Buena Vista Social Club

The two CDs recently purchased featuring the Buena Vista Social Club of Cuba are among my favourites. The opening number, Chan Chan, has a hypnotic rhythm which makes me want to play it over and over. The musicians who feature on this CD are outstanding. Ibrahim Ferrer (now deceased) had a voice like dripping honey.

It was just greatly fortuitous that Ry Cooder managed to track these people down in Cuba and record a number of CDs with them before several passed away.

Listen to the sample tracks and decide for yourselves!

if you have ever wondered what it was like to wander the streets of old Havana at dusk, this is the cd for you. Old world charm, bittersweet songs of sadness, romantic love stories and upbeat melancholy musings turn every day into a sunny day. Grab a mojito and enjoy!

Despite listening to this album perhaps a million times, it never fails to put a tear in my eye while making me feel immensely happy at the same time. Heck, it sounds better with every listen. What else can you ask for in a record?

In the liner notes, Ry Cooder writes that listening to music should be approached like taking part in a treasure hunt. This record is a gold mine.

this cd is amazing and would have been a shame if it was never put on a cd. Even if you don't know spanish, pick this cd up because it has an upbeat vibe to it. It's something that you can just put on the stereo and clean the house to, or listen on a road trip. Inside the cd you get a nice little booklet with info about the songs, artist, and the english translations to the songs along with pictures of the band. I highly suggest this cd to any music fan.

This critically acclaimed album is a favorite for many reasons. The Buena Vista Social Club was a popular club in Havana that held dances during the 1940s and 50s. This 14-song album not only features many of the veteran musicians who performed at that club during the height of its popularity, but also includes Cuban musician Juan de Marcos González and American guitarist Ry Cooder (who produced the sessions). The album was recorded in six days, and resulted in a fascinating documentary of the same name by Wim Wenders (best known for one of my favorite films, Wings of Desire)). Musicians include Luis Barzaga on backing vocals, Orlando "Cachaito" López on double bass, Joachim Cooder on drums, Ry Cooder on guitar, Juan de Marcos González on guitar, vocals, and percussion, Manuel Galbán on guitar, Carlos González on bongos, Manuel "Guajiro" Mirabal on trumpet, Eliades Ochoa on vocals and guitar, Julienne Oviedo Sanchez on timbales, Omara Portuondo on vocals, Barbarito Torres on laoud, and Amadito Valdés on percussion. Not surprisingly, this album sparked an international craze for Latino music, and for Cuban music in particular. Complete album tracks include:

1. Chan Chan 4:16
2. De Camino a La Vereda 5:03
3. El Cuarto de Tula 7:24
4. Pueblo Nuevo 6:05
5. Dos Gardenias 3:03
6. Y Tu Que Has Hecho? 3:13
7. Veinte Anos 3:30
8. El Carretero 3:28
9. Candela 5:27
10. Amor de Loca Juventud 3:21
11. Orgullecida 3:18
12. Murmullo 3:50
13. Buena Vista Social Club 4:50
14. La Bayamesa 2:54

G. Merritt