Diana Reyes - Reina Del Pasito Duranguense (CD)

All Music Guide

Diana Reyes is a raritya female solo artist in the maledominated duranguense area of regional Mexican music. Reyes isn't the only woman singing duranguense; Armando Terrazas, founder of Chicago's longrunning los Horóscopos de Durango, made a daring and commercially successful move whenafter years of overseeing maleoriented lineupshe decided to put his daughers Vicky and Marisol Terrazas right up front. But it is safe to say that historically, las mujeres (women) have been the exception instead of the rule in durganguense, which receives a very popminded treatment from Reyes on La Reina del Pasito Duranguense (The Queen of Duranguense). The Mexican singer, for the most part, doesn't use duranguense for traditionally ranchera purposes on this 2005 release; Reyes caters to those who like their duranguense laced with a big dose of Latin pop. Try to envision a duranguense interpretation of Selena, Ana Bárbara or Priscila y sus Balas de Plata; that is essentially where Reyes is coming from o...n hooky, infectious, popdrenched tracks like "Que Me Ame Mas" ("May He Love Me More"), "Como una Mariposa" ("Like a Butterfly"), "Mentiras" ("Lies") and "El Me Mintio" ("He Lied to Me"). Some might describe this type of regional Mexican ear candy as a "guility pleasure," but then, there's no reason to feel guility about enjoying ear candy as long as it's well doneand Reyes, like Bárbara, definitely provides aboveaverage ear candy (although unlike Bárbara, she isn't working in the grupero realm). La Reina del Pasito Duranguense isn't as eclectic or farreaching as albums by los Horóscopos de Durango; nonetheless, this memorable, pleasing disc is well worth obtaining if one is seeking something fresh from duranguense. - Alex Henderson, All Music Guide Read more Less