Buena Vista Social Club

Better than the original release--the musicians perform live for a very rich sound. Quality of sound puts one in 3rd row center at the concert.

Although a big fan of Buena Vista Social Club and its performers, I was expecting the whole Carnegie Hall show including comments between songs and also the reprise of Chan Chan at the end of the show. I had the oportunity to see Compay Segundo twice and his comments between songs were worth the admission ticket for the show. The same could be said for Ibrahim which I also saw in concert.

The performance and recording are very good, and considering the historic value of the event it is a must have assuming you already have the studio album. I wished they had released the whole Carnegie Hall and Amsterdam shows on DVD instead.

As another writer mentioned, this release could have been done on one CD instead of two CD's. It appears as very greedy behavior from Nonesuch to release this show as a two CD set. I hope the performers and the families of those who have died will receive the appropriate royalties from this release.

It does! More real, natural. less produced. buenisimo!

I would give a body part to have been there at Carnegie Hall to see them live, in their finest moment.
At least this gets me a little closer.

One question? Where is the DVD?
I am sure cameras were rolling, give it to us!

There are very rare times where you can find a real jewel in music and this is that time. Do not hesitate to get this CD. I can not stop playing it.

Superb in every way--this is the temporary fix for all of us who watched Wim Wender's documentary and were enraptured by the film clips of the BVSC members at Carnegie--all too brief clips of masters at work. So, for those of you who want a work of art, a masterpiece of voice, guitar, piano, trumpet, saxophone, drums and more, this is it!

Two small bumps: When can we get the DVD of the concert in full? I am sure I am not the only one who craves to SEE these musicians actually singing and playing!

And finally, it's great that Ry Cooder was the mastermind behind this and so my following complaint is muted but...it's annoying that HIS name is top of the CD's sticker, HIS name is top of the poster seen on the cover, and when you watch BVSC, the film clips often cut to Cooder, who had about 2% of the total musical load in this whole thing. BVSC is, IMHO, solely and fully about a group of amazing Cubans, not a white guy from the USA. Cooder is of course an excellent musician in his own right but he does NOT deserve to be shown equally with Ibrahim, Ruben, Compay, etc. It feels like egoistic pandering to the producer, and it's annoying. Cash your producer checks Ry and enjoy the fruits of your labor but DON'T try and hog the limelight from the BVSC! After 80 years of obscurity, they deserve it all. But thank you for bringing them to the world!

Better than the original release--the musicians perform live for a very rich sound. Quality of sound puts one in 3rd row center at the concert.

Although a big fan of Buena Vista Social Club and its performers, I was expecting the whole Carnegie Hall show including comments between songs and also the reprise of Chan Chan at the end of the show. I had the oportunity to see Compay Segundo twice and his comments between songs were worth the admission ticket for the show. The same could be said for Ibrahim which I also saw in concert.

The performance and recording are very good, and considering the historic value of the event it is a must have assuming you already have the studio album. I wished they had released the whole Carnegie Hall and Amsterdam shows on DVD instead.

As another writer mentioned, this release could have been done on one CD instead of two CD's. It appears as very greedy behavior from Nonesuch to release this show as a two CD set. I hope the performers and the families of those who have died will receive the appropriate royalties from this release.

It does! More real, natural. less produced. buenisimo!

I would give a body part to have been there at Carnegie Hall to see them live, in their finest moment.
At least this gets me a little closer.

One question? Where is the DVD?
I am sure cameras were rolling, give it to us!

There are very rare times where you can find a real jewel in music and this is that time. Do not hesitate to get this CD. I can not stop playing it.

Superb in every way--this is the temporary fix for all of us who watched Wim Wender's documentary and were enraptured by the film clips of the BVSC members at Carnegie--all too brief clips of masters at work. So, for those of you who want a work of art, a masterpiece of voice, guitar, piano, trumpet, saxophone, drums and more, this is it!

Two small bumps: When can we get the DVD of the concert in full? I am sure I am not the only one who craves to SEE these musicians actually singing and playing!

And finally, it's great that Ry Cooder was the mastermind behind this and so my following complaint is muted but...it's annoying that HIS name is top of the CD's sticker, HIS name is top of the poster seen on the cover, and when you watch BVSC, the film clips often cut to Cooder, who had about 2% of the total musical load in this whole thing. BVSC is, IMHO, solely and fully about a group of amazing Cubans, not a white guy from the USA. Cooder is of course an excellent musician in his own right but he does NOT deserve to be shown equally with Ibrahim, Ruben, Compay, etc. It feels like egoistic pandering to the producer, and it's annoying. Cash your producer checks Ry and enjoy the fruits of your labor but DON'T try and hog the limelight from the BVSC! After 80 years of obscurity, they deserve it all. But thank you for bringing them to the world!

if you have ever wondered what it was like to wander the streets of old Havana at dusk, this is the cd for you. Old world charm, bittersweet songs of sadness, romantic love stories and upbeat melancholy musings turn every day into a sunny day. Grab a mojito and enjoy!

Despite listening to this album perhaps a million times, it never fails to put a tear in my eye while making me feel immensely happy at the same time. Heck, it sounds better with every listen. What else can you ask for in a record?

In the liner notes, Ry Cooder writes that listening to music should be approached like taking part in a treasure hunt. This record is a gold mine.

this cd is amazing and would have been a shame if it was never put on a cd. Even if you don't know spanish, pick this cd up because it has an upbeat vibe to it. It's something that you can just put on the stereo and clean the house to, or listen on a road trip. Inside the cd you get a nice little booklet with info about the songs, artist, and the english translations to the songs along with pictures of the band. I highly suggest this cd to any music fan.

This critically acclaimed album is a favorite for many reasons. The Buena Vista Social Club was a popular club in Havana that held dances during the 1940s and 50s. This 14-song album not only features many of the veteran musicians who performed at that club during the height of its popularity, but also includes Cuban musician Juan de Marcos González and American guitarist Ry Cooder (who produced the sessions). The album was recorded in six days, and resulted in a fascinating documentary of the same name by Wim Wenders (best known for one of my favorite films, Wings of Desire)). Musicians include Luis Barzaga on backing vocals, Orlando "Cachaito" López on double bass, Joachim Cooder on drums, Ry Cooder on guitar, Juan de Marcos González on guitar, vocals, and percussion, Manuel Galbán on guitar, Carlos González on bongos, Manuel "Guajiro" Mirabal on trumpet, Eliades Ochoa on vocals and guitar, Julienne Oviedo Sanchez on timbales, Omara Portuondo on vocals, Barbarito Torres on laoud, and Amadito Valdés on percussion. Not surprisingly, this album sparked an international craze for Latino music, and for Cuban music in particular. Complete album tracks include:

1. Chan Chan 4:16
2. De Camino a La Vereda 5:03
3. El Cuarto de Tula 7:24
4. Pueblo Nuevo 6:05
5. Dos Gardenias 3:03
6. Y Tu Que Has Hecho? 3:13
7. Veinte Anos 3:30
8. El Carretero 3:28
9. Candela 5:27
10. Amor de Loca Juventud 3:21
11. Orgullecida 3:18
12. Murmullo 3:50
13. Buena Vista Social Club 4:50
14. La Bayamesa 2:54

G. Merritt

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!

if you have ever wondered what it was like to wander the streets of old Havana at dusk, this is the cd for you. Old world charm, bittersweet songs of sadness, romantic love stories and upbeat melancholy musings turn every day into a sunny day. Grab a mojito and enjoy!

Despite listening to this album perhaps a million times, it never fails to put a tear in my eye while making me feel immensely happy at the same time. Heck, it sounds better with every listen. What else can you ask for in a record?

In the liner notes, Ry Cooder writes that listening to music should be approached like taking part in a treasure hunt. This record is a gold mine.

this cd is amazing and would have been a shame if it was never put on a cd. Even if you don't know spanish, pick this cd up because it has an upbeat vibe to it. It's something that you can just put on the stereo and clean the house to, or listen on a road trip. Inside the cd you get a nice little booklet with info about the songs, artist, and the english translations to the songs along with pictures of the band. I highly suggest this cd to any music fan.

This critically acclaimed album is a favorite for many reasons. The Buena Vista Social Club was a popular club in Havana that held dances during the 1940s and 50s. This 14-song album not only features many of the veteran musicians who performed at that club during the height of its popularity, but also includes Cuban musician Juan de Marcos González and American guitarist Ry Cooder (who produced the sessions). The album was recorded in six days, and resulted in a fascinating documentary of the same name by Wim Wenders (best known for one of my favorite films, Wings of Desire)). Musicians include Luis Barzaga on backing vocals, Orlando "Cachaito" López on double bass, Joachim Cooder on drums, Ry Cooder on guitar, Juan de Marcos González on guitar, vocals, and percussion, Manuel Galbán on guitar, Carlos González on bongos, Manuel "Guajiro" Mirabal on trumpet, Eliades Ochoa on vocals and guitar, Julienne Oviedo Sanchez on timbales, Omara Portuondo on vocals, Barbarito Torres on laoud, and Amadito Valdés on percussion. Not surprisingly, this album sparked an international craze for Latino music, and for Cuban music in particular. Complete album tracks include:

1. Chan Chan 4:16
2. De Camino a La Vereda 5:03
3. El Cuarto de Tula 7:24
4. Pueblo Nuevo 6:05
5. Dos Gardenias 3:03
6. Y Tu Que Has Hecho? 3:13
7. Veinte Anos 3:30
8. El Carretero 3:28
9. Candela 5:27
10. Amor de Loca Juventud 3:21
11. Orgullecida 3:18
12. Murmullo 3:50
13. Buena Vista Social Club 4:50
14. La Bayamesa 2:54

G. Merritt

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!