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."

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.

Buena Vista Social Club at Carnegie Hall, released last week on high-grade vinyl and set for release as a double CD next Tuesday, is featured on the latest edition of NPR's All Songs Considered. The show's host, Bob Boilen, introduces "Silencio," the touching duet between Ibrahim Ferrer and Omara Portuondo, by saying of the entire set: "What I love about this music is how gently it all hangs together. It's both relaxed and precise at the same time."