Isabel Pantoja

In Spain, singer Isabel Pantoja is considered one of the greatest vocal practitioners of the traditional copla in history. Though her Andalusian take on the folk style is highly orchestrated, her detailed attention to narrative, melody, drama, and rhythm, are singular. Since the mid-'80s, she has expanded her repertoire to include romantic pop ballads with no damage done to her stature. Pantoja's beloved musical reputation has been buoyed by a storied life filled with awards -- more than 40 platinum-certified records -- tragedy, and misadventure (including a two-year prison st...