Customer Reviews

Don Azpiazu & His Havana Casino Orchestra

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Delightfully corny Cuban music from the early thirties... Azpiazu's "El Manisero" ("The Peanut Vendor") was a colossal hit in 1931, and one of the earliest breakthroughs for Cuban music abroad. These songs were recorded in New York at the height of the Russ Columbo-and-Glen Gray-dominated crooner era, and bear all the goofy, loveably rinkydink musical hallmarks of the time (as well as a healthy dose of authentic Cuban rhythm). "El Manisero" features vocals by the muy fabuloso Antonio Machin, although other tracks on this CD have North Americanos who charmingly denude the music of its original bounce. Don't get me wrong: I *love* corny old music and this collection is well worth searching out.

A marvelous collection of 78's by Don Azpiazu & his Orchestra, compiled sensitively in France in 1991, which will appeal not only to lovers of Latin-American music.
It contains 2 versions of Don's greatest 'hit' from the early 1930's, "El Manisero" or the Peanut Vendor.
The famous studio version which became such a hit in the USA and the world, and a rarity recording from a film soundtrack.
The sound quality is remarkable for the age of the music.
Recommended listening : it will have you dancing around the room !

Don Azpiazu led an exellent Cuban dance orchestra in the 1930's, and was largely responisble for influencing many other later afro-cuban jazz orchestras. Azpiazu's orchestra is tight, and peppy. They really sound great on "Peanut Vendor" and a song that sounds very similar to "When Youba plays the Rumba on the tuba". The vocals are great, the band plays exellent Cuban dance music . For those who want some pre Tito Puente Cuban orchestra music, this is what Cuban music sounded like before Puente, Machito, and thw whole Mambo, Salsa, afro Cuban jazz movement occured. This band is important historicly, even if there are not jazz solos, the music should interest those fans of 30's big bands, and swing. This is great stuff, and there are some rumba rhythms and some spicy exotic dance songs. Great 1930's Cuban American orchestra.