Customer Reviews

Havana Cafe

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Havana Cafe by Barbarito Torres is one of my top 5 favorite Cuban Cd's. (Beny Moré's Romantico and Mata Siguaraya, Barbarito Diez's Así Bailaba Cuba double set, and the Orchestra Aragon with Antonio Maria Romeu are the others). While it sounds modern with the laud and wonderful harmonies, it retains the authentic Cuban passion and zest for life that make Cuban music so appealing and danceable. The ability to make a song out of virtually nothing such as Corazon de Chivo is truly amazing. For anyone who is curious about Cuban Music, this is the best taste of it you will get. Bravo Barbarito!

If you're reading this you probably are already familiar with Barbarito and his work with the "BVSC". Here he is the frontman and this CD features him playing the Laud like no other. One of the strenghts of this CD is his exceptional playing of the Laud and acoustic guitar. He is joined by family members which gives this CD a cohesive familial feel. The intimacy of the recording is evident throughout. I just love how these guys can sing about crab or squash and it sounds so lyrical, so tasty. The styles explored here are son montuno, bolero-son, danzon-cha and guaracha-guaganco. If you're not familiar with the various styles of Cuban music this is an excellent piece of music to help you differeniate as the booklet has bi-lingual lyrics and the styles played. "Lagrimas Negras" features a guest appearance by Omara Portuondo who has a soulful voice full of emotion, an added treat to a fine CD. Either his wife or sister contribute vocals to several of the songs. Other guests include"BVSC" crooner Ibrahim Ferrer who chimes in with a nice romantic song entitled "Pensando en Ti". There is a good version of "Sublime Illusion" and it sounds different from the superior recording by Eliades Ochoa. If you like"BVSC" you will love this family affair recorded in Havana, Cuba for Spanish and non-Spanish audiences worldwide to enjoy.

Of the four titles that I purchased after seeing the Buena Vista Social Club - that album, Afro Cuban All Stars and a piano, no singing CD - this one is by far the best - it just keeps coming with fun music (eating a goat's heart gives me indigestion?)with a great beat. It was this CD that I was hoping for when I purchased the others, all great, but this one excells. I am looking for the CD that will equal it.

Like many, the popularity of the Buena Vista Social Club led me to explore more of the fantastic music of Cuba, and Barbarito Torres' "Havana Cafe" is an absolute requirement for the library of any fan of the BVSC or other Cuban music.

DO NOT MISS the secret track after number 14 (which is actually "Alla Voy," rather than "El Tren" as the back of the CD notes). The track is titled "Que Viva Chango," and you have to wait a minute or two after the end of "Alloy Voy" to hear it. It's one of the two or three best cuts on the album. Enjoy!

I've listened to this CD over and over in the last few months, and I never tire of it. The musicianship is extraordinary, the rhythms supple and seductive. If you don't find yourself desperately wanting Latin dance lessons--or at least dancing around the house to this CD, you're probably dead.

I love this CD! Having just returned from a trip to Havana, I was missing those local sounds badly, even though I had BVSC and Ibrahim's CDs. After searching the reviews of Cuban music, I decided to try Havana Club -- I'm thrilled! This is the wonderful music we heard in the bars of Habana Vieja, and it takes me right back!

what a wonderful production, truly universal. Since Cy Cooder gave us Buena Vista Social Club and then Ibrahim Ferrer and Ruben Gonzalez everybody should know now how rich and diverse this music is, and the players certainly the best in the world.

Previous reviewers have very accurately portrayed the qualities of this CD in detail, and there is nothing I can (or need to) add to their enthusiastic accolades. Still, I feel a need to stick in my own two cents' worth.

I, too, came to know of Barbarito Torres via the original Buena Vista Social Club CD and DVD (both of which I HIGHLY recommend).

I should mention that Ibrahim Ferrer, my particular favorite among the BVSC crowd, also makes a guest appearance on this album. There is an emotional force behind his gentle voice that is difficult to define or describe, and that lends a very MOVING quality to his vocal interpretations.

This CD is enormously enjoyable listening, and one of my favorites among the 20 or so CD's that I now have by artists connected with the phenomenon known as Buena Vista Social Club.

If you are unfamiliar with this music, do yourself a favor and BECOME familiar with it. If you love powerful music, then you, too, will be hooked. And you will comprehend the enormous pride that Cubans have in their unique musical heritage. It IS unique, and enjoyable beyond mere verbal description.

I loved the opening tract of this CD; if you are dead it will jump start you live again! Barbarito plays the laud a particuarly cuban instrument which was featured in the movie Buena Vista Social Club. He is an artist extraordinaire and his guitar sings wit happiness. I loved every song on this CD.

This is definately one of the best albums of 1999. Everybody who enjoyed "Buena Vista Social Club" will be pleased by this album,which is as good as that.Former "Club" members guest on "Havana Cafe",like Ibrahim Ferrer,Omara Portuondo or Pio Leyva who perform in top form. On this album you find cool sons,slow boleros and beautiful guajiras. Best tracks: Corazon de chivo and Sarandonga. The master Barbarito Torres plays his laoud like before: FANTASTIC