Track Listing
Click tracks with speaker icon to listen| 1 | Dru me negrita (Ernesto Grenet) | 4:58 |
| 2 | Monte a dentro (Arsenio Rodríguez) | 2:53 |
| 3 | Los Twangueros (Manuel Galbán & Ry Cooder) | 4:40 |
| 4 | Patricia (Pérez Prado) | 3:29 |
| 5 | Caballo viejo (Simón Díaz) | 3:51 |
| 6 | Mambo sinuendo (Manuel Galbán, Ry Cooder & Joachim Cooder) | 2:29 |
| 7 | Bodas de oro (Electo Rosell “Chepín”) | 4:38 |
| 8 | Échale salsita (Ignacio Piñeiro) | 4:26 |
| 9 | La luna en tu Mirada (Luis Chanivecky) | 4:12 |
| 10 | Secret Love (Sammy Fain & Paul-Francis Webster) | 5:49 |
| 11 | Bolero sonámbulo (Manuel Galbán & Ry Cooder) | 4:30 |
| 12 | María la o (Ernesto Lecuona) | 4:16 |
News & Reviews
- Friday, October 17, 2008
WNYC's "Soundcheck" Examines "The Buena Vista Phenomenon"; "The Scotsman" Gives New CD Five Stars
When Buena Vista Social Club at Carnegie Hall, the two-disc live recording of the renowned Cuban group's unforgettable 1998 concert, was released earlier this week, producer Ry Cooder appeared on WNYC's Soundcheck. Host John Schaefer writes on the show's blog of "the Buena Vista phenomenon" that took place upon the studio album's release, and looks to the new release as "a reminder of why 8 million of us went and bought this record in the first place." The Scotsman gives the new album five stars, suggesting, "There never was, and never will be again, a moment like the one this splendid double-CD eternalises ... [L]et this CD cast its spell on you."
- Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Sunday Times (UK): Buena Vista Social Club at Carnegie Hall CDs Capture "Captivating," "Once-in-a-Lifetime Evening"
Today marks the release of the two-CD set Buena Vista Social Club at Carnegie Hall, capturing the unforgettable concert event from the legendary Cuban musicians at the esteemed venue a decade ago. To celebrate the release, Ry Cooder stops by WNYC's Soundcheck this afternoon. The Sunday Times (UK) says there's "a poignant air to this recording" of "what was clearly a night of overwhelming emotion ... [T]his was one of those once-in-a-lifetime evenings when the collective spirit of old Havana carried all before it." Nonesuch offers those in the New York City area a rare opportunity to catch the 1999 Wim Wenders documentary about the group, projected onto the big screen at Lincoln Center.
About this Album
Mambo Sinuendo, Ry Cooder’s collaboration with Cuban guitar legend Manuel Galbán, hearkens back to a point in the late 1950s when Cuban popular music began to hint at a fusion of American pop-jazz and the futuristic creations of modern Cuban composers (like Perez Prado). Borne along by the mid-century mambo and cha-cha-cha crazes, the hot sounds of mambo-jazz spread out into American popular culture—Perez Prado was Vegas-bound; Stan Kenton hit the road with his "Cuban Fire" orchestra; Henry Mancini scored Touch of Evil à la Prado; and Duane Eddy had a Top 10 hit with the mambo-esque "Theme from Peter Gunn."
But nowhere can there be found a more perfect representation of this style than in the recordings of the Havana doo-wop quartet Los Zafiros, still after 40 years the most popular Cuban vocal group of all time. As Los Zafiros's guitarist and arranger, Manuel Galbán pioneered a tough, rocking guitar style that is considered by Cuban musicians to be unique in their music. Mambo Sinuendo reintroduces Manuel Galbán—pianist, organist, and guitarist extraordinaire.
Says Cooder, "Galbán and I felt that there was a sound that had not been explored—a Cuban electric-guitar band that could reinterpret the atmosphere of the 1950s with beauty, agility, and simplicity. We decided on two electrics, two drum sets, congas and bass: a sexteto that could swing like a big band and penetrate the mysteries of the classic tunes. This music is powerful, lyrical, and funny—what more could you ask? Mambo Sinuendo is Cuban soul and high-performance twang."
For Mambo Sinuendo, Cooder has enlisted the bassist for all the Buena Vista Social Club sessions, Orlando “Cachaíto” López. The percussionists include longtime collaborator Jim Keltner; Cooder's son, Joachim Cooder, another Buena Vista veteran; and the conga master Miguel “Angá” Díaz.
Credits
MUSICIANS
Manuel Galbán, guitar (1-12)
Ry Cooder, guitar (1-12), steel guitar (1, 8), trés (2), vibes (3), electric piano (4, 7), organ (6), electric bass (6)
Jim Keltner, drums (1-5, 7, 11)
Joachim Cooder, drums (1, 4-8, 12)
Miguel “Angá” Díaz, congas (1-5, 7, 8, 12)
Orlando “Cachaíto” López, bass (1-12)
Juliette Commagere, Carla Commagere, coro (2, 6)
Gregorio Hernández Rios “Goyo”, Maximino Duquesne Martínez, Marcos H. Scull, Yosvani Díaz, bata drums (3)
PRODUCTION CREDITS
A Perro Verde / World Circuit Production
Produced by Ry Cooder
Recorded and mixed by Jerry Boys
Recorded at Egrem Studios, Havana, Cuba
Additional recording at Capitol Studios and Sound City Studios, Los Angeles
Assistant Recording Engineers: Simon Burwell, Jimmy Hoyson and Isel Martínez Rodríguez
Mixed at Capitol Studios, Los Angeles
Digital Editing by Rail Jon Rogut and Jared Smith
Mastered by Tom Leader and Jerry Boys at Livingston Studios, London
Music Coordinator: Demetrio Muñiz
Production Coordinators: Zita M. Morrina (Toti) & Sara Daoud
Executive in Charge of Production for World Circuit: Nick Gold
Design by Doyle Partners
Cover Photography by Cindy Lewis
