Track Listing

1. Chan Chan
2. De Camino A La Vereda
3. El Cuarto De Tula
4. Pueblo Nuevo
5. Dos Gardenias
6. Y Tu Que Has Hecho
7. Veinte Anos
8. El Carretero
9. Candela
10. Amor De Loca Juventud
11. Orgullecida
12. Murmullo
13. Buena Vista Social Club
14. La Bayamesa

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #618 in Music
• Released on: 1997-09-16
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com essential recording
Ry Cooder's name has helped bring attention to this session, but it's the veteran Cuban son musicians who make this album really special. Reminiscent of Ellington in its scope and sense of hushed romanticism, Buena Vista Social Club is that rare meld of quietude and intensity; while the players sound laid-back, they're putting forth very alive music, a reminder that aging doesn't mean taking to bed. Barbarito Torres's laoud solo on "El Cuarto de Tula" is both more blinding and more tasteful than any guitar showcase on any recent rock album; a quote from "Stormy Weather" and some very distinct parallels to Hawaiian styles remind us of why it's called "world music." --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews

Buena Vista Social Club is an Experience in Cuban Music.
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

Essential for any music collection
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!

Modern classic
I don't consider my house a home without this album. I seriously put it on repeat. It's one of my favorite to cook and clean to and just leave in the stereo when guests arrive. The DVD of the making of this CD provides a valuable context to what these musicians had been through and make the experience of the album that much more potent for me--I'd recommend the DVD, as well. Ry Cooder does a great job with both.