Like
Eartha Kitt,
Caterina Valente appealed as much as for her ability to sing in many languages as for voice, style, beauty, etc. The follow-up to her first album,
Olé Caterina continues to plumb just the Spanish vein. And why not, since her first rendition of "Malagueña" was such a big hit? Unfortunately, the second album lacks the same power and spark. Fans of Spanish guitar and singing will appreciate the sincerity of the
Valente duo; She is joined by her brother
Silvio Francesco. But even such surefire chestnuts as "Babalu" and "Quien Sera" lack luster as pop songs intended for a global audience. The two perform again on a later all-Spanish album, Arriba, which is considerably more fun. ~ Tony Wilds