Comedia
Héctor Lavoe · 1978
72 min · 12 tracks · salsa
A vibrant tapestry of salsa rhythms interwoven with heartfelt lyrics and Lavoe's dynamic vocal delivery.
Top tracks — play these first
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El cantante — This track serves as an autobiographical anthem for Lavoe, showcasing his struggles and triumphs through an emotionally charged performance that resonates deeply with audiences.
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Comedia — The title track encapsulates the album's theme of life's contradictions through clever lyricism and an infectious rhythm, making it a standout piece.
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La verdad — This song features poignant storytelling combined with rich orchestration, highlighting Lavoe's ability to convey deep emotion through music.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Lavoe's dynamic vocals and rich arrangements make this a standout salsa album with lasting appeal.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a strong, recognizable hit 'El cantante', setting a vibrant tone that carries through the first half.
- Tracks feature complex arrangements with brass and percussion that create a rich salsa sound, while Lavoe's vocal delivery varies from smooth to powerful.
- Several songs incorporate call-and-response elements between Lavoe and the backing chorus, enhancing the communal feel typical of salsa music.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic storytelling with vibrant peaks
- emotionally rich, poignant narratives
- danceable rhythms for lively gatherings
- reflective moments amidst upbeat tracks
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward, single-focused albums
- seek instant gratification in music
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1978, Comedia was Héctor Lavoe's fourth studio album, following the critically acclaimed album De Ti Depende. At this point in his career, Lavoe had already established himself as a central figure in the salsa movement, celebrated for his emotive singing style and powerful stage presence.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Willie Colón· Marc Anthony· Celia Cruz
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 El cantante 10:23
- 2 Comedia 3:27
- 3 La verdad 5:29
- 4 Tiempos pasados 4:24
- 5 Bandolera 9:31
- 6 ¿Por qué te conocí? 4:45
- 7 Songoro cosongo 7:46
- 8 Rompe saragüey 6:25
- 9 El todopoderoso 4:17
- 10 No hay quien te aguante 4:15
- 11 En el fiando 5:20
- 12 Escarcha 6:33
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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