1. Windows of Dreams
2. El Arbol
3. En El Tambo
4. Mi India
5. Sin Tu Querer
6. Friend For Life
7. In The Closet
8. Soledad
9. Angel De Mil Voces
10. Mil Besos
11. Crusin' To The Hop
12. Di Choso
Product Description
In the mid-70s, as the lead singer of legendary group El Chicano, Arvizu and the band came to be known as premier ambassadors of the East LA sound - an amalgam of rock, jazz, R&B, and Latin groove. "Friend For Life" is Arvizu's story strung into a dozen songs - sung both in Spanish and English - songs of love, despair, and survival. A recording that's both intimately personal and dance floor approachable. Produced by Ry Cooder (Buena Vista Social Club, Chavez Ravine, talking Timbuktu). RIYL: Buena Vista Social Club, Santana, War.
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Friend for Life
- Audio CD: 0 pages (2008-05-06)
- Publisher: Anti
- Label: Anti
- Studio: Anti
- Average Customer Review:
 based on 4 reviews
- Sales Rank in Music: #42709
Avg. Customer Review:
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: Gorgeous Debut, Thirsty Years in the Making 2008-06-13
Comment: Ersi Arvizu joins the rank of great people who finally get a chance to share their talent and passion with a wider audience You may think of Social Vista Social Club or Chavez Ravine--where she first worked with Ry Cooder and made a mark on my ears--although this album is different or even more stunning, if you compare it to those two, respectively.
Arvizu's life is not your typical singer's biography. Beginning to sing about thrity years ago, she made a mark in the budding East LA sound then but success never really followed. Actually, she never recorded an album of her own and became a boxer and then trainer to other fighters for part of the last three decades. It took Cooder's Chavez Ravine project to bring her to us, and we should all be grateful to Ry for this.
Ersi is an extraordinary singer, with a heart and range that many successful singers--female or male--ought to envy and learn from. If you heard her in "Muy Fifi" and "Sol y Sombra"--two great songs in Ravine--you already know this and might have been as happy as I was when I found that she recorded this gem.
Accompanied by Cooder, who also produced, and a host of superb musicians, Arvizu nails sensual, rocking tunes and gorgeous ballads with complete ease. Particular standous for me are the extremely moving "Mi India" that's dedicated to her father, "En El Tambo," "Cruisin' To The Hop," and "Sin Tu Querer." The rest is not far behind, by the way, and other songs can easily become your songs.
All in all, this is one the best albums of '08 and, perhaps, the most rewarding example of belated musical justice in a long time.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: Friend for Life CD 2008-06-07
Comment: I have known Ersi for many years as a boxing coach. I remember being told she was, at one time, a very famous and popular Hispanic singer. I'm really glad I purchased her latest CD. She has a beautiful voice; I especially like the track where she praises her former boxers since I know both the Castillos. She has a warm, rich voice but can also be playful and modern in her approach to songs. I highly recommend this CD.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: Soul From The Heart 2008-06-03
Comment: A biographical journey chronicalling Arvizu's life. This collection of songs is a testament to her sheer willpower mixed with the grace of someone who has experienced the positive and negative's of living, unadorned with the false histrionics found in so much of modern music. Songs that are not just sung but lived, you can actually feel the pain and joy through her voice. Kudo's to Ry Cooder for facilitating Arvizu's return to recording. It's refreshing to listen to an artist who actually has composition's of substance which are so personal you almost seem to be peering over her shoulder's and viewing life through her eye's.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: Outstanding! A Lovely Voice and Beautiful Music 2008-05-07
Comment: This album is simply outstanding. Ersi Arizu has a sultry voice you will love to listen to. The emotion in her voice and the beautiful songs are a joy to listen to. Songs in both Spanish and English. The songs Mi India, Dichoso & Sin Tu Querer are really standouts.
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Friend for Life
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