I was really looking forward to hearing the list of songs that represent "Latin" music to the general listening audience as represented by American Idol and there were no surprises. I think this list of eight songs represents - to a large extent - the songs that were major hits in the U.S., both early on (with "Besame Mucho"), to 1999 when Marc Anthony, Anthony's break through album, was released. That was a year after Carlos Santana won every award possible with his wonderful Supernatural.
Jennifer Lopez was the coach for the eight remaining contestants, and a lot of her advise was putting a little more passion into the music. Well, they tried.
Melinda Doolittle was on first with her version of "Sway". This is a song that was made popular by Dean Martin in the 1950s. It's gotten a lot of airplay recently, especially as part of soundtracks for movies such as Strictly Ballroom and Shall We Dance?. Shall We Dance? uses a memorable cover by the Pussycat Dolls (Watch Video).
A few weeks ago I compiled a list of the top ten women in Latin music, and Gloria Estefan was #1 on the list. I think that was pretty obvious on the show as La Kisha Jones ("Conga"), Haley Scarnato ("Turn The Beat Around") and Jordin Sparks ("Rhythm Is Going to Get You") all picked Estefan hits for their Latin numbers.
Carlos Santana was also amply represented with two hits from his Supernatural album. "Smooth" (sung by Rob Thomas on the album) was Chris Richardson's choice, while Phil Stacey went with "Maria, Maria".
The last two performances were the most interesting. Blake Lewis made a bold move by singing Marc Anthony's "I Need To Know", and while he did an OK job, I wouldn't want my voice compared to Anthony's. It was also interesting that the number was introduced as one made famous by Lopez' husband. For those of us with our heads in the musical clouds, Lopez is Marc Anthony's wife.
And finally, that charmer Sanjaya Malakar chose to perform "Besame Mucho", a Mexican ballad written in 1940. This song is such a staple of Latin musicians catering to the turist trade, that I have never been in any Spanish-speaking country where local musicians did not have it as part of their repetoire; in fact, over 100 artists have recorded this song in Spanish or English, including Elvis Presley and the Beatles. I've included a version I like by Trio Los Panchos in the links below, but there are many others - in several languages.
Whatever you thought of Sanjay's delivery, he's the only one that sang anything in Spanish!
Meet The American Idol Contestants
American Idol Latin Week Playlist
- (Melinda Doolittle) "Sway"
Dean Martin, All Time Greatest Hits (1990)
Listen | Compare Prices - (La Kisha Jones) "Conga"
- (Jordin Sparks) "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You"
- (Haley Scarnato) "Turn The Beat Around"
Gloria Estefan, The Essential Gloria Estefan (2006)
Listen | Compare Prices - (Chris Richardson) "Smooth"
- (Phil Stacey) "Maria, Maria"
Carlos Santana, Supernatural (1998)
Listen | Compare Prices - (Blake Lewis) "I Need To Know"
Marc Anthony, Marc Anthony (1999)
Listen | Compare Prices - (Sanjaya Malakar) "Besame Mucho"
Los Panchos, Leyendas: Los Panchos Vol. 1 (1994)
Listen | Compare Prices
