MTV Unplugged
Spanish-born heartthrob Alejandro Sánchez Pizarro, better known to the world asAlejandro Sanz, burst onto the Latin pop charts as a 16-year-old with his hit "Los Chulos Son Pa' Cuidarlos." He followed that with a number of killer CDs, including his 1993 breakout,Si Tú Me Miras, which guest-starred flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucia, Nacho Maño, and Chris  Cameron. This 2001 live date, recorded in Miami, was nominated for the 2002 Latin Grammy Award for Album of the Year. It captures the pathos and passion of Sanz's tearful tenor voice much better than his studio dates. Backed by strings, horns, and a rhythm section with Latin percussion, Sanz's velvet voice is presented in a sonic setting that brings out his maturity. That maturity is heard on the flamenco-flavored dedication to his daughter, "Y Solo Se Me Ocurre Amarte," and on his standbys "Amiga Mia," "Corazón Partío," and "Quiero Morir en Tu Veneno." Though the format is known for its hype, it's on the mark with this artist.--Eugene Holley Jr.