Customer Reviews

Marc Ribot Y Los Cubanos Postizos

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I will get the negatives out of the way. I do not like all the tracks, especially the only one penned by Ribot, #4, and # 6. They just don't do it for me. On to the great.

The first track is perhaps the single most beautiful piece of music I have heard. They great thing about Ribot's playing is not only his choice of notes, but his great timing. It is so intuitively right that one could practice the piece forever, and still not play it as he does, which is to say perfectly. And the percusion is perfectly spare for this shimmering, tranquil song.

The second song has a great, soulful groove that is not just a product of the rhythm section and a catchy vamp, but once again of Ribot's great feel for timing. The organ work adds to the simmering, deep groove.

#3 is a fairly typical and repetative cuban uptempo number, but there is a raw and edgy tone that seperates from the cliche cuban piano, or horn vamp.

#4. see above.

#5. More instrumentation and vocals in this one. Even though Ribot is clearly not a singer, this is a strong song because of the veriety of textures -- rock guitar, psychodelic organ, acoustic guitar, horns, cuban chorus, and Ribot's spoken words. They form a hard and yet sentimental mix that is perfect for the words, "don't cry, because when you do, I feel... something."

#6 See above.

#7. A driving, raw and beautiful track that comes to a powerful, intense conclusion.

#8. Again spoken words and also singing by Ribot. Listening to him speak Spanish is funny and but the music is solid.

#9. Perhaps the most jazz-like track on the CD. It feature advanced guiitar work from Ribot, but it is not just technique for it's own sake, but serves the whole, and does not comprimise, but embelishes the beauty.

#10 Somewhat similar to #3, but with had malcontent horn that adds a somewhat whacky, but unique and contributing element to a cuban groove.

If you have any interest in the electric guitar as an instrument, that, contrary to many peoples prejudices, can be played as or more beautifully than any other, by this album. If you don't give one flying hoot about what I just said, but appreciate beautiful, soulful yet not smooth and watered down music, buy this album.

Marc Ribot Y Los Cubanos Postizos (The Prosthetic Cubans), (1998, Atlantic) This album is sensational. Ribot is a master of the guitar, with impeccable timing and timeless mood creation. The CD is a tribute to the late Arsenio Rodriguez, a Cuban composer, guitarist, tres player and band leader who died in 1972. A finer tribute could not be offered. Most of the tracks were written or recorded by Rodriguez. Como Se Goza En El Barrio is just one example of Arsenio's brilliant songwriting. Another, Los Teenagers Bailan Changui, is absolutely intense. The album is laden with fat percussion from EJ Rodriguez and Robert J. Rodriguez. John Medeski lends his organ magic on four tracks and Anthony Coleman on two. Brad Jones adds stellar bass to the mix. Tracks like the Ribot penned Postizo illustrate the guitarists ability to be traditional and totally avant-garde at the same time, while maintaining a beat everyone can dance to. Ribot is at the top of his game throughout the entire album. He rips it up! This album wonderfully captures the intangible sensuality of Cuban music. Every cut is excellent. Recommended to all. One of 1998's best. 10 tracks, 47 minutes. Paul C. Doyle, The Vermont Review

Marc Ribot has set me aflame in his towering Havanna inferno with his smoking mastery of the guitar. He really gets down. The album starts off with a teaser "Aurora en Pekin." Throughout the song, the first-time listener is tense with the anticipation--the control sounds ready to burst. When will Marc let it rip and fill us with his fiery goodness? The next number, "Aqui Como Alla" is a comfortable warming, pre-heating our ears for the exploding dirty goodness that is "Como se Goza en el Barrio." The album continues in this emotional roller coaster ride of burning desire, dreamlike fiery visions. Thank you, Marc and please come burn us again.

This is an excellent album. Marc Ribot is one of the best guitarists out there today. One of the reasons I really like this album is because it's completely different from anything else in my collection. It can be great background music for a social gathering but on the flip side it's also good album to sit down and "really" listen to. The man can play. The one qualm I have is the singing (which I believe is only on two songs), it's a little cheesy. Get rid of the singing and this album would be five stars.

This has to be one of the finest CDs I have bought in ages. Mark Ribot's masterful playing can can be the driving solo force of the group and can also blend beautifully into the stellar supporting cast. Fans of Medeski, Martin, and Wood will love Jon Medeski's brilliant latin stylings, and fans of phenomenal musicianship in general will be blown away be the rest of the supporting cast.

If you like imaginative music that lies well outside the Top 40, do yourself a favor and buy this disc!

marc ribot might be the best guitarist you've never heard of. i wasn't really familiar w/ his solo stuff, but his dark and murky tone is instantly recognizable and strangely appealing. if you've ever heard tom waits's record, rain dogs, you know what i'm talking about.

the traditional and passionate melodies of rodriguez are rendered beautifully by ribot and a solid backing crew, but ribot still manages to leave his own impression almost creating an "original" album of covers. if you like any thing at all about the minor key, buy this cd!

The CD is raw, but thats what makes it great. Its Marc Ribot having a go at Cuban Music with an experimental side to it. Iyts a CD you can keep on playing and something that you can play ten years from now and will still be relevant.

Ribot and his prosthetic Cubans are an astonishing bunch. This is some of the tastiest guitar work this side of Havana. I've enjoyed Marc Ribot's guitar on Tom Waits' albums, and finally looked him up. Some of his work is very experimental, not for the squeamish. But the two Cuban discs he did with the Postizos feature some of the sweetest, jazziest cuts I've ever heard. And they all have Ribot's edgy touch. If you buy one and like it, get them both. The other is "Muy Divertido!", which Amazon offers only as an MP3 download -- and big thanks to Amazon for that! The disc is not available anywhere I've looked.

this disc is a gem. it is easily one of the ten best in my collection. do yourself a favor and buy it now for yourself and anyone who just likes good music.

Marc Ribot y Los Cubanos Postizos, remarkably still in print, is Ribot's self-described dance band and tribute to Cuban musician Arsenio Rodriguez. With a band consisting of Ribot on guitar and occasional vocals, bassist Brad Jones, percussionist (and frequent show stealer) E.J. Rodriguez, drummer Robert Rodriguez and either Anthony Coleman or John Medeski on organ, the album ends up being a mix of Cuban funk, jam band sounds, soul jazz, and a dash of the usual undefinable downtown quality.

There's not a whole lot bad to say about this one, the whole album is pretty much fantastic, whether its the opening and melodrama of opener "Aurora en Pekin" with some of the best playing Ribot's ever laid on record), the circular funk vamp of Ribot-penned Postizo or the surf-tinged "La Vida es un Sueno", it's all pretty much fantastic. The only exception being "Los Teenagers Bailan Changui", which features what I consider a downright irritating organ riff. Still, throughout the playing is consistently top notch, with Ribot in particular generating just enormous depth of mood ("No Me Llores Mas") and the whole band, particularly percussionist E.J. Rodriguez are fantastic throughout.

While it's getting harder to find, courtesy of major labels deciding that real distribution on an album like this isn't necessary, "Marc Ribot y Los Cubanos Postizos" (and its followup, "Muy Divertido") are both worth digging up. Recommended.