The Better Version?

[Buenchico]

Past experience should probably have taught me that posting music videos here in languages other than English is unlikely to get much of a response but here goes anyway:

Anyone who knows Rosario Flores's song "Te Quiero, Te Quiero" surely knows that
(a) it's one of the finest songs ever written ; and
(b) it doesn't lend itself easily to cover versions.

So I'll offer you two cover versions and ask you which one you think is the best.

Firstly, here's Alejandro Fernández giving it his all. He's undoubtedly one of the most popular singers in the world, whose concerts sell out years in advance. He's got the backing of a full orchestra here and it's certainly a fine performance. However for me it seems to lack the true emotional power of the original and it sounds like a vocally sanitised version to fit in with his lounge-singer's style:

[Buenchico]

Then I'll give you this.

For me, it's true to the original with the emotional punch that it carries. It also displays amazing vocal dexterity and superb harmonies. (Watch for the moment when the coaches and audience all leap to their feet in amazement at what these two kids can do).

I think that it's by far the better version. I suspect that Rosario Flores would agree too. Do you?

[Jackdaw33]

Me no speak Spaneesh. Me not fron Barthelona!

[Buenchico]

They don't speak Spanish in Barcelona, JD33!

[Mamyalynne]

I don't usually comment on the choice of music of others but you have asked opinion - I don't care for either version. It's not my kind of music.

Almost impossible to compare a grown man with a fully developed voice plus orchestra with two cute boys on a talent show.

The boys will be stars I have no doubt.

[Jackdaw33]

Well Manuel did in Fawlty Towers!

[andy-hughes]

Buenchicho // They don't speak Spanish in Barcelona, JD33! //

Are you sure about that one Chris?

[Buenchico]

Although I loved Fawlty Towers, JD33, it always annoyed me when Manuel said "I from Barthelona" because 'c' only becomes 'th' in Spanish and never in Catalan!

[Buenchico]

Andy:
Although everyone in Barcelona can actually speak Spanish (and probably watches TV in Spanish), they're likely to get offended if you try to speak to them in Spanish. Either make an attempt at the local language (Catalan) or use English!

[andy-hughes]

I was not aware of that - thanks for the update, and apologies if I appeared flippant - you obviously know more about Spanish culture than I do, or jackdaw does, and possibly more than both of us put together!!!

[Jackdaw33]

Although I am fairly fluent in French and Russian I confess that I have never studied Spanish. It seems to me, though, from what little I've read, that 'c' in Spanish is similar to 'c' in French; hard before a,o and u, unless marked with a cedilla, but soft before e and i.

[NoMercy]

The C in Spanish is pronounced like a TH if it precedes an I or an E.

Eg ... "Morcilla" (Mor-thee-ah)

[Mamyalynne]

Looks like the songs weren't the topic, oh well ;-)

[NoMercy]

That's Chatterbank for you, Mamya.

[rockyracoon]

"they're likely to get offended if you try to speak to them in Spanish. Either make an attempt at the local language (Catalan) or use English!"
We never found this to be the case at all. My daughter practised her GCSE Spanish in Barcelona and received a very nice response from the locals that she spoke to.

[NoMercy]

^^^Similarly in Valencia I was never frowned upon for not speaking Valenciano. By their own admission it's a very difficult language to speak.