The Music Of Cuba 1909-1951

Various (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 16, 2009)
• Original Release Date: July 4, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Columbia
• ASIN: B00004U2GN
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #61,031 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This magnificent 25-track compilation, digitally remastered from archival 78s, spans 41 years of classic Cuban music, from the 1909 habanera/danzón of Orchestra de Felipe Valdez to the 1951 montuno-motored Conjunto Cubakonga's "Como Ayer," which previewed salsa and Latin jazz. The depth and diversity of the island's full Afro-Hispanic sound spectrum is here. The clave-coded tres guitar strains of the son ring through on Sexteto Nacional's rendition of the classic "Siboney," penned by pianist-composer Ernesto Lecuona. His pop orchestra, the Lecuona Cuban Boys, swings his Afro-anthemic rumba, "Tabú." The haunting operatic voice of María Cervantes highlights the traditional bolero on the voice-piano duo, "Tus Manos Blancos," contrasted by the Old World Spanish choral canción, "As Mozas da Vilanova" by Coro Agrupación Artistica Gallega." "A Centavo el Mazo," an uptempo bolero-son by Orchestra Pedro Via melodically mirrors "The Peanut Vendor" and Desi Arnaz y su Orchestra (of I Love Lucy fame) kicks up the processional carnival paces on "La Conga en Nuevo York." The DNA of the big band Latin jazz is discovered in "Pacto con el Diablo," performed by Alberto Socarras y su Orchestra Cubanacán. All in all, this stunning set shows that the 20th century moved and grooved to a Cuban beat. --Eugene Holley Jr.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful,historical collection of Cuban Music!, April 25, 2001

By 

fred bonilla (Norwalk,Ct.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Music Of Cuba 1909-1951 (Audio CD)

If you wish to investigate the roots of Cuban Music, not only B.C. (Before Castro) but B.B.V. (Before Buena Vista! I mean before Compay Segundo was born !) this 25 song collection is for you! I am listening to it as I write and it is hard to believe that the first two recordings are over 90 years old! The digital remastering of these recordings are amazing and the liner notes on the history of Cuban music and each song by Dick Spottwood is worth the price of the C.D. alone. One small tiny complaint( I would have rated it 4.9999 stars as a result...The notes speak of a ground breaking recording called "The Peanut Vendor"(El Manisero). Perhaps it was not a Columbia recording, but it is not included in this collection. Other than that, it's perfect.., Don't hestitate...BUY IT !!!

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extraordinario!, July 20, 2000

By 

Jose Salazar (Columbus, OH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Music Of Cuba 1909-1951 (Audio CD)

Lo mejor de la musica Cubana. No puede faltar en la coleccion de cualquier verdadero amante de la musica cubana.

1.0 out of 5 stars Do Not Buy, December 24, 2011

By 

Christin Gines - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Music Of Cuba 1909-1951 (Audio CD)

I bought this CD for my grandmother this Holiday season as a gift.... the music on the disc were muffled and basically unlistenable. Do not buy this CD unless you want a huge disappointment or a paper weight.