pueblo (The Rock of My People) finally showed up three years after Déjame Entrar
Déjame Entrar
Déjame Entrar is the fifth major-label album by Colombian singer/composer Carlos Vives.Released on October 9, 2001 it is Vives's tenth album overall . Following the same formula that made El Amor de Mi Tierra a success, Vives and producer Emilio Estefan, Jr...
, Vives, along with new blonde dreadlocks, brought a new experimental sound. While the album title represented the strength of Latin culture, the “Rock” was the definitive sound on this album. With fellow Colombians Juanes
Juanes
Juan Esteban Aristizábal Vásquez , better known as Juanes is a Colombian musician who was a member of heavy metal band Ekhymosis and is now a solo artist. In 2000, his solo debut album Fíjate Bien won three Latin Grammy Awards.Juanes has sold more than 13 million albums...
and Shakira
Shakira
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll , known professionally as Shakira , is a Colombian singer who emerged in the music scene of Colombia and Latin America in the early 1990s...
becoming stars in their own right, their own Latin Rock hybrid had become popular with audiences throughout the world; making the long-awaited release of Carlos’s new album high with anticipation. What listeners discovered was an album much different from the Carlos they were accustomed to, an album that above all else, represented a sonic reinvention in Carlos’s musical style. Whereas the accordion would be the sound by which Vives’s music was rooted in, it would be the prominence of rock guitar and drums in this album that had vallenato
Vallenato
Vallenato, along with cumbia, is currently a popular folk music of Colombia. It primarily comes from the Colombia's Caribbean region. Vallenato literally means "born in the valley". The valley influencing this name is located between the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and the Serranía de Perijá in...
playing second-fiddle.
The album’s first single and opener "Comu Tú" (Like You) was released and instantly became a smash, reaching the top spot of the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Hot Latin Tracks at #1. Co-written with La Provincia's pianist Carlos Ivan Medina and guitarist Andrés Castro, the three would be instrumental in sharing songwriting duties with Vives. The song begins with Andrés Castro's electric guitar playing a few chords, then Egidio Cuadrado joins in, harmonizing with Castro’s riffs. To add to the eclecticism of song and album itself, Vives makes prominent use of the harmonica, giving a bluesier feel. The chorus is pure pop, with the infectious chants of Vives’s “Tu, tu, tu, mi vida eterna!”. The song was a perfect example of what the album had to offer, an experimental mix of hard rock, blues, and a touch of vallenato.
Vives’s willingness to delve into different musical genres provided for styles unassociated with his prior work. During a 2005 tour, many were surprised to find Vives sharing a bill with Daddy Yankee
Daddy Yankee
Ramón Luis Ayala Rodríguez , known artistically as Daddy Yankee, is a Latin Grammy Award winning Puerto Rican Reggaeton recording artist. Ayala was born in Río Piedras, the largest district of San Juan, where he became interested in music at a young age. In his youth he was interested in baseball,...
, his collaborator on the reggeaton remix of “Comu Tú”. Other artists got involved putting Vives’s music into nightclubs, with the Paul Oakenfold
Paul Oakenfold
Paul Mark Oakenfold is a British record producer and a trance DJ.-Early Career: 1979–84:Paul Oakenfold's career was set to be a chef, after having hopes of becoming part of a band. He describes his early life as a "bedroom deejay" in a podcasted interview with Vancouver's 24 Hours, stating he grew...
remix of “Comu Tú” becoming a popular hit, managing to reach #26 on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club charts. Giving the album an extra boost was the new mix version of the rock ballad “Voy A Olvidarme de Mi” (I’m Going to Forget Myself), which managed to reach the #10 spot on the Billboard Hot Latin charts. Standards from the album include “Fuerza del Amor” (Power of Love), the title track, an example of the album's Hard Rock sound; “Santa Marta-Kingston-New Orleans” a song that gels three different genres (vallenato
Vallenato
Vallenato, along with cumbia, is currently a popular folk music of Colombia. It primarily comes from the Colombia's Caribbean region. Vallenato literally means "born in the valley". The valley influencing this name is located between the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and the Serranía de Perijá in...
, reggae
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
, jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
), and songs such as “Gallito de Caramelo” which are a complete throwback to the “classic” Vives sound of vallenato.
El Rock de Mi Pueblo brought mostly positive reaction from critics and fans alike. Many older fans were mixed on Vives’s new direction, while critics praised Carlos for reaching new horizons in his career. The album received a Grammy nomination for Best Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
Pop Album, and won the Grammy for Contemporary Tropical Album. It remains Carlos’s most experimental release in his discography
Discography
Discography is the study and listing of the details concerning sound recordings, often by specified artists or within identified musical genres...
.
Track listing
- "Como Tú" (C. Medina, C. Vives) – 3:21
- "Maravilla" (A. Castro, C. Vives) – 3:39
- "Maleta de Sueños" (A. Castro, C. Vives) – 3:31
- "Fuerza del Amor" (A. Castro, C. Medina, C. Vives) – 3:24
- "Qué Tiene la Noche" (C. Medina, C. Vives) – 3:54
- "Voy a Olvidarme de Mí" (C. Vives) – 3:34
- "La Llamada" (C. Vives, E. Cuadrado) – 3:38
- "Santa Marta-Kingston-New Orleans" (A. Castro, C. Vives) – 3:50
- "Princesa y el Soldado" (A. Castro, C. Vives) – 4:44
- "Gallito de Caramelo" (C. Vives) – 3:35
- "Rock de Mi Pueblo" (C. Medina, C. Vives) – 3:58
- "El Duro - El Original" (C. Vives) – 1:07
Album credits
Performance Credits- Carlos VivesCarlos VivesCarlos Alberto Vives Restrepo is a Grammy Award and three-time Latin Grammy Award winning-Colombian singer, composer and actor.-Biography:...
- Vocals, Guitar, Choir - Archie Pena - Percussion, Conga, Drums, Redoblante
- Sebastian Krys - Choir
- Mayte Montero - Maracas, Gaita, Guache
- Ramon Benitez - Bombard
- Egidio Cuadrado - Accordion, Choir
- Andrés Castro - Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Charango, Choir
- Carlos Huertas - Choir
- Pablo Bernal - Drums
- Tedoy Mullet - Trombone, Trumpet
- Carlos Ivan Medina - Choir
- Luis Angel - Double Bass, Six-String Bass
- Paquito Hechavarria - Piano
Technical Credits
- Emilio Estefan Jr. - Producer
- Sebastian Krys - Producer
- Andrés Castro - Producer
- Carlos VivesCarlos VivesCarlos Alberto Vives Restrepo is a Grammy Award and three-time Latin Grammy Award winning-Colombian singer, composer and actor.-Biography:...
- Liner Notes - Scott Canto - Engineer
- Mike Couzzi - Engineer
- Bob Ludwig - Mastering
- Kevin Dillon - Logistics
- Mayte Montero - Arranger
- Lucho Correa - Graphic Design
- Egidio Cuadrado - Arranger
- David Heuer - Engineer
- Javier Garza - Engineer
- Steve Menezes - Studio Coordinator
- Jose A. Maldonado - Logistics
- Trevor Fletcher - Studio Coordinator