Editorial Reviews

There's fine music here, and on the accompanying discs in the series, which delve into the music of Cuba, Brazil, and Spain. But you must overlook the klutzy marketing to get at it. The Greatest Songs Ever might suggest a useful overview of essential works from Mexico, which occupies a lofty place in the history of Latin American song, but even a cursory look reveals that these are not classic artists by any means. Some are comparatively new, some are not even Mexican. While modern interpretations of standards would be welcome, the tune selection is wildly arbitrary. Do songs by Lila Downs and Los de Abajo stack up against "Volar, Volar," "Cucurrucucú Paloma," or "La Bamba"? No, they don't. Indicative of the slapdash presentation is that the huapango "El Rogaciano" is spelled wrong throughout the package. That caveat aired, the collection lives up to Petrol Records' pledge of "seriously good music." If only more general world music compilations had the good sense to include under-the-radar acts such as Austin, Texas' Grupo Fantasma and Rick Treviño. Solid performances from Linda Ronstadt's popular Mexican recordings, as well as appearances from the mariachis Cobre and Vargas de Tacalitlán, make for a lush listening experience. Only those who wish to delve deeper will be disappointed in The Greatest Songs Ever. Mark Schwartz, Barnes & Noble

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