Lourdes Perez: PRESS/REVIEWS

"...achingly beautiful...audiences are stunned and enraptured...the power, wit an dignity that her deep-throated alto commands affects listeners whether they understand Spanish or not."

Singing the News

Nearly a year ago 50 people around the country each received $50,000 fellowship awards from United States Artists, a new organization that argues that individual artists are generally shortchanged when it comes to arts patronage in America...

When I heard Lourdes Perez's music for the first time I could hardly believe this woman existed.

With her latest release. Este Filo, it is clear that Lourdes Perez lives up to her reputation as one of the great Latin American singer/songwriters. ...beautifully crafted words, spilling out like little gems. The songs can be urgent and dramatic, raging against violence and injustice. They can be comforting and nostalgic, memories of loved ones and promises kept. Whatever mood the music creates, it never feels forced. It seems to pour out of her so naturally, effortlessly. It draws you in and you find yourself raging, remembering, laughing and loving along with her."

"...Perez' dark, soulful voice communicates meaning regardless of language.." (click to read more)

"Perez has a honey-coated contralto that transcends language...Perez lends an unwavering authenticity to her music reminiscent of legendary French chanteuse Edith Piaf"

"...phenomenal acoustic guitar player...ultimately, Perez most impressive instrument is her voice...picture Edith Piaf astride a Harley, revving her engine in front of the International Headquarters of the Powers That Be"

Where to begin? Singer-songwriter Lourdes Perez has astounded audiences with her commanding voice and socially conscious lyrics since 1992. Today, she is loved and respected as a major force in world music. The fado, cante jondo, morna, and nueva trova are a few of the musical traditions she weaves to create music which touches the soul and ignites the heart. Whether performing for Zapatista indigenous communities or in East Austin Community Centers, Perez -- along with longtime partner Annette D'Armata -- demonstrate that art and politics are not mutually exclusive activities, but a vital way of bringing beauty and truth to the world.

"Mercedes Sosa...yielded the stage to Puerto Rican singer Lourdes Perez...A warm, dynamic singer and beautiful guitarist, Perez drew a fervent and well-deserved ovation"

"...like Edith Piaf, she transcends language...a truly remarkable voice."

"Ms. Perez brought the ardent, near sobbing tones (to the Suffragette Tour), using her gutsy declamation to reminisce over lost love and to praise women's power to nurture life."

"...now dropping to a whisper, now soaring into rich, dulcet tones rivaled only by the legendary Mercedes Sosa (to whom she is often compared), Perez transcends language...her music will caress you, hold you, heal you, surround you - you might even find tears streaming down your face at the clear calm strength of her voice...her imagery is startlingly beautiful..."

"A VOICE OF MAXIMUM BEAUTY...(her) lyrics and melodies will remain recorded in the heart..."

"Perez has a unique and powerful voice...with her first song, there is no room left for doubt as to the splendor of her voice and her talent."

"...her capacity to transcend language and her passion on stage have led many to consider her among the great female Latin American vocalists."

"With her beautiful voice of thick smoke and clear honey, Lourdes Perez leaves deep footprints that we will remember forever."

(translated) "There are treasures in life that are worth more than all of the coffers in the world. That moment (when I heard you sing) was worth more than all of the money that Rockefeller and his entourage may have..."

"A Texas treasure..."

"Her voice-that VOICE-is a warm bed of freshly turned, fertile earth and promise, which strikes out in defiance one moment and coos with hopeless romance the next...Likewise Perez' fingers take graceful strides across minor chords which sound like hectic gasps beating out time and calling out in urgency..."

"...completely enrapturing voice..."

"You don't have to understand Spanish to appreciate the passion in this voice and guitar...this one should not be missed."

"And when you listen (even if you don't understand Spanish), somehow you feel connected to places and people...extraordinary voice."

"smoky, spiraling alto...like Edith Piaf fronting the Gypsy Kings...Perez sings of her people with a supreme sense of humanity that enlarges them to signify all people."

"This woman is leaving a trail of sighs and faint whispers through the warehouse of CD Baby. With her soul-reaching, spine-tingling voice, every one of these tracks will hover over a room and fill the atmosphere with the smell of roses. Exquisitely solo as well as accompanied by spanish guitar, piano, cello, violin and accordion, this woman absolutely captivates. Check out every one of her albums- she is a rare, exotic and enrapturing artist with a command of her muse so strong that her audience will only continue to expand and grow."

"...this is no ordinary voice...palpable intensity...timeless grace and quality...dazzling new works...masterful violin accompaniment...

"An original...Though comparisons (to Sosa and Piaf) are apt...Perez is no imitator...it's Perez' words...and her riveting voice that cause listeners to shut up and pay attention-close attention."

"5 STARS. Fabulous. Lourdes Perez is in a class all her own.

5 STARS. Bellissima !
"The words are coming directly from her heart...... The most beautiful thing my ears and soul have ever felt."

" 5 STARS. Beautiful.
This is one of those albums that will fast become the most played disc in your personal selection. Highly recommended!"

"My response to the Lourdes Perez recording I received is a rousing standing ovation! Her renditions are powerful and emotional. They speak to my very soul, despite the fact that I do not understand Spanish. I am so thankful that we have performers like Lourdes in our otherwise imperfect world, those who are willing to take on a cause wholeheartedly, fight for it and devote their talent, their music to it."

5 STARS.
"catch this legend before her prices go up!"

Conflama - Recommended

"Lourdes Pérez, the singer/songwriter from Austin and San Francisco, performed a dramatic and impassioned décima, a ten-line stanza that was one of Dr. Paredes’s favorite literary art forms: “Paredes, que tus escritos se vuelvan lucecitos que en el universo arden” (“Paredes, may your writings become little stars that burn in the universe”)."