Shakira in English, an alter-ego...
A friend and I were discussing Shakira today. I said I really think she has a lovely lovely voice, and that I prefer it when she sings in Spanish. My friend commented that she likes Shakira's English songs. She says she views "English Shakira" as the alter-ego. I laughed and said probably. I told her that I am annoyed that, in the US (or in English), Shakira's marketing has focused (not wrongly) on her figure, with her voice as a distant afterthought.
While in Spanish recordings and in Spanish areas... Yes, she is an attractive woman, but her voice quality does not go unnoticed. Case in point, this song (video does not have Shakira), from the soundtrack of Love in Times of Cholera. Not only that, but, shortly before her death, Mercedes Sosa, one of the most recognized female singers (think folk/protest music) recorded an album of various protest, folk, and love songs with different singers. Shakira was one of them. Her rendition of La Maza, an old protest song, is very good.
And finally, for comparison, "old Shakira" (Ojos así) and "new Shakira". Granted, I love that last song... preferably the Spanish version, d'uh! ;)
While in Spanish recordings and in Spanish areas... Yes, she is an attractive woman, but her voice quality does not go unnoticed. Case in point, this song (video does not have Shakira), from the soundtrack of Love in Times of Cholera. Not only that, but, shortly before her death, Mercedes Sosa, one of the most recognized female singers (think folk/protest music) recorded an album of various protest, folk, and love songs with different singers. Shakira was one of them. Her rendition of La Maza, an old protest song, is very good.
And finally, for comparison, "old Shakira" (Ojos así) and "new Shakira". Granted, I love that last song... preferably the Spanish version, d'uh! ;)