Customer Reviews

Esto Fue Que Trajo El Barco

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

 

 

This is it. This is the real deal as far as pure, unadulterated 1970s Salsa is concerned. This 1972 release was one of Ismael Rivera's greatest albums and it sounds just as great today (nearly 40 years after its original release) as it did back in 1972. "La Vaca Lechera", "La Mania De Tu Mujer", "Incomprendido", "San Miguel Arcangel" and the ageless "Traigo Salsa" easily make this CD an absolute classic but this is (in all honesty) one of those albums with NO filler material whatsoever. If you want to know why Ismael Rivera is universally revered as Puerto Rico's all-time greatest and most influential Salsa singer just ge this CD and enjoy it. A 5-star album in every way!

This is it. This is the greatest sonero in world history. Ismael Rivera, El Sonero Mayor. There are many pretty boys today pretending sing salsa; but is not about have an educated voice when it comes to salsa. Is about having the ability to improvise and play with the music knowing where to put the words. With todays technology some can made it in the studio. But live is a different story.

Other thing: this is an original album, not a compilation of "hits". This is important because there is no way you can put all his best songs in a CD. And all those hits compilations always repeat the same songs. If you like his music you have to buy the original records, because almost everything he sang is good.

"Esto Fue Lo Que Trajo El Barco" literally means: "this is what the boat brought". In Puerto Rico we use this phrase when we have something that is not so good, but is the only thing we have. But believe me, this production is not a so so stuff. This is one of the best production Ismael Rivera made as a soloist.


¡YUMBO AGUA TANA OH! (African words) I love this song. This is a five stars song.
DIME POR QUE (Tell me why) is a song about a love that end. This is a five stars song.
LA VACA LECHERA (The milk cow) is pretty funny. Is actually a kids song. Only Ismael Rivera could transform that song into a guaguancó.
MAÑA MAÑA (Wise Wise) this is another funny song. If you growth up with Sesame Street, you will recognize the melody. The song is about those young girls that think they know about love business and end being some old fox victims.
LA MANIA DE TU MUJER (Your wife habit) is about a guy whose wife is looking for and adventure. This song is not that good.
SAN MIGUEL ARCANGEL (Archangel Michael) is about Santeria. This is a five stars song
INCOMPRENDIDO (Misunderstood) this is one of Ismael Rivera greatest hits. An anthem for all of us that haven't found true love. This is a five stars hit.
LA GATA MONTESA (Mount Cat) is about a woman that return a little late to the love she once abandon. This is a five stars hit.
HASTA MAÑANA (Until tomorrow) is a bolero. This is a five stars song.
TRAIGO SALSA (I brought the salsa) This song is pretty good, but not that good.

After going on his own, this was one of his first recordings. It was for the TICO label, one of the salsa labels in New York at the time, released in 1972.

Allow me an aside about one of the sidemen in this recording;

Manolin Gonzalez, the alto player in the session, was a personal friend and business associate. Born in the Dominican Republic, Manolin spent some time in Chicago, where we met, shortly after the record came out. He had put a band together in Chicago and they used to rehearse in my apartment. It ruined my relationship with the neighbor across the hall.

This album and the other TICO Ismael Rivera records are among his best.

Enjoy...

This record is Ismael Rivera at his best. In the first track he comes out and obliterates any competition he might possibly have "soneando". This track is an example of rhythmitic genius. He gets the beat and the play with it like a toy. He shows us he can and will do whatever he wnats with the beat. A joy to hear. Dime Porque follows and the hits never stop. Incomprendido is an amazing cry from his inner soul. And to finish out Traigo la Salsa. This man is the greatest salsa singer ever and this CD is when he was on top of his game. A great buy at any price.

Men, this entire album is full of goodies. But the track that i like is "Traigo Salsa". men, Maelo couldn't do anything wrong on this one. "Incomprendido" is a tale of being misunderstood. Ismael los panameños MISS YOU MUCH, ESPECIALLY ME