Buena Vista Social Club

modz1 · #1 (**permalink**) 20th August 2008 , 12:37 PM

Played this album again last night and it occurred to me that other members may not know of this wondrous work and the story behind it.
In the late 90's, musician Ry Cooder re-discovered a group of Cuban musicians (members of the 'Buena Vista Social Club'), most of whom were in the twighlight of their lives..

Reuniting an ensemble of old friends, encouraging musicians who hadn't played/sung for decades to perform again, and culminating in a major concert at NYC's Carnegie Hall, a 'word of mouth' cult album, and an academy award nominated film documentary, which together archive this unique moment in musical history.

If the brief story above doesn't speak enough to you of the quality recorded, the album itself surely will..

The Buena Vista album is great for:
Sunday mornings
Soundtrack an intimate dinner
Relax you in a traffic jam
Help seduce the opposite sex

A beach bar at sunset
On an iPod after your most stressful day at work.........

Although musically a classic latin flavour, a step into more contemporary arena occurred two years ago with the release of 'Rhythms Del Mundo' - taking some of the flavour and (surviving) members of the originl B.V.S.C. and marrying them up with the likes of The Kaiser Chiefs, Coldplay, Arctic Monkeys, Faithless, Maroon 5, Franz Ferdinand, U2, Sting and Radiohead.

The full classic story is HERE
and info on the recent R.D.M. album can be found HERE

mrfracas · #2 (**permalink**) 20th August 2008 , 09:13 PM

I love the Buena Vista Social Club album. It's the perfect antidote to a stressful situation.

I was having an uncomfortable 11 hour flight earlier this year, and found it on the plane's entertainment system. Three times I played it! The time literally flew by. Oh flipping heck... believe me, these puns are not intentional; I just type stuff, and that's how it comes out!

saxman · #3 (**permalink**) 20th August 2008 , 09:37 PM

I've owned the CD since 1999. It is a worthwhile listen and I'll have to dig it out because I have not listened to it in a while.

There was a good documentary film released in 1999
Buena Vista Social Club (1999)

Filmfour have showed the film a few years ago and will hopefully do so again;
Buena Vista Social Club Movie Review (1999) from Channel 4 Film

sphelan · #4 (**permalink**) 22nd August 2008 , 08:44 PM

I love both the CD and the documentary. The opening chords of Chan Chan still raise the hairs on the back of my neck. The production of the Cd is top notch and the musicians...what can I say? I saw Omara Portuondo in concert in Malaga and she was magical.

And what about the Cd "spin offs"? Have you listened to the post-Buena Vista Social Club solo albums by Ibrahim Ferrer "Buena Vista Social Club Presents Ibrahim Ferrer" and Rubén González "Introducing...Rubén González". Amazing stuff!!

modz1 · #5 (**permalink**) 23rd August 2008 , 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sphelan

And what about the Cd "spin offs"? Have you listened to the post-Buena Vista Social Club solo albums by Ibrahim Ferrer "Buena Vista Social Club Presents Ibrahim Ferrer" and Rubén González "Introducing...Rubén González". Amazing stuff!!

No..but will I check 'em out..? Hell yeah! Thanks sphelan

sphelan · #6 (**permalink**) 23rd August 2008 , 08:35 PM

I have dusted these cds off and given them a fresh listen...and boy do they sound good.

I'm trying to track down some Compay Segundo material as this guy was a legend! Did you see in the DVD where he talks about lighting cigars for his grandmother (I think!) when he was only a little boy!!! And practically his whole life dedicated to music! Just like Eliades Ochoa...who recently played at the Expo in Zaragoza for Toumane Diabaté's birthday with other music greats like Damon Albarn and José Soto (flamenco).

Eliades Ochoa | Zaragozame.com

Need I say I was (and am) a fan of the whole cuban boom during the mid/late 90s!!!

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#1 (permalink) 20th August 2008 , 12:37 PM
modz1 Administrator Join Date: May 2008 Location: London Posts: 1,540	Buena Vista Social Club Played this album again last night and it occurred to me that other members may not know of this wondrous work and the story behind it. In the late 90's, musician Ry Cooder re-discovered a group of Cuban musicians (members of the 'Buena Vista Social Club'), most of whom were in the twighlight of their lives.. Reuniting an ensemble of old friends, encouraging musicians who hadn't played/sung for decades to perform again, and culminating in a major concert at NYC's Carnegie Hall, a 'word of mouth' cult album, and an academy award nominated film documentary, which together archive this unique moment in musical history. If the brief story above doesn't speak enough to you of the quality recorded, the album itself surely will.. The Buena Vista album is great for: Sunday mornings Soundtrack an intimate dinner Relax you in a traffic jam Help seduce the opposite sex A beach bar at sunset On an iPod after your most stressful day at work......... Although musically a classic latin flavour, a step into more contemporary arena occurred two years ago with the release of 'Rhythms Del Mundo' - taking some of the flavour and (surviving) members of the originl B.V.S.C. and marrying them up with the likes of The Kaiser Chiefs, Coldplay, Arctic Monkeys, Faithless, Maroon 5, Franz Ferdinand, U2, Sting and Radiohead. The full classic story is HERE and info on the recent R.D.M. album can be found HERE ______________________________ *"The light that burns twice as bright burns half as long.."*
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#2 (permalink) 20th August 2008 , 09:13 PM
mrfracas Super Member $mrfracas's Avatar$ Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Somerset, UK Posts: 321	I love the Buena Vista Social Club album. It's the perfect antidote to a stressful situation. I was having an uncomfortable 11 hour flight earlier this year, and found it on the plane's entertainment system. Three times I played it! The time literally flew by. Oh flipping heck... believe me, these puns are not intentional; I just type stuff, and that's how it comes out! ______________________________ MacBook Pro: NI Audio Kontrol 1; Logic Studio 8; Ableton Live; Sibelius 5; NI Komplete 5; various other plugs. Fostex PM1 MkII; Yamaha AN1x; Novation 25SL MkII; Audio Technica ATH-M50; Roland SH32
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#3 (permalink) 20th August 2008 , 09:37 PM
saxman Round The Horn Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Morden, Surrey Posts: 824	I've owned the CD since 1999. It is a worthwhile listen and I'll have to dig it out because I have not listened to it in a while. There was a good documentary film released in 1999 Buena Vista Social Club (1999) Filmfour have showed the film a few years ago and will hopefully do so again; Buena Vista Social Club Movie Review (1999) from Channel 4 Film
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#4 (permalink) 22nd August 2008 , 08:44 PM
sphelan Costa Del Cool Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Spain Posts: 3,052	I love both the CD and the documentary. The opening chords of Chan Chan still raise the hairs on the back of my neck. The production of the Cd is top notch and the musicians...what can I say? I saw Omara Portuondo in concert in Malaga and she was magical. And what about the Cd "spin offs"? Have you listened to the post-Buena Vista Social Club solo albums by Ibrahim Ferrer "Buena Vista Social Club Presents Ibrahim Ferrer" and Rubén González "Introducing...Rubén González". Amazing stuff!!
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#6 (permalink) 23rd August 2008 , 08:35 PM
sphelan Costa Del Cool Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Spain Posts: 3,052	I have dusted these cds off and given them a fresh listen...and boy do they sound good. I'm trying to track down some Compay Segundo material as this guy was a legend! Did you see in the DVD where he talks about lighting cigars for his grandmother (I think!) when he was only a little boy!!! And practically his whole life dedicated to music! Just like Eliades Ochoa...who recently played at the Expo in Zaragoza for Toumane Diabaté's birthday with other music greats like Damon Albarn and José Soto (flamenco). Eliades Ochoa \| Zaragozame.com Need I say I was (and am) a fan of the whole cuban boom during the mid/late 90s!!!
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