In many cases, putting out three best-of collections by the same artist in a four-year period would be excessive. Many artists -- even well known artists -- haven't done enough recording or had enough hits to warrant more than one best-of. But in the case of
Marco Antonio Solís, it is totally justified. This 72-minute best-of is the third
Solís collection in Fonovisa's La Historia Continúa series; the first came in 2003, followed by La Historia Continúa...Parte II in 2005 -- and all of them are well worth owning. When an artist has enjoyed as many hits as
Solís has enjoyed, assembling three best-ofs is not overkill; it is simply good business.
La Historia Continúa...Parte III is not radically different from its predecessors; the emphasis is on romantic Latin pop (
Solís' forte), and ballads are plentiful. The singer's hardcore fans will recognize sleek ballads like "Tu Eres Mi Lugar," "Para Que Seas Feliz," "Sin Lado Izquierdo" and "Y Yo Sin Ti," but
La Historia Continúa...Parte III isn't strictly for hardcore fans. A best-of should be appropriate for those with a more casual interest in the artist, and
Parte III does fit that description. Someone who appreciates
Solís but -- unlike his more obsessive fans -- doesn't feel the need to own anything and everything he has ever recorded will find this 17-song collection to be quite useful. Novices and casual listeners who appreciated the two previous La Historia Continúa collections can't go wrong by picking this up as well. [
Parte III is also available in a CD/DVD edition.] ~ Alex Henderson