Recommended reading of the history of bachata
I don't think this thread should go in the direction of a debate comparing bachata artists especially since the original question by the OP was:
After 11 trips to the DR being surrounded by the background sounds of Bacchata and Merengue music played everywhere I was curious about what particular individual songs would be considered "standards". The ones everyone knows by heart. Anyone care to list ten or so songs and the artists that sing them.
This means posters will post what are their bests or favourites (songs or artists). As a result the selections will very especially those who have been listening to bachata way beyond this decade and especially beyond the so-called 'golden age' mentioned in post #22. In fact, that period is not the golden age of bachata if there even is one as it has yet to be categorized or defined.
The local (in country surge) in bachata popularity in the mid 90's was a precursor to what bachata has enjoyed today which is an unexpected and unprecedented surge internationally and even more acceptance in the Dominican Republic. To overlook this fact shows one's lack of knowledge or expertise of the history of the genre.
Bachata was and still is popular among many Dominicans for decades. Luis Segura who still produces albums today his latest two in 2008 is a key artist who really opened the doors to acceptability and popularized 'his' style of the genre thus paving the way for all artists to take stage and build a solid career not Juan Luis Guerra. JLG, IMO, is a good tropical artist but not a bachata artist.To downplay any bachatero before this decade in a genre which experienced and still does much social scrutiny is just ridiculous.
I agree that this decade has been key for bachata but it's what we (connoisseurs of the genre) call
'el auge de la bachata' or
'la bachata est? en su mejor momento'. That's the correct way to describe bachata today and all the fine artists who have displayed their talent in so many albums. It's even more impressive the ones who are original and don't solely thrive off vallenato or ballad remakes which many do. Unfortunately, if you are a true connoisseur of Latin rhythms, over 50% of bachatas are not originals. The acoustics, instrumentation, rhythms yes are absolutely creative but the songs are not. They are another artist's work or from another genre originally.
Anyway I did not list my ten or so songs as requested by the OP because at the first mention of Luis Segura, one of my heroes by another poster in post # 5, I focused on him. Now if I had to pick 10 songs that would be hard but I would rather list ten artists that one may want to focus on to get a good feel for the genre:
1/
Luis Segura- genre of bachata= bolero antillano
2/
Antony Santos- genre of bachata= bachata del pueblo
3/
Raul?n Rodr?guez- 'amargue'
4/
Joe Veras- one of a kind, his last four albums have been gems-
Carta de verano, Tonto coraz?n, La traves?a (highly recommended),
Vida- his latest production is also highly recommended.
5/
Luis Vargas- probably one the best guitarist of the genre. IMO, his latest bachatas have been superb, very creative, acoustically original-
Inolvidable is a must have album.
6/ El Chaval
7/
Kiko Rodr?guez
8/
Frank Reyes- he's a perfect example of one of the bachata artists who surged in this decade- 'el auge' but he has been quiet of late.
9/
Alex Bueno- probably one of the most versatile Dominican artists- merengue and bachata. Hopefully, he can recover and get his career back on track.
10/
H?ctor Acosta- no need to expand on this man's talent. Just play any album of his either as a solo artist or with Los Toros Band.
Suggested reading:
Deborah Pacini Hern?ndez book:
Bachata A Social History of a Dominican Popular Music
Suggested compilation cd that provides a talented mix of modern day bachata. This compilation is one of the best I have seen on the market.
-Marianopolita