José Carreras - Energia (2004) [SACD]

This is music that practically makes your spine curl. Each track on this cd is a special gift - wrapped in José's mature and sensual voice and sung in the different languages of the Mediterranean.
All the songs are sung in languages that I normally have some problems understanding, but actually, you don't need to understand a single word because José's singing will make you understand all you need to know to appreciate the songs. Most of the songs are melancholic love songs, but they are by no means depressing, just achingly beautiful. And this kind of songs fits Carreras's voice like a glove. In "Herido de amor" (hurt by love) you can easily hear his pain and in the song "Haja o que Houver" (No matter what happens, I'll be waiting for you) which is a duet with Teresa Salgueiro from the Portuguese group Madredeus, you really believe that he's waiting for you.....And "La Joia" (the jewell) really is a jewel that's sung in Carreras's mother-tongue. All the tracks are actually "jewels", each in their own different way.
My absolute favourite track on this recording is "Mandulinata a Napule" which is sung in the strong Neapolitan dialect and accompanied by a Mediterranean choir. It's sung with such emotion and involvement as well as energy that if you close your eyes you're immediately transported to Naples.... It's one of those songs where you want to hit the repeat-button on your cd-player and just let it remain there.
This cd is a real gem and not to be missed by any of his fans, or anyone else, for that matter. It's not opera; it's not cross-over or anything else. It's beautiful music from Catalonia and Spain, Portugal, Italy and France sung by one of the most beautiful voices in the world. I can only say thank you, Josep. More of this please. And may you never stop singing.