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Amazon.com essential recording: Ry Cooder's name has helped bring attention to this session, but it's the veteran Cuban son musicians who make this album really special. Reminiscent of Ellington in its scope and sense of hushed romanticism, Buena Vista Social Club is that rare meld of quietude and intensity; while the players sound laid-back, they're putting forth very alive music, a reminder that aging doesn't mean taking to bed. Barbarito Torres's laoud solo on "El Cuarto de Tula" is both more blinding and more tasteful than any guitar showcase on any recent rock album; a quote from "Stormy Weather" and some very distinct parallels to Hawaiian styles remind us of why it's called "world music." --Rickey Wright Customer Reviews: Rating: 
Date: 2008-06-20
Essential for any music collection
I am a fan of many types of music including jazz, rock, dance, blues, bluegrass, classical, world, etc. This is easily one of the top 5 albums ever created, regardless of genre. It is a magical culmination of music, musicians, and timing. If you listen to this (no really, close your eyes and really listen) and are not moved by it, you had better check to see that you still have a heartbeat!
Rating:
Date: 2008-04-08
Modern classic
I don't consider my house a home without this album. I seriously put it on repeat. It's one of my favorite to cook and clean to and just leave in the stereo when guests arrive. The DVD of the making of this CD provides a valuable context to what these musicians had been through and make the experience of the album that much more potent for me--I'd recommend the DVD, as well. Ry Cooder does a great job with both. Rating:
Date: 2008-03-26
Ry Cooder's cuban delicacy!
If you want to listen to pure fun music, please do buy this CD. It features a plethora of musicians , where the average age is 65, some of the finest in afro-Cuban jazz music, perfectly coordinated, produced and arranged by Ry Cooder to come out with a masterpiece. You have guajiras, boleros etc.. and some of the highlights according to me are Candela, Chan Chan, El Carretero, Dos gardenias sung by Ferrer.
Listen to the samples now and if that does not get your feet going, do get back to your indie music and stay there!
Once you have listened to this,i would urge you to seek out the albums of the individual artists, notably Compay Segundo and the amazing Ibrahim Ferrer (RIP). Rating:
Date: 2008-03-03
Love it! Love it!
For lovers of Latin or Cuban music, this is a must have! You will not be disappointed. Rating:
Date: 2008-02-08
the best CD gift anyone got for me
originally I would not have picked this up for myself, but a friend gave it to me, and this was in the beginning before they were well known. now I am giving it myself to others who somehow never learned about it. it is tremendous music and the DVD is totally worth watching, Ry Cooder did a terrific service to humanity. like his Timbucktu (sp?) album of afropop. |
