Manu Chao

This CD is like a drug for me - 3 years later I can not stop listening it. The more I listed to it the more I like it. I shared it with a friend who is now hooked on Manu Chao - "His songs make me feel good".

There are so many reviews on this recording, but many miss some important points. Yes, this music can be appreciated on purely musical merits.. it's really very good and it grows on you. But it's brilliance lies in his ability to use his own 'foreign-ness' (he's French, singing in Spanish mostly) to express the alienation and dispair of the illegal immigrant in Europe-- that illegal immigrant symbolizing the angst of any modern individual who is paying attention to what is happening in our world. Manu Chao's often over-enunciated and simplistic Spanish mimics the immigrant who speaks Spanish as an acquired language: the Africans and Arabs that sneak into Spain and other countries to find work, to find a future... he even sings slightly off-key and off-rhythmn at times to seem like a natural narration, a man on the road... Other times he exhibits a beautiful (non-nasal) voice.
That theme of alienation and dispair-- hiding, being pursued, suffering, loneliness, the great lies of this world-- is often punctuated by hopeful flights of fancy and exuberant musical celebrations. Some of the pieces are as odd as the world around us: snippets of radio, TV, newscasts, a Zapatista manifesto, sampled music, sounds of nature and the street... all mixed into a wonderful musical narration.
Manu Chao's recent concert in Tijuana (August 2008) was a huge event, with the environment and context of his concert (at the bullring by the sea, literally right next to the busiest border in the world)-- a great venue for a very important artist with an adoring crowd. He appeared at a local bar afterward, continuing to generously give of himself, talking to and hugging everyone who aproached him.

As always, I love his music. I am delighted it was reissued at a reasonable price.

If you wanna relax after work with some cold drink or hot for that matter. Just put on this record and close your eyes.....

Very fun to listen to. The deeper that I researched Manu Chao, the more fun the experience. His musical partners (amparanoia) and his background led me to know many other artists and musical styles. Thanks to my friend Patty who intoduced my to Manu Chao.....

Quite a good album, traditional to Manu Chao music, with a slight escape into mainstream.
Some songs seem like reworks or versions of the same song done in different ways. Good for listening while riding in a car.
It is certainly worth listening to, but if you are not a real Manu Chao dedicated fan you might find it slighlty repetitive.
The real value of this album is that some of the widely played songs can bring Manu Chao closer to listeners who were not that familiar with his music and lead them to explore his other songs.

I heard this album a few months ago on the inflight entertainment of a long flight I was on. I'd heard most of what else was on display and wanted something new. Well, first thing I decided on listening to it was that I was going to get every other album of his. It is fantastic!

Manu Chao is of French/Spanish origin, and sings in both languages, sometimes in English also. His music is generally upbeat, party music with influences of Punk, Ska, and even Polka, and political lyrical undertones. "La Radiolina" is Italian for small radio.

Opening is the rousing Polka tinged "13 dias". "Tristeza Maleza" is a bouncy rocker with electronic flourishes and lyrics that mention George Bush (I have a hunch it's not too flattering, but it's sung in Spanish so what do I know). "Politik kills" is a slower horn sprinkled affair with English lyrics listing the ills of Politics; lies, violence, blood, jeez, this chap must have been around during the last elections here.:-)

"Rainin' in paradise" is a frenetic affair with driving synths, woozy effects and lyrics in English touching on atrocities in various parts of the world; Congo, Jerusalem, Palestine and Baghdad included. Similar in feel is very brief "The bleeding clown" with English lyrics telling the tale of a sad clown who can no longer get a laugh.

"Me llaman calle" is a beautiful ballad with Spanish guitars tumbling and cascading upon an incredible groove and gentle hand claps. It is one of my favourites. The ballad "Mundorevés" does remind me ever so faintly of "Hotel California" by The Eagles.

Other favourites of mine are the bouncy horn adorned "El hoyo" with squealing guitars in the background and a slowed Ska break, and the gently lilting Flamenco-ish "La Vida Tómbola" with nice mariachi horns and hand claps, it's apparently a tribute to the footballer Maradona.

The brief energetic "Panik panik" utilises siren effects to add to the urgency. I must mention that this song utilizes a similar backing track to "Rainin' In Paradize", "El Kitapena", "Siberia" (sung in English) and "Mama Cuchara", but each bringing out a different flavour.

"Piccola Radiolina" is a beautiful guitar/horn instrumental. The gentle Cuban sounding "A cosa" features Chao's first attempt at singing in Italian.

If I have one complaint with this album, it's that a lot of the songs are too short, fading away as you're just getting into them. It's nice to see someone can have so much fun while being so serious. Hopefully Manu Chao won't remain just a curiosity to most for much longer.

It seems Manu has developed a formula for pop music and life on planet earth short stories in 3 min songs . This time with a lot of J.J.Cale influences ( he may not know who J.J. is ) and more rock than usual . A good twist for him , more comercial and available ... Good for Us ...

Manu Chao Rocks a la J.J. Cale - Los Enanitos Verdes con singular alegria . Buenas y concisas canciones , comerciales y devertidas , a la tradición de una latino america que necesita más músicos con corazón y buenas intenciones , alegría y esperanza , pensando en otra cosa que no sea la fama y el dinero y las chicas fáciles ... Viva Manu Rocker Chao ...

It's not a fun listening, the songs are not authentic as on his two earlier albums, but rather annoying.

Speed...guitars to the front ... ... as same as ever but more fast, as the street that we walkin' ..... burnin' as the anguish of Latin America .... the same thing all over again, this would certainly be good !

This album was my first experience with Manu Chao. The style is simultaneously simple and complex. From a musical standpoint, the instrumentation is primarily acoustic with simple rhythms, but lyrically and conceptually, nothing is simplistic about this masterpiece. Various audio and linguistic themes weave their way through the work, giving the listener the experience of time suspension much like that of an insomniac in a sedated state of relaxed almost-sleep where thoughts almost form, transform into other thoughts, and then evaporate only to be replaced by new thoughts.

Manu Chao employs a unique mixture of languages which form a drifting and ever changing cultural context. I've never heard anything like it.

I am a classical music buff and have found this recording to be a delight. It brightens my day anytime I listen to it. I would highly recommend it.

these guys are going to save the world. education my friend, is the only way

I'll admit: I'm biased against current rock music, as much of it is generic waste. But Manu Chao is an outstanding original. The elusive Mr. Chao, former Manu Negra frontman, is a brashly inventive wellspring of talent, churning out quirky, catchy, funky tunes that embody seemingly every musical style in existence. I love the Zen zaniness exhibited on some songs ("Me Gustas Tu"), and the luxurious beauty of others ("Denia"). The musician's eclectic soul must be owed to his roots: he hails from southern France, but lives as a nomad of sorts in Latin America. Chao sings mainly in Spanish, but he displays an impressive multi-lingualism, crooning in his native French, as well as in English, Portuguese and even Arabic. Indeed, on some songs Chao mixes French and Spanish with such facility that it's easy to forget that they aren't the same language. Manu Chao embodies a true world music ethos, with a bohemian twist.

My favorite album of all time from the most important artist of our time. Manu Chao's contributions can be likened to greats like Woodie Guthrie, Bob Dylan, and Bob Marley with a global perspective. This intoxicating collection provokes and delights providing the first great folk anthem of the century. If you don't know this artist, get to know him

THE SOUNDTRACK ITSELF IS 5 STAR...JUST DON'T BUY IT OR ANYTHING ELSE FROM A SHIPPER CALLED "NEWBURY_COMICS". THEY TOOK MY MONEY BUT NEVER SHIPPED THE ITEM, WHEN I INQUIRED ABOUT IT THEY SAID THAT IT HAD NEVER BEEN AVAILABLE IN THE FIRST PLACE (THEN WHY DID YOU
a-ADVERTISE IT FOR SALE and b-ACCEPT PAYMENT FOR IT?) & CLAIMED THAT THEY'D ALREADY INITIATED A REFUND. A FULL WEEK LATER I HAD TO FILE WITH AMAZON A-Z TO GET MY MONEY BACK. BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!

Ok - with so many reviews what can I add? Surf guitar meets mariachi, say no more? Much more!! solid throughout - but rodriguez's elfman/surf/mariachi ironically classical (?) soundtrack touch somehow adds so much - w/ the exception of one outta control hornzaganza indulgence...which ends up working just right anyhow. If you saw the movie & liked the music then, don't hesitate to purchase the cd - it may well be one of the best you'll ever own. It is mine, out of a few thousand...

This is a fantastic soundtrack full of great music in the latin mold. I loved the Desperado soundtrack a lot but this really has more variety. Now I have discs by Del Castillo, Patricia Vonne, Juno Reactor,Marcos Loya,and Manu Chow,all who I was unfamiliar with before picking up this disc. And who would have thought Salma Hayek could sing like that!! Overall, a great listening experience and very influential to me.

I remembered the music in the movie as being a little better than it actually is. I was a little disappointed in the CD.

It just wasn't what I thought it would be and I personally didn't like it. But it is good music.

The music is very energetic, like a real live concert! The only thing I keep wondering is the price? The day after I placed my order the lowest price was 170+, if this happens you can always use the UK amazon site to look for cheaper selection.

Don't bother buying this album, even if you're a big fan, like me. It starts well, with the great simple mellow rythm that Manu Chao has. But as soon as the second song kicks in (apart from the intro) you're bombarded with screaming backing vocals and metals, in a ska-like rythm. So far so good. BUT IT KEEPS ON GOING! Till the very last song. This is not at all like the studio albums.

The iconoclastic French Spaniard Manu Chao delivers a wild live performance, an amalgam of Carribean Ska and Reggae, Latin Salsa, Afro-Cuban polyrhythms & horns,
and frantic UK punk al la the Clash.
The result is fiery, potent and infectuous.
It was as if Manu Chao had chosen the genres specifically to keep the audience dancing non-stop. He never lets down for a secod, resulting in a frenzied wild time.
Cross-cultural both musically iand linguistically,his politics and heart are in the right place. Lberation music, they way Bob Marley used to deliver it. You gotta love it.

I saw Radio Bemba Sound System perform with Manu Chao at Bonnaroo 2007, and was absolutely blown away by the quality of the music and the amount of fun I had at that show. Naturally, I was ecstatic to learn that they had put out a live recording. I bought this album at the same time I bought Manu Chao's solo album, "Clandestino." The differences between these two albums are the pace of the music, the energy of the band, and the undisputed fact that tequila magically becomes "better" with this album.

While listening to the recording and catching the live show are certainly different, this will get your blood flowing. It is a fast-paced, non-stop party with trumpets, bongos, reggae styled guitar riffs that have been perfectly merged with salsa tempos, love songs to Tijuana, and an overwhelming feeling of just cutting loose and having fun. If you like Manu Chao, you may or may not enjoy Radio Bemba Sound System. The songs are the same, only far more energetic in a much faster time signature.

All in all, any fan of Manu Chao's "Clandestino" will find this a delightful treat. This album is the next best thing to seeing this band live, and will probably make you want to do just that.

If you like Manu Chao you'll love this album! Very good vibes.

This album was my first experience with Manu Chao. The style is simultaneously simple and complex. From a musical standpoint, the instrumentation is primarily acoustic with simple rhythms, but lyrically and conceptually, nothing is simplistic about this masterpiece. Various audio and linguistic themes weave their way through the work, giving the listener the experience of time suspension much like that of an insomniac in a sedated state of relaxed almost-sleep where thoughts almost form, transform into other thoughts, and then evaporate only to be replaced by new thoughts.

Manu Chao employs a unique mixture of languages which form a drifting and ever changing cultural context. I've never heard anything like it.

I am a classical music buff and have found this recording to be a delight. It brightens my day anytime I listen to it. I would highly recommend it.

these guys are going to save the world. education my friend, is the only way

I'll admit: I'm biased against current rock music, as much of it is generic waste. But Manu Chao is an outstanding original. The elusive Mr. Chao, former Manu Negra frontman, is a brashly inventive wellspring of talent, churning out quirky, catchy, funky tunes that embody seemingly every musical style in existence. I love the Zen zaniness exhibited on some songs ("Me Gustas Tu"), and the luxurious beauty of others ("Denia"). The musician's eclectic soul must be owed to his roots: he hails from southern France, but lives as a nomad of sorts in Latin America. Chao sings mainly in Spanish, but he displays an impressive multi-lingualism, crooning in his native French, as well as in English, Portuguese and even Arabic. Indeed, on some songs Chao mixes French and Spanish with such facility that it's easy to forget that they aren't the same language. Manu Chao embodies a true world music ethos, with a bohemian twist.

My favorite album of all time from the most important artist of our time. Manu Chao's contributions can be likened to greats like Woodie Guthrie, Bob Dylan, and Bob Marley with a global perspective. This intoxicating collection provokes and delights providing the first great folk anthem of the century. If you don't know this artist, get to know him

buy this for sure if you're a fan of Manu Chao and need everything he creates (like me), or if you're a dj who wants to take Manu to the dance floor, as these remixes cover the dub, reggae, drum'n'bass side of things. Way to go once again, Manu! I've seen firsthand the kind of change and unity this artist has brought about - he is nothing short of amazing - and so are these remixes! Do be aware that this is a REMIX EP - it means SEVERAL VERSIONS of the SAME SONG.

This CD is like a drug for me - 3 years later I can not stop listening it. The more I listed to it the more I like it. I shared it with a friend who is now hooked on Manu Chao - "His songs make me feel good".

There are so many reviews on this recording, but many miss some important points. Yes, this music can be appreciated on purely musical merits.. it's really very good and it grows on you. But it's brilliance lies in his ability to use his own 'foreign-ness' (he's French, singing in Spanish mostly) to express the alienation and dispair of the illegal immigrant in Europe-- that illegal immigrant symbolizing the angst of any modern individual who is paying attention to what is happening in our world. Manu Chao's often over-enunciated and simplistic Spanish mimics the immigrant who speaks Spanish as an acquired language: the Africans and Arabs that sneak into Spain and other countries to find work, to find a future... he even sings slightly off-key and off-rhythmn at times to seem like a natural narration, a man on the road... Other times he exhibits a beautiful (non-nasal) voice.
That theme of alienation and dispair-- hiding, being pursued, suffering, loneliness, the great lies of this world-- is often punctuated by hopeful flights of fancy and exuberant musical celebrations. Some of the pieces are as odd as the world around us: snippets of radio, TV, newscasts, a Zapatista manifesto, sampled music, sounds of nature and the street... all mixed into a wonderful musical narration.
Manu Chao's recent concert in Tijuana (August 2008) was a huge event, with the environment and context of his concert (at the bullring by the sea, literally right next to the busiest border in the world)-- a great venue for a very important artist with an adoring crowd. He appeared at a local bar afterward, continuing to generously give of himself, talking to and hugging everyone who aproached him.

As always, I love his music. I am delighted it was reissued at a reasonable price.

If you wanna relax after work with some cold drink or hot for that matter. Just put on this record and close your eyes.....

Very fun to listen to. The deeper that I researched Manu Chao, the more fun the experience. His musical partners (amparanoia) and his background led me to know many other artists and musical styles. Thanks to my friend Patty who intoduced my to Manu Chao.....

Quite a good album, traditional to Manu Chao music, with a slight escape into mainstream.
Some songs seem like reworks or versions of the same song done in different ways. Good for listening while riding in a car.
It is certainly worth listening to, but if you are not a real Manu Chao dedicated fan you might find it slighlty repetitive.
The real value of this album is that some of the widely played songs can bring Manu Chao closer to listeners who were not that familiar with his music and lead them to explore his other songs.

I heard this album a few months ago on the inflight entertainment of a long flight I was on. I'd heard most of what else was on display and wanted something new. Well, first thing I decided on listening to it was that I was going to get every other album of his. It is fantastic!

Manu Chao is of French/Spanish origin, and sings in both languages, sometimes in English also. His music is generally upbeat, party music with influences of Punk, Ska, and even Polka, and political lyrical undertones. "La Radiolina" is Italian for small radio.

Opening is the rousing Polka tinged "13 dias". "Tristeza Maleza" is a bouncy rocker with electronic flourishes and lyrics that mention George Bush (I have a hunch it's not too flattering, but it's sung in Spanish so what do I know). "Politik kills" is a slower horn sprinkled affair with English lyrics listing the ills of Politics; lies, violence, blood, jeez, this chap must have been around during the last elections here.:-)

"Rainin' in paradise" is a frenetic affair with driving synths, woozy effects and lyrics in English touching on atrocities in various parts of the world; Congo, Jerusalem, Palestine and Baghdad included. Similar in feel is very brief "The bleeding clown" with English lyrics telling the tale of a sad clown who can no longer get a laugh.

"Me llaman calle" is a beautiful ballad with Spanish guitars tumbling and cascading upon an incredible groove and gentle hand claps. It is one of my favourites. The ballad "Mundorevés" does remind me ever so faintly of "Hotel California" by The Eagles.

Other favourites of mine are the bouncy horn adorned "El hoyo" with squealing guitars in the background and a slowed Ska break, and the gently lilting Flamenco-ish "La Vida Tómbola" with nice mariachi horns and hand claps, it's apparently a tribute to the footballer Maradona.

The brief energetic "Panik panik" utilises siren effects to add to the urgency. I must mention that this song utilizes a similar backing track to "Rainin' In Paradize", "El Kitapena", "Siberia" (sung in English) and "Mama Cuchara", but each bringing out a different flavour.

"Piccola Radiolina" is a beautiful guitar/horn instrumental. The gentle Cuban sounding "A cosa" features Chao's first attempt at singing in Italian.

If I have one complaint with this album, it's that a lot of the songs are too short, fading away as you're just getting into them. It's nice to see someone can have so much fun while being so serious. Hopefully Manu Chao won't remain just a curiosity to most for much longer.

It seems Manu has developed a formula for pop music and life on planet earth short stories in 3 min songs . This time with a lot of J.J.Cale influences ( he may not know who J.J. is ) and more rock than usual . A good twist for him , more comercial and available ... Good for Us ...

Manu Chao Rocks a la J.J. Cale - Los Enanitos Verdes con singular alegria . Buenas y concisas canciones , comerciales y devertidas , a la tradición de una latino america que necesita más músicos con corazón y buenas intenciones , alegría y esperanza , pensando en otra cosa que no sea la fama y el dinero y las chicas fáciles ... Viva Manu Rocker Chao ...

It's not a fun listening, the songs are not authentic as on his two earlier albums, but rather annoying.

Speed...guitars to the front ... ... as same as ever but more fast, as the street that we walkin' ..... burnin' as the anguish of Latin America .... the same thing all over again, this would certainly be good !