Ten Years Ago This Week

This week in 1999, songs from Destiny’s Child, Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera, and Ricky Martin kept us dancing into the new millennium. 1999 was the year that both Christina and Ricky made their debuts on the pop charts. While Ricky Martin had been on the Spanish charts for years, it was his self-titled English-language album debut that catapulted him into super stardom. (For more on Ricky Martin go here.)

Below are the Top 5 Songs this week in 1999:

#5 “Livin’ La Vida Loca” – Ricky Martin

#4 “Genie In A Bottle” – Christina Aguilera

#3 “Last Kiss” – Pearl Jam

#2 “If You Had My Love” – Jennifer Lopez

In the #1 spot:

“Bills, Bills, Bills” – Destiny’s Child

The Salseros: Now (Part II)

Marc Anthony is no typical Salsa singer. He has a powerful voice – a range that is enviable by most singers. He can sing anything, English or Spanish. But, Spanish is his strength. Whatever he sings, party songs or love songs – his voice is sensual, confident, and soaring. He is the Prince of Salsa – the biggest-selling Salsa artist of all time.

While he doesn’t have a bad album in his extensive catalog, his two standout albums – Todo En Su Tiempo (Everything In Its Time) and Contra La Correinte (Against The Current) are must-haves. From the first album, the tunes Nadie Como Ella (Nobody Like Her), Te Conozco Bien (I Know You Well), and Hasta Ayer (Until Yesterday) are the best. And for those who haven’t heard Mrs. Anthony sing in Spanish, which she should do more of; the duet No Me Ames (Don’t Love Me) is a lovely song. They both shine!

In the recent Jennifer Lopez/Marc Anthony film, El Cantante, Anthony is luminescent in his singing performances as the legend, Héctor Lavoe. The entire album inspired by the movie is recommended to fans of both Lavoe and Anthony.

To watch the 2005 Grammy performance of Escapémonos, another Anthony/Lopez duet, go to the Blogroll on the right and click: Escapemonos Video

For the No Me Ames video, Click: No Me Ames Video