Buena Vista Social Club Presents: Manuel Guajiro Mirabal

Manuel "El Guajiro" Mirabal

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 4, 2005)
• Original Release Date: January 4, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Nonesuch
• ASIN: B0006SSNCI
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #23,139 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #15 in

  Music > World Music > Caribbean & Cuba > Cuba > Salsa

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
For his first solo album, 71-year-old trumpeter Mirabal has created a tribute to the seminal bandleader Arsenio Rodriguez. The latter was a tres-wielding maverick who reveled in Cuba's African heritage and gave new opportunities to the piano and brass. With three trumpeters on board, it is not surprising that the tracks often explode into blaring, festive, sloppy--precise fanfares, but Papi Oviedo on tres and pianist Roberto Fonseca more than hold their own. The singers also get a workout, notably on Me Bote De Guano, with its humming opening chorus and robust tenor lead vocal. The late Rubén González, who was Rodriguez's original keyboard man, is heard on Dombe Dombe, a tune he suggested for the set list. The sessions were recorded in Havana at legendary Egrem Studios with a minimum of technical bells-and-whistles and if the sonic texture is somewhat rough and remote, it only adds to the studio-live atmosphere. --Christina Roden

Recommended Similar Titles

Buena Vista Social Club	BVSC Presents Omara Portuondo	BVSC Presents Ibrahim Ferrer
Introducing Ruben Gonzalez	Mambo Sinuendo	Cachaito

Product Description
Cuban trumpeter Manuel "Guajiro" Mirabel was among the first musicians recruited by British producer Nick Gold for the now legendary sessions at Havana's Egrem Studio that yielded the multi-platinum Buena Vista Social Club album and Wim Wenders' groundbreaking concert documentary. But the veteran player already had enjoyed a rich musical history, having performed for more than 40 years in some of the most celebrated Cuban nightclub orchestras. With this lively set of '40s-era conjunto classics, he pays tribute to pioneering Cuban composer-bandleader Arsenio Rodriguez, whose trumpet arrangements inspired Mirabel as a boy.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hot Latin Big Band, February 25, 2005

By	Books & Music (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This album burns from start to finish. It is a straight up party album--- if you're looking for romantic make-out music, try another Buena Vista member. This record is loud and hot and made for dancing. Imagine a sweaty ballroom in a Havana casino in the 40's and this is the band that would be playing there. All of the musicians are excellent. The band has the traditional three trumpet, dual percussion, tres, bass and sonero line-up and there is not a weak member of the group. The vocalists are uniformly outstanding. Most of the album was recorded live in one take, and it definitely has the spontaneous, joyous feel of a live recording. Highly recommended.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Gem From A Buena Vista Social Club Veteran, January 21, 2005

By	RCabanza (Los Angeles, California) - See all my reviews

I owned all the albums of Buena Vista Social Club veterans and this one I waited with great anticipation. And I'm proud to say that I am not disappointed. All the selections in this album are superb and Guajiro Mirabal's playing of the trumpet is simply superb, most specially, if you are aware that he is more than 70 years old. Trumpet sound can be very annoying because of its inherent loudness but in the hands(or mouth) of Guajiro Mirabal, it is simply intoxicating. I played the album any time of the day and it never failed to amaze me. You can listen to it in any kind of mood you are. Morning. Late afternoon. Late night.

I highly recommend this album, along with all the albums of Buena Vista Social club members. Let's enjoy this music. This is the kind of music that you will not get tired listening at. Why? Because they are made by real musicians. All the sounds you hear are coming from real instruments all recorded live in the studio. If you are tired of listening to "manufactured" music, this kind of music will surely give you an entirely different experience.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "debut solo for Manuel Guajiro Mirabal", February 2, 2005

By	J. Lovins "Mr. Jim" (Missouri-USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Nonesuch Records and Warner Music present "Buena Vista Social Club Presents - Manuel Guaijro Mirabal", in his solo debut album featuring the music of Arsenia Rodgriguez performed by Manuel "Guaijro" Mirabal and a very selective group of Buena Vista Social Club musicians...recorded at Havana's Egrem Studios with that electricity of "Live Performances"...this is an album you would stay up late at night for, sipping a glass or two of your favorite...entire album is performed in a playful setting.

Composer Rodgriguez sends our way "CANTA MONTERO", "EL RELOJ DE PASTORA", "EL RINCON CALIENTE", "ME BOTE DE GUANO", "MI CORAZON NO TIENE QUIEN LO LLORE", "PARA BAILAR EL MONTUNO", "TENGO QUE OLVIDARTE", creativity and innovation sends a modern salsa conjunto that will keep your head spinning...craving more of the same much like "Mambo Kings"..."DEUDA", composed by Luis Marquetti in 1945..."CHICHARRONERO", composer Louis "Lili" Martinez Grinan blends piano solo and brass to this rhythmic tune..."NO VUELVO A MORON LAS TRES MARIAS APJURRUNENME MUJERE MEDLEY", composers Otilio Del Portal and Arsenia Rodriguez favor us with a 5 minute medley of Cuba's finest offerings..."DOMBE DOMBE", beautiful opening trumpet solo, with haunting counter-melodies arranged and performed by Ruben Gonzalez, just the way it was back in the '40s...gotta love it!

Total Time: 46:36 on 11 Tracks ~ Nonesuch Records 79810 ~ (1/04/2005)