"CELIA CRUZ THE ABSOLUTE COLLECTION" is a tour, showcase and inside view of the personal, professional and artistic life of the legendary and forever influential musical icon CELIA CRUZ.
Designed for the fan, music collector or simply for those who want to add another keepsake piece to their collection, "THE ABSOLUTE COLLECTION" is a treasure chest filled with great stories, memories and music, while at the same time serving as a most deserving tribute on the 10th anniversary of her passing.
Carefully designed, "THE ABSOLUTE COLLECTION" contains 60 pages and features over 70 unpublished and never-before-seen photographs and memorabilia; all presented with the complete consent and cooperation of her estate. The "Deluxe Book Version" contains 2 CD's with a total of 30 tracks (15 tracks on each CD).
The tracks have been thoughtfully chosen to flow with her career path and evolution of sound, style and influence while accompanied with the visuals of the photos and memorabilia. The audio has been meticulously re-mastered for the optimum audio experience. The majority of the tracks are from the great and vast catalog of the legendary Fania ® Record label where Celia recorded the majority of her great music.
The "Deluxe-Book Version" also features extensive liner notes written by Tom Schnabel of KCRW in Santa Monica, California (Tom is an educator and writer who does radio programs for KCRW as well as national stories for Public Radio International and NPR. He is the author of numerous articles about music and two books, Stolen Moments: Conversations with Contemporary Musicians, and Rhythm Planet: The Great World Music Makers).
Featured throughout the book and among the many great photos and images are quotes from a long list of artists, actors, painters, writers and simply people who loved Celia.
"On stage, Celia was ageless, in life, her good energy and generosity were boundless, her music is and will remain timeless. . . ." Gloria Estefan
"Like Ella and Lady Day, Celia was an original"...Quincy Jones
"Growing up in NYC Celia Cruz was the heartbeat of Latin Music and we will never see another like her so everybody sing - Azucaaaa!!!!!" ...Whoopi Goldberg
"Celia Cruz was a major influence in my life, not only as an artist but also as a person. Being able to know her, and to count on her support for my career, have been among the greatest blessings of my life." ...Marc Anthony
"Legendary music transcends language, race, and time. Celia Cruz is the true embodiment of a legend"...Beyonce