Anthology (Selena album)

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Anthology
White album artwork of Anthology, a box-set by Selena written in a gold cursive font
Box set by
Selena
ReleasedApril 7, 1998 (1998-04-07)
Recorded1985—1995
StudioQ-Productions
Genre
Length1:50:01
LanguageEnglish, Spanish
EMI Latin
Producer
Selena chronology
Selena
(1997) 		Anthology
(1998)
All My Hits: Todos Mis Exitos

(1999)
Selena remix chronology
Siempre Selena
(1996) 		Anthology
(1998) 		Enamorada de Ti
(2012)

Anthology is the first

EMI Latin to commemorate the singer's works. The collection comprises 30 tracks, dispersed across three genre-themed discs: "Pop / English" showcases uptempo pop compositions, "Mariachi" highlights Mexican ballads featuring poignant narratives of heartache, and "Cumbia" presents danceable tropical rhythms. The album encompasses recordings from a 14-year-old Selena on her Alpha (1986) album to the posthumous "Disco Medley" (1997). With a limited number of unaltered tracks, Anthology predominantly features reworked and remastered musical arrangements, while preserving the singer's original vocals. Selena's death in March 1995 prompted an influx of requests from her admirers. The singer's father and manager, Abraham Quintanilla
, expressed a desire to maintain his daughter's legacy through her music. However, Selena's family has faced criticism from both fans and the media, who accuse them of capitalizing on her death and commodifying her repertoire.

The album garnered favorable acclaim from

Top Latin Albums and Regional Mexican Albums chart, selling 10,500 units in its inaugural week. The album also reached number 131 on the Billboard 200 chart and maintained its position atop the Regional Mexican Albums chart for 11 weeks—the longest duration for any album in that year. Anthology ended 1998 as the best-selling Regional Mexican Albums chart in the US, while it placed 12th on the Top Latin Albums year-end chart. Anthology has been certified Diamond (Latin) by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), denoting 600,000 units consisting of sales and on-demand streaming
.

Background and production

On March 31, 1995, American

Suzette Quintanilla, and Selena, the trio had collectively concurred that, should any misfortune befall one of them, their desire would be to persist with their musical endeavors.[12] A. B. recounted that Selena expressed a wish for her presence to "never go away".[13] In the years since Selena's death, her family has faced censure from fans and the media, who have accused them of exploiting the singer and capitalizing on her murder by commodifying her repertoire.[14]

Enclosed within Anthology is a biographical booklet penned by Abraham, in which he recounts the numerous requests he received from individuals seeking a compilation of the singer's oeuvre, expressing his hope that the album fulfills the demand.[15] EMI Latin lauded Anthology as the inaugural collection produced in honor of Selena.[16] Throughout the production process, Abraham characterizes his family's emotions as a manifestation of "a labor of love" and dedicates the album to Selena's fans. He extends gratitude to them for their unwavering support in aiding Selena in realizing her musical ambitions.[15]

Music

Anthology encompasses a wide array of songs, ranging from a 14-year-old Selena's recordings featured on her

remastered musical arrangements, while preserving the singer's original vocals.[15] The production team extracted Selena's vocals and thoroughly restructured the musical components. Selena's Los Dinos band expressed satisfaction with the album's final result.[19] The compilation features tracks recorded by Selena prior to her affiliation with EMI Latin in 1989, while songs released during her engagement with the label were recorded under her father's studio, Q-Productions.[16]

The first disc, thematically titled "Pop / English", commences with "Always Mine", an upbeat composition that became Selena's initial foray into English-language pop music, a long-standing aspiration for both her and A. B. upon entering the music industry. The remix rendition of "

The Orlando Sentinel, music critics Natalie Pignato and Umatilla High observed that the first disc maintains its rapid, accelerated beats from the initial track to the last.[17]

The second disc, designated and themed "Mariachi", commences with "El Ramalazo", recorded by Selena in 1986.

Tú Sólo Tú", also initially intended for the Don Juan DeMarco soundtrack,[24] which concludes the second disc's track listing.[22] The second disc exudes a subdued presence, encompassing Mexican ballads characterized by narratives of heartbreak.[17]

Initiating the third disc, titled and themed "Cumbia", is "Yo Te Daré", which was modernized for Anthology alongside "La Puerta Se Cerró". The former, originally a salsa track from 1988, was updated to mirror the arrangements found in "Si Una Vez" (1994).[26] In the album, it manifests as a cumbia with comprehensive mariachi instrumentation, accentuated by accordion and requinto elements.[20] The third track, "Corazoncito" appears on Anthology in what Abraham dubs "an even funkier arrangement."[26] Originally recorded in 1985 as a ballad, "Enamorada de Ti" commences slowly but swiftly metamorphoses into a contemporary pop cumbia. The fifth track, "No Debes Jugar" originally appeared on Selena Live! This is succeeded by "Cariño Mío", which ranked among the most-requested songs for Selena to perform in the 1980s. The track underwent a transformation from cumbia to tropical salsa. The subsequent song, "Salta La Ranita", is updated with an accordion, offering listeners a richer tapestry of instrumentation compared to its original minimalist rendition. In the eighth song, "Te Amo Solo A Ti", producers extracted Selena's vocals from the initial track and overlaid them onto a hybrid rhythm fusing cumbia and ranchera. Abraham expressed astonishment at the updated song's natural sound, given the stark stylistic disparities between cumbia and ranchera.[26] The penultimate song, "La Llamada" features the protagonist's former lover contacting her and asserting his innocence; however, rejecting his justifications, she demands he cease contacting her.[27] The third disc culminates with "Baila Esta Cumbia", previously included in Ven Conmigo (1990).[28] According to critics Pignato and High, the third disc encompasses a greater number of Selena's finest works compared to the preceding discs.[17]

Release and reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic
[29]

Originally slated for release on March 31, 1998, Anthology was deferred to April 7 due to insufficient inventory in music stores. The label, anticipating high demand for the album, deemed this a "sensitive issue" and consequently postponed the release by an additional week.[19] Anthology is a triple box set comprising 30 tracks across three compact discs or cassette tapes, with each genre-themed volume containing ten tracks.[17][18]

The album has garnered positive responses from music critics. Writing for

Allmusic, Stephen Thomas Erlewine described Anthology as a "comprehensive overview" of Selena's musical career, providing listeners with a diverse array of the singer's talents. However, he noted the absence of some of her best works, such as "Dreaming of You" (1995).[29] Echoing Erlewine's sentiments, The Orlando Sentinel's music critics Pignato and High asserted that Anthology exemplifies Selena's prowess in recording songs spanning various genres. They further opined that the album represents the singer's "crossover dream come true" more so than its posthumous predecessors, deeming it a "must-have for fans".[17] Rosanna Ruiz of Fort Worth Star-Telegram contended that the album showcases Selena's extensive talents across the three explored genres.[19]

Like its predecessors, Anthology is designed to highlight Selena's aptitude for singing an assortment of styles—from Anglo pop to mariachi—without alienating her devoted Tejano fanbase.

All My Hits: Todos Mis Éxitos (1999), Newsday music critic Richard Torres recommended Anthology for those interested in exploring more of Selena's songs.[33]

Commercial performance

Fernando del Valle, writing for

Rio Valley displaying Anthology in advance of its official release. Laura Fajardo, manager of Camelot Music in Harlingen, Texas, observed that while "Selena fever" persists, it is not as fervent as before.[34] A record store in Fort Worth similarly reported customers inquiring about the album, though interest has diminished compared to the period immediately following her death.[35] EMI Latin distributed 300,000 units to stores throughout the US in anticipation of the release.[36]

Anthology debuted at number one on the US

Nielsen SoundScan began tabulating Latin album sales in 1993. The album sold 10,500 units, less than its predecessor Siempre Selena, which debuted with 14,500 units,[37] while it entered the Billboard 200 chart at number 144.[38] The album's sales contributed to pushing Latin album sales in the United States above 90,000 units for the first time in a month, surpassing sales of Latin albums in the US during the same period in 1997. Anthology sold 3,500 more units than Ricky Martin's Vuelve, displacing it from the top position.[37]

The Mother's Day weekend holiday typically represents one of the highest-selling periods for Latin albums in the United States. However, Anthology sold 8,500 units, a 5% decrease from the previous tracking week. John Lannert of Billboard magazine expressed surprise that Anthology did not experience a sales increase that week. The album maintained its number one position on the Top Latin Albums and Regional Mexican Albums charts for the sixth consecutive week, while it slipped to number 151 on the Billboard 200 chart.[39] Anthology remained at the summit of the Regional Mexican Albums chart for 11 weeks, constituting the most weeks an album has held the number one position, and secured the third-most weeks atop the Top Latin Albums chart for the year.[40] Anthology's performance contributed to EMI Latin's ranking as the third-best-performing record imprint on Billboard's Latin music recap report, with the album placed at number nine in the Top Latin Albums recap report.[41] Anthology ended 1998 as the best-selling regional Mexican album in the United States, while it placed 12th on the Top Latin Albums year-end chart.[42] The set sold 116,000 units by December 1998, making it the best-selling album by EMI Latin for the year.[43] The album was certified diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), denoting 600,000 units consisting of sales and on-demand streaming.[44]

Track listing

Disc 01: Pop / English
No.TitleWriter(s)Remixed byLength
1."Always Mine" (previously on
Amame" (previously on Entre a Mi Mundo)
Selena, Astudillo 3:38
9."Missing My Baby" (previously on Entre a Mi Mundo)A. B. 3:51
10."Disco Medley: Last Dance/The Hustle/On the Radio (Club Remix)" (previously on "Disco Medley" single)Van McCoy, Giorgio Moroder, Donna SummerA. B., Fonseca6:10
Disc 02: Mariachi
No.TitleWriter(s)Arranged byLength
1."El Ramalazo" (previously on Muñequito de Trapo)Tomás Méndez"Red", Paz2:52
2."
Siempre Hace Frío" (previously on Siempre Selena)
Cuco SánchezJose Hernandez3:13
6."¿Qué Creías?" (previously on Entre a Mi Mundo)A. B., Astudillo"Red", Paz3:30
7."Quiero Estar Contigo" (previously on Preciosa)A. B., Jankarlos Nunez"Red", Paz2:28
8."Rama Caída" (previously on Muñequito de Trapo)Juan H. Barrón"Red", Paz4:26
9."Sabes" (previously on Preciosa)Vela"Red", Paz2:24
10."Tú, Solo Tú" (previously on Dreaming of You)Felipe Valdés LealHernandez3:12
Disc 03: Cumbia
No.TitleWriter(s)Arranged byLength
1."Yo Te Daré" (previously on And the Winner Is...)A. B."Red", Paz3:14
2."La Puerta Se Cerró" (previously on Dulce Amor)Copyright Control"Red", Paz3:49
3."Corazoncito" (previously on Alpha)A. B., Manny Guerra"Red", Paz2:48
4."Enamorada de Ti" (previously on Munequito de Trapo)Luisa Fatello, Teresa Presmanes"Red", Paz4:00
5."No Debes Jugar" (previously on Selena Live!)A. B., VelaLos Dinos2:51
6."Cariño Mio" (previously on Preciosa)Vela"Red", Paz3:35
7."Salta La Ranita" (previously on And the Winner Is...)Víctor H. Garza"Red", Paz3:12
8."Te Amo Solo a Ti" (previously on And the Winner Is...)E.J. Ledesma"Red", Paz3:33
9."La Llamada" (previously on Selena Live!)A. B., AstudilloLos Dinos3:09
10."Baila Esta Cumbia" (previously on Ven Conmigo)A. B., AstudilloLos Dinos2:54
Total length:1:50:01

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes.[45]

Charts

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for Anthology
Chart (1998) Peak
position
US Top Latin Albums (Billboard)[48] 12
US Regional Mexican Albums (Billboard)[49] 1

Certification

Certification for Anthology
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[44] Diamond (Latin) 600,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

See also

References

Citations

  1. ^ Verhovek 1995, p. 1.
  2. ^ Jasinski 2012.
  3. ^ Untiedt 2013, p. 127.
  4. ^ Schone 1995, p. 3.
  5. ^ Shaw 2005, p. 50.
  6. ^ Stavans & Augenbraum 2005, p. 5.
  7. ^ Arrarás 1997, p. 22.
  8. ^ Patoski 1996, p. 211.
  9. ^ Garcia & Gamboa 2022.
  10. ^ Paul 2022.
  11. ^ Mendoza 2022.
  12. ^ Smoothvega 2020.
  13. ^ Quintanilla 1997.
  14. ^ Falcon 2015.
  15. ^ a b c Quintanilla 1998, p. 5.
  16. ^ a b c Anon. 1998, p. 131.
  17. ^ a b c d e f Pignato & High 1998, p. 82.
  18. ^ a b c Quintanilla 1998, pp. 8–9.
  19. ^ a b c Ruiz 1998, p. 96.
  20. ^ a b c d Cabrera 1998, p. 66.
  21. ^ Perry 2017.
  22. ^ a b c d Quintanilla 1998, pp. 12–13.
  23. ^ Classic Series, Vol. I 2006.
  24. ^ a b Cole & Farley 1995, p. 2.
  25. ^ Salazar 1995, p. 27.
  26. ^ a b c Quintanilla 1998, pp. 16–17.
  27. ^ Patoski 1996, p. 113.
  28. ^ Ven Conmigo 1990.
  29. ^ a b Erlewine n.d.
  30. ^ Christensen, Cuellar & Tarradell 1998, p. 12C.
  31. ^ Guerra 1998, p. 6.
  32. ^ Katz 1998, pp. 148–149.
  33. ^ Torres 1999, p. 141.
  34. ^ Del Valle 1998, p. 1.
  35. ^ Ruiz 1998, p. 97.
  36. ^ Corpus 1998, p. 10.
  37. ^ a b c Lannert & Mayfield 1998, p. 46.
  38. ^ Lannert & Mayfield 1998, p. 92.
  39. ^ Lannert 1998d, p. 58.
  40. ^ Lannert 1998h, p. 58.
  41. ^ Lannert 1998i, p. 74.
  42. ^ Lannert 1998j, pp. 18–19.
  43. ^ Lannert 1998j, p. 52.
  44. ^ a b Anon. n.d.
  45. ^ Quintanilla 1998.
  46. ^ Lannert 1998a, p. 48.
  47. ^ Lannert 1998h, p. 54.
  48. ^ Lannert 1998j, p. 18.
  49. ^ Lannert 1998j, p. 19.

Websites

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