Lo Mejor de la Vida

Compay Segundo

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 15, 1998)
• Original Release Date: September 15, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Nonesuch
• ASIN: B00000AEE4
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #182,257 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The 90-year-old Cuban guitarist and singer introduced to much of the world on Ry Cooder's Buena Vista Social Club, is back with his own album. While Segundo uses his own group here, the disc has the same combination of delicate acoustic guitars, complex Afrocaribbean rhythms, and relaxed, impromptu feel as Buena Vista. Segundo has chosen songs from his first heyday in the 1920s and 1930s, and perfectly captures their classic flavor without making them sound like museum pieces. While less varied than the all-star Cooder project, the album has lead vocals by several legendary Cuban singers, occasional, understated horns, and surprisingly appropriate guest shots by the revolutionary bard Silvio Rodriguez and flamenco guitarist Raimundo Amador. Segundo lets the guests shine, but it is his harmonies and deft guitar work that holds the disc together, and his flawless musicianship thoroughly justifies this more expansive showcase. --Elijah Wald

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good Guitar Music from Castro's Paradise, August 27, 2000

By	William M. Rand (Ann Arbor, MI) - See all my reviews

Compay Segundo is a 90 year old Cuban guitarist. His age alone makes this CD somewhat of a miracle and an impressive accomplishment. Listening to it, you would never realize that the fingers that are moving that fast playing all those great songs are fingers that are almost a century old. It is a pity in some ways that the American embargo against Castro prevented this great music from getting to America for so long.

You may recognize Compay from his work on Ry Cooder's great album Buena Vista Social Club. It's also worth noting that this CD does sound more like Compay's work on BVSC than any other album he's worked on, including Calle Salud.

Unfortunately this disc doesn't have nearly as much variety to it as Cooder's which is probably it's biggest problem. After awhile all the great guitar and percussion work just starts to kind of blend together and I sometimes forget what track I'm on since many sound similar. There also appears to be some bad electronic mixing that was done afterwards, someone told me it sounds like they tried to add an echo.

Nonetheless this is a superb effort. In particular there are a couple of tracks where Martirio and Felix Valoy add their vocals to the already superb instrumental sound and the result is quite amazing.

There are two tracks that stick out a little in my mind. "Frutas Del Caney" is an older song that Compay does true justice to in this version. And track 8, "Es Mejor Vivi Asi" has some great vocals that seem to cut straight to my heart.

If you're looking for a truly great example of Cuban music, then I'd recommend trying Buena Vista first, there is also another CD put out in that same line called Buena Vista presents Ibrahim Ferrer that I think is better than this work as well. However if you have both of those albums or if you just want some more good Cuban music with a great flamenco inspiration then I recommend this CD.

26 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This album kicks more butt than words can describe., July 3, 1999

By A Customer

As good as Buena Vista Social Club was, Lo Mejor de la Vida is better. Without a doubt this is one of the finest albums to be released this decade. The excellence of Compay Segundo's muscianship is almost beyond compare and yet is generously complemented by the fine, fine company of muscians performing with him on this album. Despite his venerable age (90 years), a youthful joy of life shines through in his music.

It is a essentially a crime that the American embargo against Cuba has kept such fine muscians as Compay Segundo from having their music reach American ears for so long. God bless Ry Cooder for "discovering" this fine muscian and the record company for allowing him a solo album.

Feel fortunate you have a chance to hear such a magnificient musician...now buy the album.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just to put it in one word: marvellous!, October 11, 1999

By A Customer

I can't find words good enough to describe the performance level of this artist, as my English is too poor to express what it is really like. It takes your heart, your soul, your life. Usually the artists do what they can, this one does what he wants.