La Historia del Divo

Album Review

Though it's not difficult to compile material that will make Juan Gabriel look good, it's a challenge to put together on one album the essence of what makes him truly great. This towering giant of Latin music has been documented in the "best-of" format a time or two before. A musician of his caliber is guaranteed to be packaged and repackaged until time immemorial. Having not only recorded some of the industry's biggest hits himself, but also having written and produced for some of the industry's most important artists, Gabriel could easily stand beside English-language market pillars like Burt Bacharach and Stevie Wonder as a peer. The Norte label, in their typical fashion, has compiled some of Gabriel's most well-known material, such as the classic "Querida," "No Tengo Dinero," and "Hasta Que Te Conoci." Unlike many collections, there is very little room for filler in La Historia del Divo. For anyone even remotely acquainted with his stellar history, this will come as no surprise. As one of Mexico's most prolific artists, and one with tremendous staying power, it's a wonder that a good history of his work could fit on one disc. This is a fine addition to the collection of both dedicated fans and newcomers alike. ~ Evan C. Gutierrez, Rovi