Customer Reviews

Songs From a Little Blue House

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I picked up this cd on a whim based on the cd's cool cover art, and was even more impressed after hearing it at a listening station. What a wonderfully smooth, relaxing, yet inspiring and exciting album. I've loved Cuban music for some time now and have been greatly excited at all of the publicity musicians such as Cubanismo and Formell, etc., have gained recently...it's all well-deserved. Overall, a great album for either watching the sunset from your back porch, or for cruising through the country with the stereo blaring....

"Songs from a little blue house" is a revolutionary recording -- possibly one of the only concept records that has ever come out of Cuba, and what a concept it is. Juan-Carlos Formell, an extraordinary guitarist, bassist and songwriter, had to leave his homeland in order to record these exquisite, gently-sung songs that express his poetic sensibility and profound love of country.Like Bob Dylan, Formell uses traditional and folkloric themes to express new ideas: the record is a beautifully woven tapestry of song about the essence of Cuban identity. Beginning with the joyous dolphin's song in the overture, "Canto del delfin" and continuing through a landscape of poignant and bittersweet commentary, the songs describe a journey in search of Cuba's soul -- "Pajarillo" asks "where has the little bird that carried me over the river to the cane fields gone?"; "Palo de guayaba", is about the sacred guava pole, "hard to break," a symbol of Cuban resilience. The music builds to a crescendo with "A Cuba Nos Vamos", his expression of defiance against Castro's repression that is followed by his passionate assertion of his and Cuba's ultimate survival. This record sets a new standard for Cuban and all Latin music. It is miles better than "Buena Vista Social Club" and way more innovative and interesting than the work of Brazilian songwriters Veloso and Nascimento.

This Grammy-nominated debut recording is a miracle: flawless from beginning to end. Formell is a magnificent guitar player, and his songs are gems strung together to create a tiara of Cuban music as it has never been heard before. His voice is the prefect companion to the deceptively gentle music, that flows like a river therough Cuban music history.

Purchased this disc because I heard it at a listening station here in NYC. This makes for great cooking music or background music. Sit on your front porch and enjoy a cold rum and coke!

I love this cd. It was my first real introduction to Cuban music, but not my last. A good mix of instrumentals and vocals, and also nice packaging. The booklet includes the Spanish lyrics with the English translation, which is always good to have. This is a wonderful album to relax by, but not at all dull...the musicianship is first rate, and repeated listenings can reveal cool background "bits" that may have been missed before. I highly recommend this album to anyone who loves Cuban music or who would like to discover it.

Exceptional music on levels. . . engaging anrangements played perfectly by each acoustical instrument, lyrics that touch and resonate, vocals sung with a voice that lives in the song, and a guitar that weeps and exults simultaneously. Songs like "La Vaquita", "Agua Bendita" and "Mango Manguey" shine as examples of a music that has a timelessness which few artists can capture. Give yourself a gift and listen to this music.

Astonishing. "songs from a little blue house" is a seminal work of art that expresses and sums up the innate beauty of Cuba and its music --it is a sacred text, musically and in the lyrics, containing the alpha and omega of Cuban identity. SInger, songwriter, guitarist Juan-Carlos Formell is the Taliesin of Cuba and the profundity of his music is endless: each time you listen to it, you reach another level. This record matches the golden period of Dylan in the 1960s.
G.Bourdain

I don't like to waste time writing reviews for CDs I didn't like, but in this case I think is fair that someone tell an important detail about it. First, let me be fair, the music, the instruments performance and the recording quality of this CD are wonderful, but,sorry, this man has a very weak voice. I would prefer him to let other people to sing their beautiful songs, this CD could be perfect that way. But I don't like Bob Dylan's voice either, so is your final decision. Hear the samples.

I don't like to waste time writing reviews for CDs I didn't like, but in this case I think is fair that someone tell an important detail about it. First, let me be fair, the music, the instruments performance and the recording quality of this CD are wonderful, but,sorry, this man has a very weak voice. I would prefer him to let other people to sing their beautiful songs, this CD could be perfect that way. But I don't like Bob Dylan's voice either, so is your final decision. Hear the samples.