México en la Piel (album)

México en la Piel (Mexico in the Flesh)[1] is the sixteenth studio album by Mexican singer Luis Miguel. Released on 9 November 2004 by Warner Music Latina, it is Miguel's first mariachi album. The record contains thirteen mariachi covers, accompanied by the Vargas de Tecalitlán folk ensemble. Armando Manzanero was its musical director, and Miguel its producer. The album was recorded at Ocean Way Recording in Hollywood, California in July 2004. A special edition, México en la Piel: Edición Diamante, was released on 5 September 2005 with two additional songs and a DVD with five music videos. Four singles were released from the album: "El Viajero", "Que Seas Feliz", "Sabes una Cosa", and "Échame a Mí la Culpa". "Mi Ciudad" was released as a single from the special edition.

México en la Piel
Studio album by
Luis Miguel
Released9 November 2004 (2004-11-09)
RecordedJuly 2004
StudioOcean Way Recording
(Hollywood, California)
GenreMariachi
Length39:39[1]
LanguageSpanish
LabelWarner Music Latina
ProducerLuis Miguel
Luis Miguel chronology
33
(2003)		 México en la Piel
(2004)		 Grandes Éxitos
(2005)
Luis Miguel video chronology
Mis Boleros Favoritos
(2002)		 México en la Piel: Edición Diamante
(2005)		 Grandes Éxitos
(2005)
Singles from México en la Piel
  1. "El Viajero"
    Released: 15 September 2004
  2. "Que Seas Feliz"
    Released: 26 September 2004
  3. "Sabes una Cosa"
    Released: 22 January 2005
  4. "Échame a Mí la Culpa"
    Released: 2005
Singles from México en la Piel: Edición Diamante
  1. "Mi Ciudad"
    Released: 29 August 2005

The album received mixed reviews from music critics; some praised Miguel's delivery and Mariachi Vargas's music, and others found its arrangements too smooth. However, it received the Grammy Award for Best Mexican/Mexican-American Album and the Latin Grammy Award for Best Ranchero Album and reached number one in Argentina, Spain and on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart in the United States. By 2011, the album had sold over three million copies. Miguel embarked on a two-year tour which grossed over $90 million, the highest-grossing tour by a Latin artist.

Background and recording

Miguel released 33, a pop album with original material, in 2003. It received unfavorable reviews from music critics (who found the album too similar to his previous pop recordings), and was commercially unsuccessful.[2][3] On 4 August 2004, Miguel announced that he would release an album of mariachi standards in November.[4] As to why he chose to record an album of mariachi covers, he said: "I did it with the intention of rescuing, to revive them for young people, songs that can not be forgotten", calling it a tribute to his roots.[5] México en la Piel was recorded at Hollywood's Ocean Way Recording in July 2004. Miguel collaborated with Vargas de Tecalitlán on the album and enlisted his longtime collaborator, Mexican singer-songwrtier Armando Manzanero, to assist with its musical direction.[4] Miguel produced the album himself.[6]

Release

México en la Piel was released on 9 November 2004 by Warner Music Latina.[7] The album has twelve cover songs and a bonus track: "Sabes una Cosa".[8] On 31 January 2005, Warner Music reissued the album with alternate back-cover artwork. Its back cover originally featured a sepia-tinted Mexican flag, but the Mexican government asked the record label to remove it due to Mexican law which prohibits altering the flag's colors.[9] The back cover was changed to a photo of a charro on a horse.[10] A special edition of the album, México en la Piel: Edición Diamante, was released on 5 September 2005. It had two new tracks ("Por un Amor" and "Mi Ciudad") and a DVD with five music videos of Miguel's mariachi songs.[11]

Promotion

To promote México en la Piel, Miguel began a tour on 13 September 2005 at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.[12][13] The singer toured the United States, Mexico, South America and Spain.[14][15] The tour ended on 23 September 2007 at the Hyundai Pavilion in San Bernardino, California.[16] It grossed over $90 million from 124 performances and over 1.4 million spectators, the highest-grossing tour by a Latin artist.[17][18] The tour's set list consisted of mariachi songs from México en la Piel, boleros and uptempo tracks from Miguel's previous albums.[19] He included songs from his holiday album, Navidades (2006), for the tour's fourth leg.[20]

Singles

"El Viajero", the album's first single, was released on 15 September 2004 to coincide with Mexican Independence Day.[21] Its music video was filmed in Amatitán, Jalisco and was directed by Pedro Torres.[22] The second single from the album, "Que Seas Feliz", was released on 26 September 2004.[23] The single peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart and number nine on the Regional Mexican Songs chart.[24][25] Its video, also filmed in Amatitán and directed by Torres, co-stars Mexican actress Yadhira Carrillo.[26] "Que Seas Feliz" is the main theme for the Mexican telenovela, Apuesta por un amor (2004).[27] "Sabes una Cosa" was released as the album's third single on 22 January 2005 and peaked at numbers eight and nine on the Hot Latin Songs and Regional Mexican Songs charts, respectively.[24][25][10] The album's fourth single, "Échame a Mí la Culpa", reached number 18 on the Hot Latin Songs chart.[24] "De Qué Manera Te Olvido" was released as a promo single in Spain.[28] "Mi Ciudad" was released on 29 August 2005 as a single promoting the special edition of México en la Piel.[29]

Critical reception and accolades
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Chicago Sun-Times[30]
Los Angeles Times[3]

AllMusic critic Alex Henderson gave México en la Piel four out of five stars, praising Miguel for recording a mariachi album. Henderson also praised Mariachi Vargas's involvement, and called the album "among [Miguel's] most essential releases."[1] Billboard editor Leila Cobo also gave the album a positive review, saying that Miguel's vocal delivery is "infused with a gusto and genuine enthusiasm" and calling the tracks "stylized and radio-friendly."[31] Laura Emerick of the Chicago Sun-Times gave it two out of four stars, writing that Miguel performs with his "trademark full-bore style" and Manzanero's arrangements were "strictly retro", with "glossy" orchestration.[30] Los Angeles Times critic Augustin Gurza also gave the album two out of four stars, writing that the tracks were "dressed up by busy orchestral arrangements that replace country grittiness with urbane pretensions." According to Gurza, Mariachi Vargas couldn't "muster much mariachi spirit" and the record seemed "soulless."[3] Mario Tarradell of The Dallas Morning News called it Miguel's "best disc in years", noting that the album "showcases the Mexican vocalist challenging himself with a batch of passionate songs".[32]

At the 6th Annual Latin Grammy Awards in 2005, México en la Piel was the Best Ranchero Album.[33] At the 13th Annual Billboard Latin Music Awards that year, it was the Best Regional Mexican Album by a Male Solo Artist.[34] The album was the Best Mexican/Mexican-Album at the 2006 Grammy Awards.[35]

Commercial performance

In the United States, México en la Piel debuted atop the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart on the week of 27 November 2004[36] and spent five weeks at number one.[37] The album ended 2005 as the seventh-bestselling Latin album in the country, and was certified quadruple platinum in the Latin field by the Recording Industry Association of America for shipping 400,000 copies.[38][39] It peaked at number 37 on the Billboard 200 and topped the Regional Mexican Albums charts.[40][41] In Mexico, the album topped the Top 100 Mexico chart and was 2005's third-bestselling record.[42] It was certified triple platinum and diamond by the Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas for shipping 800,000 copies.[43]

México en la Piel topped the Argentine album chart, and was certified double platinum by the Argentine Chamber of Phonograms and Videograms Producers for shipping 80,000 copies.[44][45] It also reached number one in Spain, and was certified platinum for shipping 100,000 units.[46][47] The album was certified platinum in Chile and Colombia, and double platinum in Venezuela.[48][49] By 2011, México en la Piel had sold over three million copies.[50]

Track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."El Viajero"
  • Roberto Sierra García
  • José "Pepe" Martínez
3:36
2."Entrega Total"Abelardo Pulido2:13
3."Échame a Mí la Culpa"José Ángel Espinoza3:09
4."México en la Piel"José Manuel Fernández Espinoza3:29
5."Cruz de Olvido"Juan Zaizar3:30
6."De Qué Manera Te Olvido"Federico Méndez2:31
7."Luz de Luna"Álvaro Carrillo2:54
8."Motivos"Italo Pizzolante3:32
9."Cielo Rojo"
  • Juan Zaizar
  • David Zaizar
2:55
10."Paloma Querida"José Alfredo Jiménez2:45
11."Que Seas Feliz"Consuelo Velázquez3:05
12."Un Mundo Raro"Jiménez2:40
13."Sabes una Cosa" (Bonus track)
3:20
Edición Diamante
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
14."Por un Amor"Gilberto Parra2:42
15."Mi Ciudad"Guadalupe Trigo3:37
Total length:45:59
Edición Diamante DVD
No.TitleWriter(s)Video directorLength
1."Que Seas Feliz" (from México en la Piel, 2004)VelázquezPedro Torres3:06
2."El Viajero" (from México en la Piel, 2004)
  • Sierra
  • Martínez
Torres3:40
3."Y" (from Vivo, 2000)Mario de Jesús BáezDavid Mallet2:57
4."La Bikina" (from Vivo, 2000)FuentesMallet3:01
5."La Media Vuelta" (from Segundo Romance, 1994)JiménezTorres4:28

Personnel

Adapted from AllMusic:[51]

Performance credits
  • Paulina Aguirre – chorus
  • Alberto Alfaro – violin
  • Martin Alfaro – violin
  • Gustavo Alvarado – trumpet
  • Fernando Martínez Arreguín – violin
  • Phil Ayling – flute, oboe
  • Robert Becker – viola
  • Víctor "El Pato" Cárdenas – vihuela
  • Luis Conte –percussion
  • Larry Corbett –cello
  • Daniel Greco – marimba
  • Julio Hernández – violin
  • Kim Hutchcroft – flute
  • Julio Martínez – arpa
  • Darrin McCann – viola
  • Luis Miguel – lead vocals
  • Tommy Morgan – harmonica
  • Carlos Murguía – chorus
  • Dan Navarro – chorus
  • Kenny O'Brien – chorus
  • Felipe Pérez – violin
  • Juan Rodríguez – violin
  • Enrigue Santiago – guitarron
  • Xavier Serano – trumpet
  • Daniel Smith – cello
  • Ramón Stagnaro – acoustic guitar
  • Richard Todd – French horn
  • Federico Torres – Trumpet
  • Gisa Vatcky – chorus
  • Tata Vega – chorus
  • Brad Warnaar – French horn

Technical credits
  • Alejandro Asensi – executive producer
  • Jeff Burns – production assistant
  • Michael Eleopoulos – production assistant
  • Jeri Heiden – graphic design
  • Joanne Jaworowski – graphic design
  • Francisco Loyo – producer
  • Salo Loyo – engineer
  • Armando Manzanero – musical direction, pre-production
  • Diego Manzanero – pre-production
  • Alan Mason – mixing assistant
  • Ron McMaster – mastering engineer
  • Andrew McPherson – photography
  • Luis Miguel – audio production, producer
  • Glen Nakasako – graphic design
  • Rafa Sardina – engineer
  • Shari Sutcliffe – production coordination
  • Kevin Szymanski – mixing assistant

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Argentina (CAPIF)[45] 2× Platinum 80,000^
Chile (IFPI)[48] Platinum 20,000^
Colombia (ASINCOL)[48] Platinum 20,000^
Mexico (AMPROFON)[43] 3× Platinum+Diamond 800,000^
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[47] Platinum 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[39] 4× Platinum (Latin) 400,000^
Venezuela (APFV)[49] 2× Platinum 20,000* 

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

References
  1. Henderson, Alex. "Mexico en la Piel - Luis Miguel". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  2. Riera, Alejandro (10 November 2003). "Luis Miguel plays it safe with weak songs". Chicago Tribune. tronc. Archived from the original on 10 January 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  3. Gurza, Agustin (28 November 2004). "Jazzy, rhythmic, sublime". Los Angeles Times. Tronc. Archived from the original on 18 October 2015. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  4. "Luis Miguel vuelve con Mariachi". El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish). 4 August 2004. Archived from the original on 18 May 2009. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  5. "Luis Miguel: "México en la piel" es un tributo a mis raíces musicales". Emol (in Spanish). 10 November 2004. Archived from the original on 15 May 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  6. "México en la piel". Semana (in Spanish). 28 November 2004. Archived from the original on 15 May 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  7. Junyent, Toni (5 November 2004). "Luis Miguel: México en la piel". Nosotras (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 16 May 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  8. "Cantar de la tierra mía". Clarín (in Spanish). 11 November 2004. Archived from the original on 16 May 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  9. Aguilera, Teresa (29 January 2005). "América Latina". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. 117 (5): 28. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  10. "Editan disco de Luis Miguel México en la piel sin el lábaro patrio". La Crónica de Hoy (in Spanish). 22 January 2005. Archived from the original on 15 May 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  11. "Luismi reeditará México en la piel". La Nación (in Spanish). 27 August 2005. Archived from the original on 16 May 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  12. "Luis Miguel Planning Extensive Tour". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 17 June 2005. Archived from the original on 19 September 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  13. "Year-End Top 100 Tours" (PDF). Pollstar. 15 January 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 25 May 2013.
  14. "Luis Miguel se embarca en la mayor gira de su carrera". Los 40 (in Spanish). 20 June 2005. Archived from the original on 18 May 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  15. "Luis Miguel recorre su carrera en Madrid | elmundo.es". El Mundo (in Spanish). 13 May 2007. Archived from the original on 27 February 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  16. "Boxscore Concert Grosses". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. 119 (43): 24. 27 October 2007. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  17. "Luis Miguel: Friday, Sept. 14, 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. -". Las Vegas Sun. 29 June 2018. Archived from the original on 14 September 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  18. LaBlanc, Michael L. (2008). Contemporary Musicians (62 ed.). Detroit, Michigan: Gale Research. p. 138. ISBN 9780787680756.
  19. Gallaga, Omar L. (5 November 2005). "Luis Miguel thunders into rousing show". Austin American-Statesman. p. 33.
  20. "Ofrece Luis Miguel concierto íntimo en Guadalajara". El Universal (in Spanish). 11 December 2006. Archived from the original on 20 May 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  21. "Luis Miguel dará grito con tema ranchero". El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish). 14 September 2004. Archived from the original on 15 May 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  22. "Luis Miguel 'viaja' en México con nuevo video". El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish). 21 September 2004. Archived from the original on 15 May 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  23. "Luis Miguel estrena "Que seas feliz" a ritmo de mariachi". Plainview Daily Herald (in Spanish). Hearst Corporation. 26 September 2004. Archived from the original on 15 May 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  24. "Luis Miguel: Chart history – Hot Latin Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
  25. "Luis Miguel: Chart history – Regional Mexican Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
  26. Torres, Alberto Castillo (27 October 2004). "Luis Miguel 'pierde un amor'". El Universal (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 15 May 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  27. Hernández, Elizabeth (22 October 2004). "Le 'apuestan' al erotismo y la pasión". El Universal (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 16 September 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  28. Luis Miguel (2004). De Que Manera Te Olvido (Promo single CD). Spain: Warner Music Spain, a division of Warner Music Group. SP1027W.
  29. "Luis Miguel estrena 'Mi Ciudad'". Los 40 (in Spanish). 29 August 2005. Archived from the original on 15 May 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  30. Emerick, Laura (14 November 2004). "Spin Control". Chicago Sun-Times. Sun-Times Media Group. Archived from the original on 20 May 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  31. Cobo, Leila (20 November 2004). "Mexico en la Piel". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on 11 October 2015. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  32. Tarradell, Mario (7 November 2005). "Luis Miguel emerges anew - Latin Music Review: Mexican vocalist brings verve to 6,000 at Nokia Theatre". The Dallas Morning News. A. H. Belo Corporation.
  33. Gurza, Agustin (4 November 2005). "Playing to a Familiar Audience". Los Angeles Times. Tronc. Archived from the original on 11 September 2016. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  34. "2005 Billboard Latin Music Awards Winners". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 29 April 2005. Archived from the original on 18 February 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  35. "Complete list of 2006 Grammy winners". The Baltimore Sun. Tronc. 9 February 2006. Archived from the original on 21 September 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  36. "Latin Albums: The Week of 27 November 2004". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 27 November 2004. Archived from the original on 29 March 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  37. "Top Latin Albums – 2004 Archive". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on 16 March 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  38. "Top Billboard Latin 50 Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 11 November 2005. Archived from the original on 15 May 2017. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  39. "American album certifications – Luis Miguel – Mexico en la Piel". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 16 May 2018. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click Type, then select Latin, then click SEARCH. 
  40. "Luis Miguel Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  41. "Luis Miguel Chart History (Regional Mexican Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  42. "Top 100 Album" (PDF) (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 February 2010. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
  43. "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Retrieved 16 May 2018. Type Luis Miguel in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and Mexico en la Piel in the box under TÍTULO
  44. "Hits of the World". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. 116 (49): 39. 4 December 2004. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  45. "Discos de oro y platino" (in Spanish). Cámara Argentina de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
  46. "Hits of the World". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. 116 (48): 46. 27 November 2004. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  47. "Spanish album certifications" (in Spanish). Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 16 May 2018. Select Albums under "Chart", enter 2005 in the field "Year". Select 02 in the field "Semana". Click on "Search Charts".
  48. "Luis Miguel tendrá edición especial". El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish). 11 August 2005. Archived from the original on 15 May 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  49. "Luis Miguel Regresa El Rey" (PDF). Sexenio (in Spanish). Grupo Sexenio. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
  50. "Luis Miguel presentó Labios de miel en Miami". Ahora Noticias (in Spanish). 20 May 2011. Archived from the original on 16 May 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  51. "Mexico en la Piel – Credits". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  52. "Luis Miguel Chart History (Top Latin Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  53. "Top 50 Albumes 2004" (in Spanish). Productores de Música de España. 2004. Archived from the original on 30 July 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  54. "Top Regional Mexican Albums Titles". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 26 November 2005. Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  55. "Los más vendidos 2018" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Archived from the original on 24 January 2019. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.