Personnel includes: Shakira (vocals, harmonica); Dan Warner, A.J. Niilo, Marcelo Acevedo, Claudio Spiewak (acoustic guitar); Adam Zimmon (electric guitar); Luis Fernando Ochoa (guitar, tambourine); Claudio Spiewak (guitar); Alan Kendal (pedal steel); Jack Stamates (violin); Chris Glansdorp (cello); Joe Zaytoonian, Michelle Massad (oud); Fadi Hardan (accordion, background vocals); Randy Barlow (accordion); Teddy Mulet (trumpet); Lester Mendez (piano, keyboards, programming); Ron Taylor (Hammond B-3 organ); Brendan Buckley (bass, drums, percussion); John Falcone, Julio Hernandez (bass); Lee Levin (drums); Miriam Elli, Edwin Bonilla (percussion); Javier Garza, Pablo Florez (programming); Tommy Anthony, Nicolas Tovar (background vocals).
Recorded at Crescent Moon Studios and Criteria Recording Studios, Miami, Florida.
DONDE ESTAN LOS LADRONES was nominated for a 1999 Grammy for Best Latin/Rock Alternative Performance.
Latin pop innovator Shakira represents the kind of eventuality for which Alanis Morissette, Bob Dylan and Beck are all precedents. Eventually, all parallel lines intersect, or so that particular mathematical theory suggests, and so it is with separate but co-existing styles. In the world of contemporary music, fusion is an inevitability. Thus, DONDE ESTAN LOS LADRONES. This album finds the charismatic songstress combining traditional Latin roots (represented by the occasional acoustic touches) with post-Alanis angry-young-woman sensibilities, Sheryl Crow-esque pop eclecticism and an electrifying rock & roll rhythm. Those expecting polite recreations of Latin styles past will be sorely disappointed, but listeners for whom crossover is the norm will find a wealth of satisfaction in DONDE ESTAN LOS LADRONES, whether or not they understand the words.