PERLA BATALLA: Discoteca Batalla

Perla Batalla

Discoteca Batalla

© 2002 Perla Batalla (659057289724)

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World-class vocalist Perla Batalla's eagerly awaited follow-up to her award winning Mestiza song cycle is an innovative undertaking of contagious rhythm and pure joy.

tracks

1 Cuando Sale La Luna
2 La Llorona
3 Mexico De Mi Alma
4 Las Mananitas
5 Cine De Llantos
6 Que Te Ha Dado Esa Mujer
7 Reloj
8 Sentimientos
9 Cucurrucucu Paloma
10 Guantanamera
11 La Barca De Oro

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notes

Hearing Perla Batalla's voice for the first time is an epiphany. One may go to hear the songs, but you end up feeling the joy and the pathos in the music like never before. There is a tone, a depth of emotion and a sublime expressiveness along with her transcendent voice that makes the experience unforgettable. One on hand there is that powerful vocal instrument, but on the other is her intelligence and instincts. This combination in Perla makes her singing a true gift.

The seemingly effortless ability to make her music live and breathe is no accident of birth. Nor was it arrived at without much trial and tribulation. It is the product of practice, much experience, a love for singing and the good fortune of being born into a close family that valued the power of song. She was born in Los Angeles, California, to a father immersed in music; a Mexican singer and radio personality who also owned a bustling record store called Discoteca Batalla. At the store, literally at her Mother's knee, Perla was exposed to an education of non-stop music that cut across genres and languages. As a kid she heard everything from Javier Solis and Lucha Reyes to Muddy Waters and John Coltrane.

Her far-ranging influences are reflected in the eclectic choices of songs she writes, arranges and performs today, from traditional Latino melodies to bluesy ballads with a contemporary twist. Yet, it is that voice that brings each song to a new light.

Perla's musical education began in the record store but took on formality as she joined the Lee Strasberg Theater Institute on scholarship and eventually garnered roles in television and feature films doing vocals. Eventually she began touring and singing backup vocals with the legendary Leonard Cohen.

reviews

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  • Disco Teca Batalla
    author: Liz Sohn

    Saw Perla at an awesome night time performance in Las Cruces, NM. I was in awe. Perla, you were absolutely incredible. Love "Reloj" and would like to obtain the words to this beautiful song if possible. You got my boyfriend and I Hooked! Thank You for such beautiful music!

  • author: JULIA ANNE MALLALIEU

    i DON'T THINK I'VE EVER HEARD A MORE BEAUTIFUL VERSION OF EITHER CUCURRUCUCU PALOMA OR GUANTANAMERA. THANK YOU BOTH, PERLA BATALLA AND CDBABY, FOR EXISTING...SO THAT I CAN LISTEN TO THIS SOUL-LIFTING MUSIC AT LEAST SEVERAL TIMES A DAY! JULIA

  • DISCOTECA BATALLA
    author: Alex

    PURE BLISS ! Cu cu rru cu cu Paloma has gained one of the most beautiful interpretations. Many artist have interpreted this very especial song. Perla Batalla has done something very unique, to bring this emotional and dramatic piece into the realm of the sublime and etherial, with the voice of an angel. Thank you for the emotions inspired.

  • Discoteca Batall
    author: Steven Hake

    I recommend that you buy more than one copy. You will surely want to share this music with those you love. I ordered five, and I fully intend to keep at least one of them. When the musical genius John Aielli of KUT in Austin played a track from this album on his program, all he said at the end was, "I told you so!" and he was exactly right. Perla Batalla is a national treasure.

  • Perla's music and this CD are amazing!
    author: Suzanne Frey

    "Songs of Leonard Cohen" and "Mestiza" are also incredible, but "Discoteca Batalla" is my favorite! I love the beauty and poetry of the Spanish language and now Perla has taken that appreciation to a new level. She gives traditional songs new meaning and depth. Thank you Lis for introducing me, and Claude for sharing. Muchas gracias mis amigos cerca de "el pueblo de nuestra senora, la reina de los angeles!"

  • Wonderful!

    Heard an interview on NPR and purchased the CD. Everyone that hears it playing at my home loves it. Perla Batalla has a wonderful voice. This CD is lively. It's fun. It's soulful. You won't regret the purchase.

  • Best buy I've made this year!!
    author: Suzanne

    My friend and I love this CD, so happy I made the right choice to purchase it!

  • Absolutely fantastic. Play over and over.
    author: Estella Belmudez

    I can listen to his CD over and over without getting tired of it. Enjoy playing "Las Mananitas" for people on their birthdays. Favorite song is "Cucurrucucu Paloma". Thank you for recording such wonderful music.

  • Awesome Gift
    author: FelixH

    Bought this CD as a gift for someone and she absolutely loved it. Thanks for everything.

  • Beautiful lyrical voice
    author: Harry Powers

    I have loved Mexican music and Mariachi in particular since living one summer, long ago, with the Aldrete family in Guadalajara. This CD in general is quite beautiful but I was transported by the ethereal beauty of Perla Batalla's singing of Cucurrucucu. Absolutely glorious!!!

  • Gorgeous
    author: Dirk Burns

    Discoteca Batalla is my introduction to "latin" music. I heard a cut on NPR and immediately fell in love. Batalla's music is romantic and smokey and exciting. I can't stop playing it!

  • I loved the CD/ very nice
    author: Ortiz

    great, recommend to my friends.

  • Bought as a gift for Dad
    author: Jen

    Long story short: was looking for something w/ Guantanamera after our family heard the song on a cruise and sang it as an ode to my Dad (One Dan O'Mara), since he treated about 20 of us to our wonderful vacation. We listened to the cd on Christmas Eve, Day and New Years Eve and all enjoyed it much! Right up my dad's musical alley - he was very happy.

  • Delightful! Music which dips and soars right into the heart.
    author: Tana Brinnand

    Disco Batalla is as close to perfect as I can imagine. Each song is completely suited to Perla Batalla's liquid gold contralto voice. Here is an excellent balance of lively rhythms and mature emotion, of wonderful vocals and rich instrumentation. Play if for a party, play it to relax, play it when you are sad, play it when you are happy. If CD's were clear mountain streams, you could splash in this one all day long. Highly recommended.

  • A tremendous discovery - thanks to Public Radio
    author: RD

    Where it not for Public Radio, I would never have had the sheer delight of hearing Perla Batalla and discovering Discoteca Batalla. Nor, would I have found the late Randy Garibay and Cats Don't Sleep. Two of the best albums, filled with the most moving music I have heard in years. I agree with an earlier reviewer - this music should be heard every where. Would it not be wonderful if artists such as Perla and Randy were coming to town in concert!?! How sad we must be fed at the McDonalds music trough as well!

  • Perla Batalla warms your inner soul with the combination of her voice and classi
    author: Cassie

    This album is incredible! The combination of the soothing vocals of Perla Batalla and classic latino songs in phenomenal!

  • “Spanish is a loving tongue Soft as music light as spray”
    author: Los Cerritos Community News

    If there wasn’t some idiot-driven star-maker machinery fueling the music industry an album like this one would be trumpeted from left coast to that “other” coast; from the Rio Grande to the shores of Lake Michigan. While it may be strange to say an album in Spanish done on an independent label should be the album of the year it is no stretch when considering this truly extraordinary work. If the Grammys or Latin Grammys were serious about choosing the best, then certainly Perla Batalla’s name and music should be at the forefront. “Discoteca Batalla” is not a bridge between cultures as others in her repertoire have been but it is a loving tribute to the memories of a life shaped by her parent’s, West Coast record store. Music like this cannot be calculated or inspired by cash, it is special because of it is comprised of tangible heart, blood and soul. This abiding respect and love for the sweet melodies and words she heard as a kid are the motivation that has given life to this most wonderful thirteen song set. It is Perla’s respect and love for the language, the songs and singing that take this one up to the highest levels. “Discoteca Batalla” is an opportunity for fans or newcomers to discover genuine masterpieces from Latin popular music sung by one of the world’s finest singers. You must start with that Perla Batalla voice. While it may be fruitless to make comparisons to other great singers hers is one of the finest vocal instruments I’ve heard in forty years of studying the craft. She can reach the upper balcony with clean, powerful notes and she can induce salty tears with these beautiful ballads offered in her silky soprano. Case in point: “La Barca de Oro” which is the only song that effects me like a mooning, love-struck teenager. While I am not fluent in anything more than street Spanish I would have worn through the grooves of this one if it were on vinyl. “Cuando Sale La Luna” may be a lament but it has a tropical groove that warms the blood. “La Llorona” the baleful woman of Mexican folklore finally finds understanding here and “Mexico Mi Alma” salutes Perla’s ancestral homeland with the inspiring lyrics of the excellent contemporary composer Gilberto Gonzalez. Most surprising here are the breathtaking treatments of the simplest of familiar songs. “Mananitas,” sung far too frequently in my case is shining like burnished gold on “Discoteca Batalla” and “Guantanemera” is made new and noble in these most capable hands. Then there is the new found glory of “Reloj” and “Cucurrucucu Paloma” that demonstrate beyond a glimmer of hesitation that this young lady is a truly great singer. One may only have to look in the entertainment pages of any urban free weekly to contemplate the sheer number of musical acts shouting for attention on any given weekend. Out of all these hopefuls it must be difficult for an independent artist to keep struggling to be heard. However, what this performer is accomplishing in concert and on this disc is important and rare to behold. If you hear this woman sing you will become more than a believer, you will have been given the gift music lovers search for endlessly in clubs and concert halls, in record store bins and radio dials. Spanish IS the loving tongue when sung by such a gifted artist. If there wasn’t some idiot-driven star-maker machinery fueling the music industry an album like this one would be trumpeted from left coast to that “other” coast; from the Rio Grande to the shores of Lake Michigan. While it may be strange to say an album in Spanish done on an independent label should be the album of the year it is no stretch when considering this truly extraordinary work. If the Grammys or Latin Grammys were serious about choosing the best, then certainly Perla Batalla’s name and music should be at the forefront. “Discoteca Batalla” is not a bridge between cultures as others in her repertoire have been but it is a loving tribute to the memories of a life shaped by her parent’s, West Coast record store. Music like this cannot be calculated or inspired by cash, it is special because of it is comprised of tangible heart, blood and soul. This abiding respect and love for the sweet melodies and words she heard as a kid are the motivation that has given life to this most wonderful thirteen song set. It is Perla’s respect and love for the language, the songs and singing that take this one up to the highest levels. “Discoteca Batalla” is an opportunity for fans or newcomers to discover genuine masterpieces from Latin popular music sung by one of the world’s finest singers. You must start with that Perla Batalla voice. While it may be fruitless to make comparisons to other great singers hers is one of the finest vocal instruments I’ve heard in forty years of studying the craft. She can reach the upper balcony with clean, powerful notes and she can induce salty tears with these beautiful ballads offered in her silky soprano. Case in point: “La Barca de Oro” which is the only song that effects me like a mooning, love-struck teenager. While I am not fluent in anything more than street Spanish I would have worn through the grooves of this one if it were on vinyl. “Cuando Sale La Luna” may be a lament but it has a tropical groove that warms the blood. “La Llorona” the baleful woman of Mexican folklore finally finds understanding here and “Mexico Mi Alma” salutes Perla’s ancestral homeland with the inspiring lyrics of the excellent contemporary composer Gilberto Gonzalez. Most surprising here are the breathtaking treatments of the simplest of familiar songs. “Mananitas,” sung far too frequently in my case is shining like burnished gold on “Discoteca Batalla” and “Guantanemera” is made new and noble in these most capable hands. Then there is the new found glory of “Reloj” and “Cucurrucucu Paloma” that demonstrate beyond a glimmer of hesitation that this young lady is a truly great singer. One may only have to look in the entertainment pages of any urban free weekly to contemplate the sheer number of musical acts shouting for attention on any given weekend. Out of all these hopefuls it must be difficult for an independent artist to keep struggling to be heard. However, what this performer is accomplishing in concert and on this disc is important and rare to behold. If you hear this woman sing you will become more than a believer, you will have been given the gift music lovers search for endlessly in clubs and concert halls, in record store bins and radio dials. Spanish IS the loving tongue when sung by such a gifted artist. radio dials. Spanish IS the loving tongue when sung by such a gifted artist.

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