Buena Vista Social Club
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Free Music Notes for Buena Vista Social Club
Free Music Review: A Cuban Masterpiece
Hit: 5 Stars
I have no words to describe how brilliant this recording is. Buena Vista Social Club bring alive the music that has sustained Cuba as far back as the 1920s. Listening to the likes of Ibrahim Ferrer, Ruben Gonzalez, Eliades Ochoa, Compay Segundo and Omara Portuondo paint a picture of a vibrant and soulful Cuba from the not too distant past. Needless to say, all musicians on this album have such incredible talent, that it is difficult to believe that we've missed out on such a musical extravagance for over 50 years. I have not come across a singer that can deliver such heartfelt passion in their music like Ibrahim Ferrer (83) and Compay Segundo (93), but the person that moved me the most on this recording was the 77 year old pianist Ruben Gonzalez. You just have to listen to PUEBLO NUEVO and MURMULLO to realise this man's incredible talent. It is hard to believe that Ruben virtually had given up playing due to arthritis in his hands, and that he has no piano at home. It is amazing to think that none of the musicians received recognition at the height of their careers, and seeing their current living conditions is a humbling experience. Nonetheless, I am happy that they achieved fame at last. All songs on this album are masterpieces. This recording is worth ten times its price, and it is one of my most treasured CDs in my music collection. It is a nostalgic, yet brilliant piece of Cuba.
Free Music Review: Full Of Life And Energy.
Hit: 5 Stars
"Buena Vista Social Club" is a collection of music done with true feeling, talent and spirit. Great music never gets too old and here is evidence the great music from Cuba is still vibrant today as it was 40 years ago. The film based on the group had a special message about how age doesn't matter in the area of the great artists. One of the musicians here is in his 90s and look at how alive and energetic and moving this music is! The vocals, the music, the lyrics are all rich and full of style. These are real musicians playing real music. Like Santana's "Supernatural," "Buena Vista Social Club" is more of an experience than just good music. Songs like "Chan Chan" are really deep and move you in a nice way, others like "Candela" just excite you with the energy and fun feeling of it all. I'm grateful to Ry Cooder for bringing back these incredible musicians who play some of the best Cuban music ever. The only reason other arists like Celia Cruz don't mention them that often is because they still live in their homeland, Cuba. But they deserve praise and more. Recently we remembered Tito Puente who was a great musician and recently passed away, but we should also appreciate those who really brought Latin music to life, the ones who really play it with spirit and feeling. "Buena Vista Social Club" is no less than a masterpiece.Free Music Review: Simply...amazing
Hit: 5 Stars
During a trip to Paris a few years ago, my aunt (knowing I had an affinity for Latin Jazz) took me to see a movie. I was so perturbed all the way to the cinema, dreading the idea of spending an afternoon in a movie theater while being in arguably the most beautiful and culturally splendid cities in the entire world. Two hours later my life had changed. I had discovered something that has since become so integrated into my personal defintions of "music," "passion," and "life" that I still wonder how I could have once lived without knowing this music. That movie was "The Buena Vista Social Club."The music is the quintessence of "breathtaking." The story-telling poetry and conflagrant rhythms will hold your attention from the opening strums of "Chan Chan" all the way through the fading seconds of "La Bayamesa." I could not possibly recommend any other album more highly than this one. If you are a music lover in the purest sense, you have to own this CD. I also highly suggest renting/buying the documentary to fully appreciate the stories behind the performers and songs. Their personalities alone will endear you to some of the most talented and passionate yet almost tragically forgotten artists ever.
The Buena Vista Social Club literally changed my life...and I have my stubborn old aunt to thank for it.
Free Music Review: I'll give him a lift to the bank for another like this!
Hit: 5 Stars
The previous (very cynical) reviewer may have a point about this remarkable cd. Sure, from a purist's point of view, no doubt there are other recordings that are more authentic, and probably as exciting as this, but to get stuck on such narrow and meaningless definitions of what makes a record great and to dismiss the role of some of the musicians (Ry cooder and his son), regardless of the value of their contributions, is to completely miss the pure magic of this recording. What we all look for in music is something that cannot be described or categorized or judged. You just know it and feel it when you find it. This album has all that and much much more. It is a statement about the neglect of Cuban culture; it is a judgement on the damage of politics on peoples lives; it is an unadulterated celebration of music-making from whatever culture, and from whatever source. It represients the joy of singing, of playing the piano, drums, guitar, of dancing. I have many many old blues records, jazz albums, punk, whatever, who cares, yet to me this album stands up there as one of the great spontaneous "music" albums of all time. Don't let all that politicking, those pathetic judgements about "working for the man," and who's really making all the money blah, blah blah, blah, stop you from buying it. It's great, you'll love for the rest of your life.
Free Music Review: Without a doubt....one of the best things I have ever heard.
Hit: 5 Stars
First of all I want to address some people....I really don't appreciate how some people who don't favor this album, have to go and mock the country in which this music came from....It is rude and childish. Nobody ever said that this album was hard-core salsa, so certain people should really keep their mouths shut and stop giving the public false information. Those people know who they are. This is the original Cuban son music which was around WAY before the salsa or mambo of today. Played by some of Cuba's most gifted and talented artists who have been forgotten for so many years.The music in this album is suttle, but at the same time firey and full of ritmo y pasión. If you really want something to relax to....this is what you need. I recommend this album to EVERYONE!!!! Even if you don't speak Spanish, or have never listened to Latin music before....I'm sure you will love this. It is a masterpiece. Got to love the "fuego" in "El Cuarto de Tula"
Members of the Buena Vista Social Club....
Ibrahím Ferrer, Omara Portuondo, Eliades Ochoa, Rubén González, Orlando López "Cachaíto", Compay Segundo, Manuel Vazquez, Pío Leya, Manuel Licea, Barabito Torres, Juan De Marcos, Amarito Valdés.