Track Listing

1. Engañadora
2. Cumbanchero
3. Tres Lindas Cubanas
4. Melodia del Rio
5. Mandinga
6. Siboney
7. Almendra
8. Tumbao
9. Como Siento Yo

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5658 in Music
• Released on: 1997-09-16
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com essential recording
Cuban pianist Rubén González has lived through this century's greatest musical windstorms, from the emergence of son to salsa to Latin Jazz and more. Born in 1919, González also retired from playing professionally years before this, his debut CD, was even recorded. He reemerged in 1996 when World Circuit stopped in Cuba to record for several days. He ended up making a thrilling debut. This impromptu CD was cut in a day, and its limber vibe shines for all its uptempo looseness. González plays a rainbow of Cuban rhythms and prods his percussionists and lone trumpeter to great depths of conversation and great heights of flash. --Andrew Bartlett

Customer Reviews

The Incomparable Ruben Gonzalez!!
If you know anything about Ry Cooder you can imagine that he's heard a few piano players, so discover for yourself why he says Ruben Gonzalez is "the best piano soloist I've ever heard". Mr. Gonzalez is undeniably incredible! When this CD was first released I played it for everyone that entered my home, and without exception, those who heard it immediately purchased a copy for themselves. All three albums recorded in Cuba during the 'Buena Vista Social Club' sessions would rate 5 stars here, but this is by far my favorite, if you only want one of these Cuban/Latin masterpieces, this is the one I recommend. The selections, Cumbanchero, Mandinga, Siboney, and Tumbao stand alone as inspired performances, and the remaining pieces although somewhat more subtle, are still beyond beautiful. Melodia Del Rio, and Como Siento Yo are very romantic, for those so inclined, and if you think Latin music played by old guys might be dated, just listen to Tumbao and tell me you're not expecting a killer Carlos Santana guitar solo at any moment. A very hot album indeed!

Simply beautiful
I hate to "ride the wave" of popular trends, but in the case of the musicians affiliated with the Buena Vista Social Club, the praise and adulation is fully deserved. I rented the film a few weeks ago and was blown away by the marvelous performances of these legends. I work in a CD store and I put this Ruben Gonzalez disc on our PA system at work the other day. In a span of about two hours I had at least a dozen people either ask me who the artist was or examine the CD case sitting on the counter. I've never seen such a wide variety of music fans show that kind of appreciation for one artist. Ruben Gonzalez isn't just some geriatric has-been who people are showing sympathy for due to his age -- the man would still be considered a stunning musician if he were 30! (he's 81, by the way). His command of the piano is breathtaking. Ry Cooder was right in his liner notes...Ruben sounds like a cross between Thelonious Monk and Felix the Cat. The music is sumptuous and Ruben's hands glide across the keyboard with utter grace. Whether or not you like Cuban music, it's impossible to resist the songs on this disc. I can't recommend it strongly enough.

my every day need : like a cup of coffee ; my piece of mind
when I bought this cd it was after I heard Ruben Playing with the buena vista social club. The song 'Pueblo Nuovo' opened my eyes to the fact that I was listening to the greatest Piano player in Cuban history and in Son History. I went to a box I got from my father and saw an old LP from this master pianist. Immediatly I went to the record store and bought his CD; that was his first ever after a lot of years. This emperer of the Son extracts respect from you while you listen to the way he plays the piano. If My father was still alive he would have looked up while we were listening to the music and say : ah, Ruben never lost his touch............... and lit up one.