Top of the Social ladder (Buena Vista Social Club)

Member Name: Caliente

Product:	Buena Vista Social Club
Date:	03/08/01 (230 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good collection of songs

Disadvantages: Doesn't contain all the songs from the film

In 1999 you couldn't get away from the cuban revolution that is typified by the superstars of the Buena Vista Social Club. The CD,as an accompaniment to the internationally acclaimed Ry Cooder documentuary film, is a beautiful taster of what this group of talent can really do.

The group itself are huge and varying, including favourites like Ibrahim Ferrer, Omara Portuondo, Compay Segundo, Ruben Gonzalez, Eliades Ochoa and Cachito. But it is maybe the fantastic sound when the group come together that makes this album so beautiful. There is a lovely old feeling about the music, with an almost classical hint, and a very lazy, relaxed side to some of the slower numbers.

However, it is far from just the slow songs that make the album. Upbeat tunes like 'Candela', 'El Cuarto de Tula', 'El Carretero' and the classic 'Chan Chan' will have you singing and chanting along with them quickly, even if you don't know any spanish.

(A quick word about the display of the CD- It comes with a lovely little booklet, with all the words in Spanish and English, plus the stories behind the songs. It's a lovely addition to the album)

Most lovely, in my opinion, is the track "Dos Gardenias"(Two Gardenias), a beautiful song of love from an extremely versatile voice, Ibrahim Ferrer, with piano accompaniament by Ruben Gonzalez. This song in particular soars beautifully out of your stereo to make your spine tingle.

Also worth commenting on are the two little songs "¿Y tú qué has hecho?" and "La Bayamesa", which should not be ignored, they are sweet little additions to the album, with simple lyrics and simple tunes, adding up to two incredible songs.

A disadvantage is that not all of the fantastic tracks featured in the film are on the CD. Sorely misused on the soundtrack CD is Omara Portuondo, and glaringly missing is the Ferrer/Portunondo duet "Silencio" (
which appears on Ferrer's album instead)

If you loved the film, this album is a necessity, giving you the chance to hear in full some of the songs featured in the film. If you've never seen the film, (it's about time you did, as it is an excellent production), you could do a lot worse than listen to this as a great introduction to the BVSC, and cuban music in general.

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