Selections from Tres Oraciones by Lourdes Perez

"Nómbrame" (Name Me), an homage to massacred Guatemalan villagers, is nuanced with a mournful cello that later burns with urgency, and ends in a mesmerizing whisper. Piano brightens the sassy tango "La Nana de José" (José's Nanny), while the instrumental "Santuarios," led in with a piano-violin-inflected waltz-like tempo, takes a delightfully unexpected turn to a plena rhythm. Though she's always worn both her heart and politics on her sleeve, Pérez does so without pretension. In Selections From Tres Oraciones, she expands her repertoire with introspective songs that celebrate nature and spiritual matters, without forgoing her commitments to peace and justice."

- Belinda Acosta, Austin Chronicle

"...achingly beautiful...audiences are stunned and enraptured...the power, wit an dignity that her deep-throated alto commands affects listeners whether they understand Spanish or not."

-Austin American Statesman

"Perez has a honey-coated contralto that transcends language...Perez lends an unwavering authenticity to her music reminiscent of legendary French chanteuse Edith Piaf"

- Vancouver Courier, CANADA (cover)

"...phenomenal acoustic guitar player...ultimately, Perez most impressive instrument is her voice...picture Edith Piaf astride a Harley, revving her engine in front of the International Headquarters of the Powers That Be"

- The Georgia Straight, CANADA

"Mercedes Sosa...yielded the stage to Puerto Rican singer Lourdes Perez...A warm, dynamic singer and beautiful guitarist, Perez drew a fervent and well-deserved ovation"

-Boston Globe

"...like Edith Piaf, she transcends language...a truly remarkable voice."

-Music City Texas

"Ms. Perez brought the ardent, near sobbing tones (to the Suffragette Tour), using her gutsy declamation to reminisce over lost love and to praise women's power to nurture life."

- The New York Times

"A VOICE OF MAXIMUM BEAUTY...(her) lyrics and melodies will remain recorded in the heart..."

- El Diario, CHIHUAHUA, MEXICO

"...now dropping to a whisper, now soaring into rich, dulcet tones rivaled only by the legendary Mercedes Sosa (to whom she is often compared), Perez transcends language...her music will caress you, hold you, heal you, surround you - you might even find tears streaming down your face at the clear calm strength of her voice...her imagery is startlingly beautiful..."

-Curve Magazine

"Perez has a unique and powerful voice...with her first song, there is no room left for doubt as to the splendor of her voice and her talent." - El Heraldo News (Ft. Worth)

"...her capacity to transcend language and her passion on stage have led many to consider her among the great female Latin American vocalists."

- ARTLIES magazine

"With her beautiful voice of thick smoke and clear honey, Lourdes Perez leaves deep footprints that we will remember forever."

-Gloria Anzaldua, author of Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza and co-editor of This Bridge Called My Back

(translated) "There are treasures in life that are worth more than all of the coffers in the world. That moment (when I heard you sing) was worth more than all of the money that Rockefeller and his entourage may have..."

- Rafael Cancel Miranda, patriot, writer, historian (to Perez onstage during her concert in PUERTO RICO)

"A Texas treasure..."

-ARTE (Dallas)

"...completely enrapturing voice..."

-La Prensa de San Antonio

"Her voice-that VOICE-is a warm bed of freshly turned, fertile earth and promise, which strikes out in defiance one moment and coos with hopeless romance the next...Likewise Perez' fingers take graceful strides across minor chords which sound like hectic gasps beating out time and calling out in urgency..."

-Austin Chronicle

"You don't have to understand Spanish to appreciate the passion in this voice and guitar...this one should not be missed."

-Austin Chronicle

"And when you listen (even if you don't understand Spanish), somehow you feel connected to places and people...extraordinary voice."

-ARRIBA Art & Business News

"smoky, spiraling alto...like Edith Piaf fronting the Gypsy Kings...Perez sings of her people with a supreme sense of humanity that enlarges them to signify all people."

-Michael Corcorran, Austin American Statesman

"...this is no ordinary voice...palpable intensity...timeless grace and quality...dazzling new works...masterful violin accompaniment...

-Peg Miller, Third Coast Music

"An original...Though comparisons (to Sosa and Piaf) are apt...Perez is no imitator...it's Perez' words...and her riveting voice that cause listeners to shut up and pay attention-close attention."

- Jim Beal, Jr. San Antonio Express News

SHORT BIOGRAPHY: Considered by many to be "among the great Latin American female vocalists" and highly acclaimed internationally for her "ability to transcend language...with her achingly beautiful contralto voice," Puerto Rican-born Lourdes Pérez has performed duets with numerous legendary artists, including Argentinean singer Mercedes Sosa. She is one of 1000 performers in the world profiled in the 2000 Music

Hound World Essential Album Guide and her second CD, Vestigios, was given 4 1/2 stars.

A prolific contemporary composer and poet, Lourdes' simply beautiful and timeless music draws upon the spiritually and politically passionate genres of cante jonde, morna, fado and nueva cancion as well as her own jibara (mountain) roots and the rich sounds of her adopted home, Mexico. Working closely with longtime artistic partner, Annette D'Armata Candela, Lourdes has collaborated with other musical groups, choreographers, filmmakers, writers and human rights groups internationally in performing arts centers, small theaters, war zones and in her community.

Her song for the people of Sierra Blanca, Texas was read into the U.S. Congressional record as part of a

successful campaign to prevent a poor, Mexican American community from becoming a nuclear waste dump.

A fiercely independent artist, she has received numerous commissions and awards for her work. FOR MORE BIOGRAPHICAL INFO,GO TO: http://www.lourdesperez.com

Currently based in Guanajuato, Mexico, Lourdes is available for touring with her group.

Contact: encantoproductions@yahoo.com for bookings.

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