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Though Desi Arnaz earned enduring fame as Lucille Ball's television and real-life husband, he was already a star a full decade before
I Love Lucy hit the tube. Born in the roots-music mecca of Santiago de Cuba, Arnaz came to America early in life and apprenticed with
Xavier Cugat's orchestra before setting out on his own. He hit his peak in the post-World War II years. Between 1946 and 1949, Arnaz broadcast radio shows twice a week, starred in three films with his band, and recorded 43 sides for RCA Victor. All of the songs on this disc are from that fertile period. Every cut is loaded with personality, from his signature song "Cuban Pete," which paints him as an archetypal romantic rogue, to the Latin calypso "You Can in Yucatan." But Desi knew mere personality had its limits and that his voice, however appealing, was thin compared to the Cuban greats. Thus, he allowed his band ample opportunity to shine on showcase pieces like the quick-stepping "El Cumbanchero." His arrangements, though fun, mostly play it safe. Compare his pastoral version of "Peanut Vendor" to Pérez Prado's volcanic trumpet-breathing mambo or even his "Babalu" with Casino de la Playa's (both featured on the CD
Baile Tropical, also in BMG's
Cuban Originals series). Still, Desi's showmanship constantly shines through, and his huge success bringing Cuban sounds to the masses guarantees his place in pop music history.
--Bob Tarte.
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