Live at Jazz Alley [Live]

Mongo Santamaria | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 27, 1990)
• Original Release Date: August 3, 1990
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Concord Records
• ASIN: B000003OY9
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #479,972 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Home

2. Bonita [Live]

3. Philadelphia [Live]

4. Para Ti [Live][*]

5. Manteca [Live]

6. Ponce

7. Come Candela [Live]

8. Ibiano [*]

9. Juan José [*]

10. Afro Blue [Live]

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mongo LIVE! 5- Stars!, March 8, 2005

By 

Tim Withee "Tim Withee" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Live at Jazz Alley (Audio CD)

In the late 80s and early 90s, Jazz Alley was an annual stop for Mongo Santamaria and his band. Their appearance was an event that I wouldn't miss and it never disappointed. Someone at Concord Jazz, Mongo's label at the time, had the really bright idea of recording them live at that venue in March 1990 and I was one of the lucky patrons of the club on those dates.

The band itself is an all-star lineup, including such luminaries as Ray Vega, Marty Sheller, Bobby Porcelli, Bob Quaranta, Johnny Almendra, Mitch Frohman, Eddie Rodriguez and Bernie Minoso.

The sets included such classics as Manteca and an awesome version of Afro Blue. There really isn't a weak tune in the set , but my personal favorites are the opener, "Home," "Ponce,", "Bonita," "Ibiano," and "Philadelphia" -- along with, of course, "Manteca" and "Afro Blue." The set is rounded out by the tunes, "Para Ti," "Come Candela," and "Juan Jose."

Vega on trumpet and flugelhorn and Porcelli on alto and bari saxes and flute, really stood out on this date. Their playing is tight, intense and powerful. The other horn player, Mitch Frohman does an outstanding job as well. Bob Quaranta's piano work is lyrical and flawless, setting the mood for the tunes. And as always, Mongo: almost never without a warm smile, playing brilliantly, sitting front and center leading the rhythm section (the backbone of the band); more than ably assisted by Almendra, Rodriguez and Minoso on bass.

Many live albums aren't quite up to par with a band's studio work, but this side is very well done, from the standpoint of outstanding musicianship and being well-engineered. The electricity created by the interplay of the band and crowd comes out well on the record, giving the listener a good idea of what it was like to have been in the audience.

If you're already a fan of Mongo Santamaria and don't have this side, I recommend adding it to your collection. If you aren't, but interested in Latin Jazz and want to check out a great musician and his band on a live date, don't hesitate to check this out. You won't be disappointed.

For a longtime fan who was fortunate enough to have "been there" for the date, it's always enjoyable to go back there again and again, to always be able to hear this great band BLOW.

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice 1990 live set, January 29, 2008

By 

K. Cooper (Phila. area) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Live at Jazz Alley (Hybr) (Audio CD)

This is a 10 song 64 minute set recorded in 1990 in Seattle. Santamaria was 68 at the time but you couldn't tell by the playing. It is a mostly uptempo set of Latin jazz and there's room for the band to stretch out on a few of the songs including the closer "Afro Blue". For fans of great congo playing and Cuban jazz, a nice addition.