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“It was never going to happen. Except that it did.”
Now this is what I call a brilliant, brilliant, brilliant album – THE best of
2008.
It’s the sound of old-timers having a final fling with fame, which they never
had in their early years.
Rediscovered (by default) by Ry Cooder for The Buena Vista Social Club (a members-only club)
project back in 1996, with a Grammy in 1997, the old boys who were long
forgotten from the Havana music scene in the 1950s, reunited for one of the
most fascinating albums and accompanying DVD ever.
Cooder was supposed to record an album with two African musicians and local
Havana musicians, but the Africans failed to get their visas, so Cooder and
Nick Gold of World Circuit Records decided to record an album of Cuban son music
instead. It would eventually make Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums Of All
Time list (2003) at number 260.
Their first and only intended gig was at Carré Theatre in Amsterdam Holland.
Things were about to change though, for ever. Back stage after the show, David
Bither of Nonesuch Records suggested to Cooder that it should also happen in
America. He agreed, and that it should take place at Carnegie Hall.
Captured on July 1 1998, they reintroduced to the world the golden age of
Cuban music between the 1930s and 1950s before principal members Compay Segundo,
Ruben Gonzalez, Ibrahim Ferrer died in the 2000s. Thank goodness it was recorded,
an it‘s baffling its taken a decade to surface. Nevertheless, what you hear is
a group of maestros on top of their game, loving every minute, and a highly
appreciative crowd. It wasn’t all plain sailing during rehearsals according to
the CD liner notes, but it all came together on the night.
There are many wonderful quotes in the notes, but my favourite is by Cooder himself:
"It was like all the genies were out of the bottle."
From the original album there are 10 tracks and 6 non-album classics, all of which
seamlessly melt into each other. Choosing a favourite is literally impossible,
and there’s little point in rambling on about the songs (sung entirely in
Spanish) and translations, so just go and get it, and you’ll know exactly what
I’m talking about!
1. Chan Chan
2. De Camino A La Vereda
3. El Cuarto De Tula
4. La Enganadora
5. Buena Vista Social Club
6. Dos Gardenias
7. Quizas, Quizas
8. Veinte Anos
9. Orgullecida
10. Y Tu Que Has Hecho?
11. Siboney
12. Mandinga
13. Almendra
14. El Carretero
15. Candela
16. Silencio
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Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.