Customer Reviews

Heroes

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Recorded 20 years ago, this is a collection of the best Cuban musicians of the time. The tunes are descargas (jams) all done in one take, just as they happened. The energy is wonderful. Also, if you look at the photograph that is on the front cover of the CD jacket, you'll see a 20-years-younger Ruben Gonzales laughing uproariously with a few of the other players and wearing bell-bottoms. He's on piano on the CD and sounds great, more fiery than on Buena Vista Social Club. This is a terrific CD. It simply blew me away.

All of the sudden, with so many Cuban music CDs, it's hard to know what to buy. So I asked my percussionist friend Andy (hi Andy!) who specializes in afro-cuban drumming, and is highly critical of all the hype surrounding BVSC (as much as I enjoy them). He was prompt in telling me of this old five-disc LP collection that he has, and if it's the same thing, don't walk, run, click like a madman, and get'em!

If you like authenticity, spontaneity, and Cuban music, this is the best buy you can hope for until they release more of the old timers. Cuban music was at an all-time high in the 50s and 60s, and most of the artists on these two cds were performing in the best two or three groups of that era. Even though this recording came in late 1979, and was (incredibly) performed in a week, its improvisations are just mind-boggling. You will be witnessing witchcraft artistry at an incredible level.

And the recording quality is absolutely not a reason to shy away from this purchase. Although from 1979, in Habana, with limited equipment, you could fear a bit; in fact, it turns out warm, full of life, and perhaps better than a clean digital recording that would have been made these days. Very pleasant also is a little booklet with the lyrics (and translation) and an illuminating commentary (done too rarely to my taste). The lyrics add so much to the music! especially for non-native Spanish speakers.

If you have at least one BVSC recording, you'll have to at least borrow this one to educate yourself and reach another level in your appreciation of Cuban music. Along with "Cuban counterpoint, a history of the son montuno" these are my best two buys of the year. Highly recommended!

As soon as I heard this CD in the sample section of a record store I was hooked. The latin beat is perfectly catchy without being frenetic and cheesy sounding like a lot of modern salsa. The music is probably the happiest thing I've ever heard. Havana must be (or must have been)quite a place if you could go out an hear this kind of stuff. This CD makes me want to join a Cuban Son band!

This is a fantastic CD, probably the best Cuban descargas (jam sessions) I have ever heard. I was born and raised in Cuba and this CD is the real stuff, great music, great recording - can't stop playing it (and I have many others). While recorded 20 years ago the sound is excellent and the performances are "heaven". How I wish that these performers could get together again and record so more.... Several of them are now part of the Buena Vista Social Club but as much as I like the BVSC recordings, this one is even better. Highly, highly recommended.

If you're cuban born , raised in the U.S.,and want to cry , just listen to these two CDs. These 30 musicians are the originals . They are The Buena Vista Social Club , 20 years ago . In fact you'll hear "Pio Leyva"'s voice 20 years younger (he's 82 now). Don't buy just one set

This album has some of the best Cuban music I've heard. Although I'm a gringo, I've got a collection of 15 albums, including most of the Buena Vista series and several others, and I listen to a lot of son. The music on this album has so much excitement, and it swings so much, that it's just amazing to listen to. The descargas here, especially "Maracaibo Oriental" and "Guaguanco A Todos Los Barrios," are tons of fun to listen to. If you want another, equally good CD, in a more subdued, guitary campesino style, I highly recommend Eliades Ochoa's Sublime Ilusion.

This CD is my favorite CD of any kind of music no contest. I have listened to this CD everyday for the past year. I have bought many Latin CD's only to be disappointed with the selection of songs. Most of what people consider Latin music today is trash, watered down music for American consumption,people with fake gold chains (and fake hair on their chest), trying to cash in on the works of the real masters of (son)music. The musicians on these two CD's are GOD's with their instruments, it is passionate,and spiritual the feeling you get from listening to these CD's. If you could only afford one cd your entire life this should be it. I only hope the musicians on this album (CD)get the monetary reward and acclaim they deserve. I can not stop listening to this CD,"Mi Amanecer Campesino" is the perfect Latin song hands down, it is just perfect, If anyone out there has heard a better latin song please let me know. BUY this cd.

Once you hear this music, you will understand why many modern music historians will tell 'there's "el son", then there's everything else.'

It's unfortunate that most people think of Salsa as 'the' Cuban music. Salsa it's just a simplified, pop version of the real deal, 'el son.'

Forget Salsa, Merengue, or any other type of Latin music you may have heard.

The son is the real deal. The rhythms of Africa, the moodiness of Spain, it's own amazing set of instruments (the 'tres' stands out), the jazz of the French brass, the soulful of the Blues (Blues originates in W. Africa), and the funk of the Montuno.

Once you have been captivated by 'el son', you will never listen to music quite the same way again.

This CD contains some of the most amazing, mesmerizing descargas (jams) you will ever hear. There's no language barrier here. This music goes places, and comes back.

Every song is a celebration of life, and of the 'son'. The musicians are very aware of the music they are interpreting.
You can hear them encouraging and admiring each other as each voice/instrument takes its turn under the spotlight and the rest of the musicians take their turn in support.

The chorus in Prepara los Cueros is a show of it's own, reminiscent of the chorus in a Greek play as it introduces the players.

This CD is a treasure.

This CD is my favorite CD of any kind of music no contest. I have listened to it everyday for the past year. I have bought many Latin CD's only to be disappointed with the selection of songs. Most if not of what people consider Latin music today is trash, watered down music for American consumption,people with fake gold chains, trying to cash in on the work of real masters of (son)music. The musicians on these two CD's are GOD's with there instruments, it is passionate,and spiritual the feeling you will get from listening to these CD. If you could only afford one cd your entire life this should be it. I only hope the musicians on this album (CD)get the monetary reward and acclaim they deserve. BUY this cd. P.S. Do not email me and tell me I am wrong, until you have listened to all of the song at least 3 times especially "Mi Amanecer Campesino" the greatest latin song of all time.

If you're cuban born , raised in the U.S.,and want to cry , just listen to these two CDs. These 30 musicians are the originals . They are The Buena Vista Social Club , 20 years ago . In fact you'll hear "Pio Leyva"'s voice 20 years younger (he's 82 now). Don't buy just one set