ben4's Full Review: Buena Vista Social Club (Sdtk) * by Buena Vista So...
This is Cuban music watered down for the American audience. The music mostly appeals to the ignorant/uninformed listener. If you've never heard Cuban music before, and you want to get in on the 'World Music' thing, buy all means, buy the album. You can talk comfortably to friends about it - in between your Taibo and Yoga classes. You can play it in the background at your cocktail party- its sweet and un-obtrusive. If you want the music that grabs hold of you - makes you sweat - look elsewhere.
Yes, some of the musicians on this album where once excellent. Yes, some of the songs are classics. But, no, the performances on this album do not do justice to the genre. This lackluster album is missing the raw gritty sound characteristic of Cuban music. The musicians are extremely old, and their lack of youthful (or even middle aged) energy comes across. This criticism applies to the whole series, and not just the first compilation.
Artists/Albums I would Recommend to those interested in Cuban Music
Artist - Album - Label
Small Band - Guitar/Folk
Trio Matamoros - La China en la Rumba - Tumbao
Nico Saquito y Los Guaracheros de Oriente
Los Compadres (W/ Compay Segundo) - Sentimiento Guajiro - Tumbao
Orquestra - closer to modern Salsa
Septeto Habanero - el son es la mas sublime - egrem*
Chappottin y su conjunto (lead vocals : Miguelito Cuni)
Arsenio Rodriguez
... many, many more
American Salsa Orquestra
Pacheco - Anything before 1975
Sonora Poncena - Le Mejor de - Inca Records
Ismael Rivera - Soy Feliz - Fania
*see my review of this album on Amazon
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