Cementing my reputation as the only white guy in the world who really digs ranchera music, I present to you the inimitable Pedro Infante. As a member of the trio of actors/musicians commonly referred to as "los Tres Gallos Mexicanos", Infante, along with other "Mexican roosters" Javier Solís and Jorge Negrete, basically defined ranchero style for the 40's and 50's, developing an on-screen persona as a resilient, romantic man of the people, a role that won him legions of followers. His music, like that of other ranchera singers of the time, is grandiose but never bombastic. While Jorge Negrete was known for his pitch-perfect, operatic tone, and Javier Solís for his rough-hewn, robust delivery, Infante was a singer of shades; alternating between a convivial tenor on tuneful mariachi-oriented rancheras and a sweet, tender croon on gentle boleros and waltzes. Infante's voice, in my humble yet accurate opinion, ranks right up there with enchiladas, el Día de los Muertos, and tequila as one of Mexico's greatest treasures. In fact, many Mexicans are inclined to agree, as evidenced by the thousands of devoted fans that flock to Infante's shrine in Mexico City each year. This album collects several of Infante's most beloved tunes, including the classic title track and the marvelous "En Tu Día". My only complaint, however, is that my personal favorite of Infante's numerous gems is absent from this collection. "Cien Años" is perhaps the loveliest canción ever to come out of la tierra Azteca, and I highly encourage you to seek it out.
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