The reasons an artist with momentum suddenly disappears from sight for an extended period can be personal or professional. And, upon their return, they may have lost a step or two. Not so for Manu Chao when he re-emerged with Viva Tu after 17 years of silencio. Some even went so far as to call him El Desaparecido ("The Disappeared") after a song from his debut album.
With Viva Tu, Chao picks up where he left off, rejoicing in music that spans generations, genres, and geography. As suggested by the title and the gentle rumba track it's drawn from, from Barcelona to São Paulo – with a stop in Texas to let Willie Nelson hop onto one track – Chao celebrates life and the people who live it.
Spanish, English, French, and Portuguese each have their moments on Viva Tu, showcasing the truly global heart and reach of Chao's artistry. But even as it's multi-lingual, this music is far from inaccessible. As AllMusic.com notes, “Once again, this is a set of simple, immediate, and extremely catchy tunes, constructed from bits and pieces of sonic collages that blend electronic loops with acoustic instrumentation, rhythm accents from multiple cultures, and messages that intermingle personal and sociopolitical issues.”
Many mark Chao's debut release, Clandestino, as his best, but this one is just so delightful, it's hard to ignore. AllMusic concludes that “the warm and engaging songs of Viva Tu sound positively inspired and refreshing. A most welcome return to form for the French-Spanish globetrotting troubadour.”
Hear the whole episode April 1 at 6 am, 12 pm, and 6 pm PT.
