 
Eco de Sombras: Echo of Shadows
Average Rating: 4.5 Total Reviews: 19
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by: bluetoque On: 2006-12-09
Eco de Sombras is the natural continuation of what Susana Baca was trying to do with her self-named album. However, while this album is incredibly musical, I find the sometimes violent sensuality of this album harder to digest.
 On: 2005-10-21
I discovered this CD accidentally and I havent been able to stopy playing it. I carry around 1,500 songs on my iPod, but Ive been playing this over and over again for the past 4-5 days. The music is so rich and poetic that every time I hear a song I seem to discover something new about it. I dont understand Spanish, but the phonetics of the words are so beautiful that they are songs all by themselves. I highly recommend this CD and cant wait to get her entire discography.
by: Anonymous On: 2003-06-24
This CD is the absolute best of Afro-Peruvian music. It is romantic, steamy, and bold. I cant wait for her to return to the states on tour.
On: 2002-12-03
A lovely, simple, passionate album. Her voice is flawless. A rich instrument that breathes colors and maps into the songs journey. A world of feeling communicated through simplicity. Timeless.
by: Anonymous On: 2001-10-27
As the owner of a coffee shop which along with serving great coffee ---music is second on our list of MUSTS!!!!!!
Buy it and enjoy her delicate smooth voice. No need to know how to speak spanish ---just enjoy the rythm.
On: 2001-10-15
I can certainly understand the tendency of certain elitists to dismiss this music as aural wallpaper. There are good and bad qualities about this album-particularly the extreme overproduction and overly smooth sounds of the guitars. I would prefer a more bare-bones recording style yet i still believe this is a solid disc. with musicians like brazilian percussionist cyro baptista, guitarist marc ribot, and accordionist rob burger of tin hat trio, one would expect at least an interesting outing, and i believe it to be just that. Yes, it is pop music. and it is too easy on the ears in certain places for my tastes. Still, Bacas traditonal vocals are are occasionally outstanding, and tracks like el mayoral lack the post-production sheen of more conventional ballads like poema or los amantes. This album is not for everyone and i give it three stars because it is of interest mostly for those interested in modern interpretations of traditonal latin music-it does float dangerously close to adult-contemporary but if you can forgive the album its faults it is interesting mood music.
by: Anonymous On: 2001-10-04
Do not let the previous review keep you from enjoying Ms. Bacas talent and beautiful music. I guess you have to understand the background of the singer and the music, read the lyrics (and maybe listen to it more than once)to appreciate it. Many of the songs are poems that explore a number of aspects of the afro-peruvian experience, including love and suffering. I had the opportunity to go to one of her concerts (Austin, last year), and I really loved her. I have listened to this CD many times and some of the arrangements, although simple, are well executed. No, the rythm is not salsa! In my opinion this CD is worth buying.
 On: 2001-03-18
This album is a real soporific. Ms. Baca has a pretty voice but it doesnt have a quality that I look for in a singer, a raw sound that can convey real feeling. The arrangements are trite, the tempos range from slow to slower, the back-up vocals are devoid of musical interest, the rhythms are simplistic, even the 6/8 tunes. A decent working salsa band has a much more sophisticated rhythmic sensibility that this group of musicians. There is an attempt to provide some modern arrangements to what I guess are traditional tunes but it only comes out sounding watered-down to my ears. The whole thing is so sugary that it was almost painful to listen to, I could barely sit through the whole CD one time. Its almost at the level of a music students senior project. The only positive thing I can think of to say is that it might be a good CD to play for young children at nap-time. I wonder how much blame for this awful production lies in the hands of the producer-arranger.
 On: 2001-03-12
Susan Baca is a Peruvian woman who, backed by Afro-beat percussion and strings, performs here a set of songs that alternately remind me of looking out on a misty San Francisco night or the rhythms of the Caribbean. The ballads of poems set to music (De Los Amores, Los Amantes and, especially, Poema) are jazz infused, while the music on El Mayoral and Golpe e Tierra -- among others -- is as hard and unambiguous as the cruelties the lyrics describe. Likewise, Bacas voice is soft and caressing in love, direct and driving in conflict. Both for novices in Latin music and those well familiar with its growing variety, this is an excellent collection. And not to worry if you dont understand the often idiomatic Spanish; all lyrics are translated to English as well.
On: 2000-08-11
Ms. Baca truly IS music. She plays in and out of the rhythms, singing with a touch of emotions that are rare to find. Listen and enjoy--she is one in a million.
On: 2000-08-08
I had the good luck to walk into a music shop in Sydney that had Susanas CD playing. Immediately captured by the beauty of the voice and the guitar I listened further and purchased. Knowing nothing about Susana Baca until three days ago, I am now a committed fan.Singing in what is described as an Afro-Peruvian style (naturally in Spanish), Susana sounds like a cross between Cassandra Wilson and Cesaria Evora. She sings of slavery, lost love and heartbreak. A plus is that the lyrics are printed in both Spanish and English. Although Susanas singing style and delivery convey the poetry in the music it was rewarding to read a full translation of the beautiful verse. Production is appropriately bluesy and subdued but it never suppresses the emotion of the singer. The CD was produced by Craig Street who does such a great job with Cassandra Wilson. De Los Amores will break your heart and Los Amantes will move you. The rest of the tracks will transport you to a smoky jazz bar in Lima where a lone guitarist accompanies Ms Baca as lovers twirl on the dance floor. A true gem and a fine example of how music can transport you to another time and another place.
On: 2000-08-04
I got to sample this song at a book store, and the first track was absolutely amazing!! I listened to the rest and found some other favorites. Her lyrics, and voice are truly an art! Although I dont know much abou ther, I am sure after listenging to the cd for a bit longer, I will use her music as mediation during stressful work days! I am excited to listen more to this cd.
On: 2000-07-14
This CD should easily be nominated for a Grammy. Susana Bacas voice shines both in scale and in clarity. When she sings the word "nosotros", from the song Los Amantes, it is so full of emotion and meaning that it becomes a song in it self. I have been listening to this CD for two months without tiring. However, I have some negative opinions. The musicians dont have much say, both literally and acoustically. I find it hard to beleive Peruvian music without "gritos". Also, the bass is too strong - thats true for all new music today. Final words, fresh voice singing lovely poems.
On: 2000-07-12
This is one terrific CD. As a follow up to 1996s self-titled Luaka Bop disc, "Eco de Sombres" is more than a continuation of the story. It fulfills a lot of promise and should work to greatly enhance her presence on the concert stages of the US and Europe...much as Marisa Montes Great Noise has done.A note of clarification: The producer of this CD is Craig Street, renowned for his work with Cassandra Wilson and more recently Meshell Ndegeocellos "Bitter" CD. David Byrne only plays guitar on a couple of tracks...my regards to previous reviewers, but read the liner notes guys.
On: 2000-07-06
Susana has a beautiful voice and a wonderful presence. She expresses the poetry in each of her songs without sounding contrived. There are many styles coming together in her music (African, Peruvian, Cuban, and even a little Juju). The rhythms in her songs are gorgeous and hypnotic. My favorite songs on this album are "Valentin", "Poema", and "El Mayoral". I saw her perform live in Chapel Hill and bought this recording. The presence that she projects on this recording is even better live. If she is performing at a venue near you, dont hesitate! The recording quality on this CD is not so poor that it deserves one star! I appreciate the fact that David Byrne did not try to make Susana sing an amplified duet with Andrea Boccelli and a drum machine, or suffocate her in yet another Eno/Lanois production. The recording would have been better with more natural ambience, but the music is so good that you really wont notice.
by: Anonymous On: 2000-06-16
I cant stop listening to this CD. Susanas voice is so smooth that it can only be described as pure beauty. The songs are melodic and memorable. Her voice and style is reminiscent of some of the great vocalists of our time. Its a mellow CD for the most part, but has a few upbeat songs. Get this CD.
On: 2000-05-24
Eco De Sombras is a slow, brooding, and intense collection of songs. Susana Bacas voice is clear, refined, and very emotional. She sings poem-like songs with careful attention to diction. It seems she wants to make sure the audience clearly understands that the lyrics are just as important as the music. Thus, the lyrics become poems and the music becomes a companion. But again, her voice is full of emotion - just singing the word "nosotros" on Los Amantes is a song by itself. I wish the musicians could have more say in the songs and less bass would have been nice. Having said that, I keep playing this CD over and over again. Overall, this CD has a great mix of different sounds. If your bored with your current CD collection and you need to listen something meaningful- give this CD a try.
On: 2000-04-04
You will hear Cuba and Brazil in this recording with a dash of Argentina (a tango?). Bacas voice is ravishing and filled with longing. A must for fans of accoustic Latin music and great female vocalists.
On: 2000-03-14
This womans song is so strong that it is apparent from the first track to the last that she has got incredible soul. The sheer poetry, and excellant musicianship of Los Amantes made me weep. I cant imagine in person what this music must be.
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