Customer Reviews

Live at the Village Vanguard

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I have to agree with the previous reviewer: I am a bit disappointed in the overall sound quality, especially that the piano is too low and the percussion is much too high. But maybe that's the way Chucho wanted it, since the percussion figures so strongly in his music... But whatever the reason, this cd deserves much more than the score given by the previous reviewer. I listened to this cd in Tower Records one day, and I was so blown away that I could not have walked out of the store without picking it up. Chucho and his group are simply amazing on each one of these tracks. His swirling, rapid-fire lines and incredibly powerful chords will have you shaking your head in disbelief. The selection of tunes is very good too, from traditional latin tunes to a great version of my funny valentine, to the mind-blowing and funky "To Bud Powell" with classic bebop quotes left and right, and there's even a cool vocal. If you're a fan of Chucho then you know that this is a great disc, and if you're just a fan of great piano playing and great music in general, this is one that you'll listen to over and over. If you actually care about music you will thoroughly enjoy this cd and not even notice the poor sound mix.

I'm not a huge jazz fan. I own almost none and don't go out of my way to listen. So when my brother gave me this CD I was surprised at how quickly I came to love it.

I know absolutely nothing about Chucho but apparently he is one of the "heavy hitters" of jazz. Most of songs are piano driven and there is a great mix of slow smooth songs and frantic piano playing. Some of the songs sound like salsa and none are ever boring which is usually the problem for me with jazz. There is some singing but it's mostly instrumental.

I would recommend this CD to the non-jazz fan looking for something different. This CD is great anywhere and also makes good background music. It's the type of thing you might hear and enjoy (but not recognize) in a coffee house or bookstore.

Bottom Line: A good intro and some serious genre transcending jazz.

Firstly, I can't understand why some reviewers are complaining about the sound quality. I think the sound is amazing, on both my little portable cd player as well as my big surround sound system. This is my first introduction to Chucho, and I simply love it. The wonderful latin percussion and rythmn, as well as the fire and energy emanating from Chucho's brilliant piano playing. Track 6 "Drume Negrita", Chucho's sister, Mayra Caridad Valdes, joins in with a stunning vocal. I really cannot say enough good things about this album. Highly recommended!

Chucho Valdes, the critically hailed Cuban pianist and leader of the noted big band Irakere, leads a quartet of skillful musicians in this nine song set, Live at the Village Vanguard.

Traditional Cuban music formats are the basis for Valdes' inventive compositions, arrangements and selections, but straying from them, as the group often does here, does not distract. Conversely, they take the listener to uncharted Cuban musical waters.

The disc, chock-full of incredible musicianship, plays over an hour and three minutes. "Punto Cubano" is grandly nostalgic and Valdes' piano playing stands out on this track. "Ponle La Clave" is probably the most aggressive piece in the set - very driving, uptempo and percussion-heavy. Drummer Raúl Pineda Roque and Roberto Vizcaino Guillot (congas and batá drums) are featured soloists on "Ponle". "Son XXI" and "Como Traigo La Yuca" are fine compositions (by Enrique Ubieta and Arsenio Rodriguez, respectively) and their interpretations are set apart by Chucho's impressive chops - the kind that demonstrates Valdes' virtuosity.

"Drume Negrita" features the piano master's sister, Mayra Caridad Valdes, on vocals; the swinging tune livens the set. The song contains a colorful break down where Mayra scats and improvises some quick one-liners:

"Ese Negro no me va a cojer, Ahi viene mi Congo tomando café ..."

Released to the public on April 11th, 2000, Live at the Village Vanguard is Valdes' fourth release for Blue Note. The quartet also includes Francisco Rubio Pampin on acoustic bass.

Piano virtuoso Chucho Valdes never ceases to amaze audienceswith his unique concoction of Cuban music fused with African and Jazzelements. His latest release was recorded at the legendary hub of live jazz in New York City, The Village Vanguard. I was fortunate enough to experience Chucho and his quartet at The Vanguard about one year ago, just prior to his previous release BELE BELE EN LA HABANA. Admittedly, it took me awhile to warm up to Chucho in a quartet setting. I am accustomed to hearing Chucho perform with IRAKERE, a fiery, brassy, multi-talented big band. Here, Chucho is the focal point with an excellent supporting cast. I was in awe of the diversity of the music and the high level of musicianship. On LIVE AT THE VANGUARD, Chucho offers a conglomeration of various influences such as Cuban danzon, jazz, son montuno, a habanera and even a mambo. There are also shades of Arsenio Rodriguez and Bud Powell and an African lullaby sung with gusto by Myra Caridad Valdes (Chucho's sister.) There is something tasty here that will please everyone's musical palette. Chucho Valdes continues his never-ending quest for musical nirvana. Listen to this recording and you will know why he is considered one of the foremost pianists in the world today. I can't wait to see what he has up his sleeve next! Thomas Peña

Chucho Valdes, the critically hailed Cuban pianist and leader of the noted big band Irakere, leads a quartet of skillful musicians in this nine song set, Live at the Village Vanguard.

Traditional Cuban music formats are the basis for Valdes' inventive compositions, arrangements and selections, but straying from them, as the group often does here, does not distract. Conversely, they take the listener to uncharted Cuban musical waters.

The disc, chock-full of incredible musicianship, plays over an hour and three minutes. "Punto Cubano" is grandly nostalgic and Valdes' piano playing stands out on this track. "Ponle La Clave" is probably the most aggressive piece in the set - very driving, uptempo and percussion-heavy. Drummer Raúl Pineda Roque and Roberto Vizcaino Guillot (congas and batá drums) are featured soloists on "Ponle". "Son XXI" and "Como Traigo La Yuca" are fine compositions (by Enrique Ubieta and Arsenio Rodriguez, respectively) and their interpretations are set apart by Chucho's impressive chops - the kind that demonstrates Valdes' virtuosity.

"Drume Negrita" features the piano master's sister, Mayra Caridad Valdes, on vocals; the swinging son livens the set. The song contains a colorful break down where Mayra scats and improvises some quick one-liners:

"Ese Negro no me va a cojer, Ahi viene mi Congo tomando café ..."

Released to the public on April 11th, Live at the Village Vanguard is Valdes' fourth release for Blue Note. The quartet also includes Francisco Rubio Pampin on acoustic bass.

This CD is an instrumental masterpiece. There is one vocal track which is just ok but the rest of this CD is the way music was meant to be played. The wonderful blend of drums and piano just keeps you swaying with the music the whole time. Its hard to pick a favorite song on the CD since they are all so awsome. A must buy!

I've been fortunate enough to hear Chucho Valdes play live a few times, mainly at Blues Alley in Washington, D.C., and I must say I haven't heard another CD that captures the live experience of any performer the way this one does. Jazz on record tends to be less exciting than in the dark smoke-filled (well, then it was) room, but not in this case. Chucho's performances are nothing less than volcanic and that is captured here. Watching him play you feel that this piano is just way too small for this man; he needs one with at least twice as many keys, and it often seems he will just go off one end or the other. I get this overwhelming impression from this CD as well. Don't really understand why some reviewers take issue with the sound on this CD; it is just like being there.

This album is really hard to rate. On the one hand you have the greatness of Chucho and his band playing live songs like "To Bud Powell", "Como Traigo la Yuca" and "Punto Cubano" (probably the best in the album).

On the other hand you have the awful production that makes the sound very dark, drums and bass very weak so you lose a lot of the music.

It's hard to understand how a Blue Note production gets to give such a bad sound to such a great music.

Mr Valdes is a master of the Cuban/Latin Jazz Style. Not to many pianists can pull one like these, actually when you consider that is just him, bass, drums and congas playing "live". This recording is an experience on what real latin jazz is about, a great latin "ritmo" percussive and steady. The use of the drums like another melodic instrument in compass with the master work of Mr Valdez on piano. I have enjoy this CD some may say that the sound is bad, but if you were sitting in front row thats what you will get. Don't let those little details let you miss the most important thing in this recording the MUSIC.