Artist: Estrella Morente Album: Calle del aire

Year: 2001
Duration: 0:0-1

A Deep Dive into Estrella Morente's Calle del aire

Spanish music has always been a treasure trove filled with jewels of various genres and styles. One such jewel from Spain's music scenes is the talented Flamenco singer, Estrella Morente. Morente, born in Granada, Spain, at the age of seven, began to study the different incarnations of flamenco music. Today, she is known worldwide for her expertise in interpreting the art. In this blog post, we will dive deep into her album, Calle del aire. We will review the history of this unique artist, the music genre, the best songs of the album, and the reasons to give it a listening to.

A brief history of Estrella Morente

Estrella Morente was born on August 14, 1980, in Granada, Spain, to a significant generation of flamenco artists. Morente's father was a famous flamenco guitarist and her mother was a flamenco dancer. Growing up, Estrella was deeply influenced by the music around her. She had her first performance at the age of seven and began performing professionally across Spain before she turned ten.

The music genre of the album

Calle del aire is primarily a flamenco album with slight touches of Andalusian folk and jazz influences fitted in. Morente's powerful, mournful voice takes centre stage, piercing through every song's music. Estrella's fierce voice takes Flamenco to new heights, and the blend of intricate percussion and strings make for a beautiful combination.

The best songs of the album

The album opens up with Volver, a classic flamenco number, and Morente's interpretation with her powerful voice makes it unforgettable. Los Tangos de la Manola is a fast-paced, foot-tapping experience that slowly pulls you into its rhythmic path. Solea de la Serneta is a soulful song where Morente's voice's depth is well portrayed, and the accompanying guitar and percussion shine in their own light.

The most innovative parts

Calle del aire offers many moments of wonder, showcasing Morente's musicality and creativity. The fourth track, Calle del aire, the title track, is a complete departure from traditional flamenco where Morente's voice drone seem to float and meld with all the instruments. Similarly, the song Volver has subtle but refreshing embellishments, primarily through the guitar portion of the track.

A critic to the album

Although Calle del aire is undoubtedly an excellent album, it has several lows. There are a few tracks, especially Capricho de Estrella, which come out as incoherent and over the top. The tracklisting also doesn't seem very well spread out, with the most energetic and captivating songs being placed early on in the album.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Estrella Morente's Calle del aire is a fantastic album to get your Flamenco fix. Morente's fantastic voice and her well-selected collaborations with instrumentalists create a masterpiece of the flamenco genre. Despite its shortcomings, Calle del aire remains a must-listen album for Flamenco lovers and music enthusiasts alike. It portrays the simple musical rawness that very few can pull off while carrying such beauty without introducing complicated orchestration or convoluted arrangements. With Calle del aire, Estrella Morente has cemented her name among the greatest Flamenco singers of the era.