I've always known that the very name Shakira is synonymous for "Sexy". From the very moment she exploded onto the music scene she's been acknowledged for moves that would make a lesser woman cry for a chiropractor, rivaled only, in the opinion of some by Beyonce. Alejandro Sanz on the other hand I have only ever thought of as the romantic balladeer, who could woo you with his dark, smokey tenor voice....but the other day I saw an old video of a duet between Shakira and Alejandro Sanz that not only confirmed her sexy, but showed me a side of Alejandro that until then I didn't know existed.

The duet is a song titled, "La Tortura" (Torture) The lyrics are no different than many romantic duets...but the video on the other hand puts an entirely different spin on things. In my opinion Shakira is one of the few female artists out there that could coax Alejandro into giving us a glimpse of his, "hidden sensualidad". It indeed is a pleasant surprise. It made me wonder....as steamy as Shakira can be if there was one Latin male artist that could be a match for her and maybe even help her find new heights of "sexy".....there can be only one answer to that question...*WINK*.....anyway I digress.

I think it only apropos that since both Shakira has been nominated for a Premio Lo Nuestro Award and Alejandro Sanz has been nominated for both a Premio Lo Nuestro and a Grammy Award, that we take a quick look back at this incredible duet.

"The music video for "La Tortura", directed by Michael Haussman, has a simple plot: from his new girlfriend's apartment, Sanz spies on Shakira as she is walking down the street holding a bag of onions on her way to her own apartment, which is on the other side of the street from Sanz' girlfriend's apartment. When Shakira enters her apartment, she changes clothes. From that moment on, Sanz remembers things the two had done in the past as a couple, while Shakira reveals her alter-ego dancing erotically on the building's roof, covered with black paint. The choreography of the music video was made by Jamie King and Shakira herself.
The music video is in itself somewhat notable, as it was the first time MTV showed a whole episode of their Making the Video series in another language (with English subtitles). It was also the second Spanish-language video ever to enter in Total Request Live's countdown, and peaked at number four on the countdown. It can also be noted that the video for "La Tortura" was one of the first in the Spanish-language to get heavy rotation on mainstream American and Canadian music channels such as MTV, VH1 and MuchMusic as in all almost over world Yahoo! sites. The remix version of the song, known as "La Tortura (Shaketon Remix)", has it own video (also directed by Haussman) featuring some previously unseen scenes. This video can be seen on Oral Fixation Volumes 1 & 2 Bonus DVD."

So with that...slide back to the year 2005 and experience a very enjoyable "La Tortura".....

~Peace

Have you ever heard a voice that from the very first note, could lull you into a euphoria that wrapped around you like a warm blanket.....then you've heard the voice of Alejandro Sanz. It's no wonder that Alejandro has been the recipient of 15 Latin Grammy's, 2 Grammy's, and is currently a nominee for the 2011 Grammy and Premio lo Nuestro awards.

To me the mark of great music is in it's ability to remain timeless. You can put on a track from his very first album and a track from his last and you wouldn't be able to which one was cut first. To top it off, Alejandro goes back and forth from playing piano to the acoustic guitar....I adore the sound of simple acoustic accompaniment.

To this point I haven't hear any music from Alejandro that's going to have you wanting to hit the clubs, but, he does produce music that makes you feel really good. Whether it makes you want to curl up with the one you love under a blanket in from front of a roaring fire and enjoy your favorite burgundy....or drop the top on your convertible on a sunny day and let the wind blow in your hair...there's a song in his discography just for such an occasion.

Music aside...I have learned over the years that Alejandro is very much the humanitarian. It's my belief that if a person is fortunate enough to gain a certain amount of notoriety in this life where they have the ability to speak on an issue and have their words or deeds reach the masses, then it's their obligation to do just that. Here is a man that is a mover and a shaker, he's not shy about voicing his opinion on an issue even if it's not popular. If Alejandro feels that he can help to affect change that will benefit the needy, then he will do so. Kudos and big warm hug Alejandro for all that you do.

Alejandro's next few tour dates are:

February 26, 2011, Vina Del Mar
March 2 and 3, 2011, Buenos Aires

for additional information please visit Alejandro's Official Website. There is so much great stuff on there you'll most definitely find something that you'll like. And of course all of his music can be found on iTunes

Best of luck to you Alejandro on the Grammy's.....but please don't be offended when Chayanne scoops all your categories in the Premio's *WINK*.

~Peace

BIOGRAPHY

Alejandro Sanz (Madrid, 1968) wisely unites modernity and tradition, but adding his very particular requirements, since the spirit of flamenco acts like a thermometer reading his states of mind, and helping him manipulate whimsically –a smile always in the way- the very roots of his solid and prolific musical career. These impressions are reflected in a convincing discography affirming Alejandro’s peculiar attitude on the stage, where his voice breaks to meet the sentimental expectations of those who listen to him. In his extensive catalogue nothing looks half-finished. You can find tears and dancing, cigarettes’ smoke and absence. The same way, his pictorial and photographic productions are only another vehicle to make the mind of the observers explode. Because Sanz is a fireworks artist, and he is able to laugh in the face of that sorrow he sings about, since he is inviting us to a party. In his records you can listen to the sound of cities, of objects, of his own family. Alejandro’s parents, Jesús Sánchez Madero and María Pizarro Medina, born in Algeciras and Alcalá de los Gazules (Cádiz-Spain), opened for him the gate of sound, as their life was coming and going (Jesús was member of two bands). From Andalucía and its endless fiesta to Madrilenian districts like Pueblo Nuevo and Moratalaz, Alejandro’s childhood was rooted in straightforward flamenco, in an atmosphere of bulerías, farrucas and martinetes; but he also lived the playful side of this genre, sevillanas, rumbas, tanguillos and alegrías. All of this forged his musical spirit, a spirit that has definitely infected the best international pop music, fortunately for us.

Translation by Candela

"Mandile is from Zimbabwe; he is 15 years old and is HIV positive. Just like him, more than two million children in the world suffer from Aids. Only one in ten children receives the proper treatment. (Alejandro Sanz goes into store and comes back with a little box of candy). The problem is simple, without treatment, there is no cure. (Puts candy in his mouth and says) To your health Mandile!

Ad reads as follows:

Pills against the pain of others – (Doctors without frontiers)

Help us treat and take care of millions of forgotten, sick people (Doctors without frontiers)

6 Mint Candies for sale in your pharmacy (Doctors without frontiers)

www.pastillascontraeldolorajeno.com (Doctors without frontiers)"

Translation by Candela

Best Male Pop Album – Alejandro Sanz with Paraiso Express (2010 Latin Grammy's)

"Well, thank you very much, thanks everybody! I was very excited and touched when I watched the opening presentation of the Latin Grammys because I was present at the very first one, and I remember it was very complicated and look how far we’ve come. So, we owe this all to the Academy of course, all of us that belong to it, and to all of you that make this possible. This Grammy is especially dedicated to my fans and to all of you who voted for me. Thank you very much!"

Alejandro Sanz: the figures

11 albums released
6 DVD’s
21 million copies sold
200 platinum recordings
15 Latin Grammy Awards
2 Grammy Award

Main Awards and Nominations:

1997
*AMIGO AWARD (Spain)
-Best Spanish Male Artist
*ONDAS AWARD (Spain)
-Best National Artist
*SPANISH MUSIC AWARDS (Spain):
-Best National Artist
-Best Composer
-Best Album for MÁS
-Best Single for "Corazón Partío"
-Best Video "Corazón Partío"

1998
*AMIGO AWARD (Spain)
-Special Tribute
*ONDAS AWARD (Spain)
-Best Song for "Corazón Partío"

1999
*WORLD MUSIC AWARDS (Monaco)
-Best Selling Spanish Artist

2000
*IFPI PLATINUM AWARDS For MÁS (Belgium)
*ONDAS AWARD
-Best Spanish Artist

2001
*2nd LATIN GRAMMY AWARDS (USA):
-Album of the Year for EL ALMA AL AIRE
-Recording of the Year EL ALMA AL AIRE
-Song of the Year for EL ALMA AL AIRE
-Best Male Pop Album for EL ALMA AL AIRE
*GARDEL AWARD (Argentina):
-Best Male Artist
-Album of the Year for EL ALMA AL AIRE

*IFPI PLATINUM AWARDS for EL ALMA AL AIRE
*Viña del Mar Song Festival (Chili):
-GAVIOTA DE ORO AWARD
-GAVIOTA DE PLATA AWARD
*MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS (USA)
-Winner "Video de la Gente" Award for EL ALMA AL AIRE

2002
*SPANISH MUSIC AWARDS (Spain):
-Best Song for "Y Solo Se Me Ocurre Amarte"
-Best Album for MTV UNPLUGGED
-Best Video for "El Alma Al Aire"
*3rd LATIN GRAMMY AWARDS:
-Album of the Year MTV UNPLUGGED
-Song of the Year for "Y Solo Se Me Ocurre Amarte"
-Song of the Year for "Y Solo Se Me Ocurre Amarte"
*GARDEL AWARD (Argentina):
-Best Male Artist
-Album of the Year MTV UNPLUGGED
*OYE AWARD (Mexico)
-Best Male Pop Artist
*LUNA AWARD (Mexico)
-International Ballad

2004
*46th ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS (USA)
-Best Latin Pop Album NO ES LO MISMO

*TU MUSICA AWARDS (Puerto Rico)

*5th LATIN GRAMMY AWARDS (USA)
-Recording of the Year for NO ES LO MISMO
-Album of the Year NO ES LO MISMO
-Song of the Year NO ES LO MISMO
-Best Male Pop Vocal Album for NO ES LO MISMO

*LUNA AWARDS (Mexico)
-Best Spanish Pop Artist

2005
*6th LATIN GRAMMY AWARDS (USA)
-Recordings of the Year TU NO TIENES ALMA
-Song of the Year TU NO TIENES ALMA

2007
*OYE AWARD (Mexico):
-Best Song for TE LO AGRADEZCO,PERO NO

2008
*50th ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS
-Best Latin Pop Album of the year, EL TREN DE LOS MOMENTOS