Ángela Aguilar continues to face criticism from the Dúrcal family after her version of one of the diva’s hits. (Photo by Gladys Vega/Getty Images)
There are songs by musical personalities that are sacred and inviolable. They are valued as unique and exclusive treasures that carry an invisible label that prevents them from being reproduced by someone else’s voice. That another person dares to sing it is almost sacrilegious. But there are those who risk it, they try. This is the case of Ángela Aguilar with one of Rocío Dúrcal’s greatest hits.
The voice of the diva of divas and her interpretations continue to irritate the skin of those who hold on to the belief in love or resign themselves to heartbreak. To talk about Dúrcal and the lyrics that she made an essential repertoire for the soul is to talk about an artist who transcended after her death in 2006. The application of the cliché that she is still alive through music suits her perfectly. It is difficult, not impossible, for his hits to resonate with other voices. And here the youngest of the Aguilar dynasty brings up the topic.
Ángela was given license to leave the Mexican region to pursue electronic music in collaboration with DJ Steve Aoki. He did it with an adaptation of Cat in the Rain. However, beyond musically modifying the original arrangements, he changed the name to Invítame a un café. The transformation of Rocío Dúrcal’s classic made the family of The Bride of Youth uncomfortable.
While the versions by Natalia Jiménez and Mon Laferte received approval for sticking to the sonic touch of native music, Sheila Dúrcal and Arturo de Heras disapproved of what Ángela Aguilar and Steve Aoki did, especially because of the name change. “It would have been better if I had,” said the diva’s daughter a few months ago after the release of the single.
Two months later, the late Spanish interpreter’s brother also expressed his disagreement with Aguilar’s version. “The truth is that it is better not to express an opinion. “I don’t think I should have given him any other title.” He told the press that he had asked him about it. He even pointed out that Angela herself probably didn’t like the song.
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Would the reactions have been the same with a lesser-known letter or one not so strongly identified with Rocío Dúrcal? The truth is that “The Cat in the Rain” is an anthem that will be treated as a legacy of the highest value. Anyone who has the courage to bring it into the present to sing it will be scrutinized and will have to accept criticism or applause. In this case, based on the reactions of the Dúrcal family, Ángela Aguilar has to endure disapproval for altering a hit song from “The Most Mexican Spanish.” Of course, Steve Aoki also bears some of the responsibility.