Product Description

Why the whole world wasn't privileged with the voice of this angel-faced singer until he reached his 70s is open to debate. What is certain though, is that this first major solo outing shines a long overdue spotlight on one of the most wonderful Bolero/roots artists to ever emerge in Cuban music. Like the humble Parisian baker on the corner who makes stellar croissants out of what might otherwise be a banal commonbread, Ferrer performs these romantic standards with a divine usualness that makes them burst with love.
Whirling in the mid-20th century time warp that is Cuba, this stellar studio opus bears many similarities to that of the Grammy-winning BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB. Many friends from that project are again on hand, including producer/slide guitar stylist Ry Cooder, Eliades Ochoa on guitar, pianist Ruben Gonzalez and the superb vocalist Omara Portuondo, although the gentle background harmonies by the women of Gemo Cuatro and sumptuous string arrangements are wonderful new additions. "Silencio" is surely one of the loveliest pieces here, with a heart-melting duet by Ferrer and Portuondo--the juxtaposition of Cuban guitar legend Manuel Galban's vibrato fills and Cooder's Hawaiian-style slide tastefully ornament the song's romantic imagery.

Track Listing

1. Bruca Manigua
2. Herido De Sombras
3. Marieta
4. Guateque Campesion
5. Mama Mi Gusto
6. Nuestra Ultima Cita
7. Cienfuegos Tiene Su Guaguanco
8. Silencio
9. Aquellos Ojos Verdes
10. Que Bueno Baila Usted
11. Como Fue

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9624 in Music
• Released on: 1999-05-24
• Number of discs: 1

From Amazon.com
It should never cease to amaze how spry and dramatically potent a force is the Buena Vista Social Club. The group--really a gaggle of aging Cuban maestros brought together for stunning all-star performances--keeps its footing in Cuban dance music at the same time as it revels in the lax tempo of layered hand percussion and traditional rhythms. Ibrahim Ferrer stepped to the international fore as the vocalist on the eponymous BVSC CD in 1997 and here furthers his already-obvious command of everything from sultry, horn-swaying ballads to gritty son tunes like "Mamí Me Gustá." Ferrer's tattered vocal inflections shape the more rollicking tunes so their texture is palpable, especially when belted in antiphonal give-and-takes with the rest of the huge band he totes along here. A 15-member-strong string section steps forward on the bolero tracks, which send off a smoldering passion that's startling in light of the BVSC's heightened, horn-charged charts. But the rich string passages color songs in wide brush strokes, which is to say that they heighten the passion to no end. Ferrer's debut might come in his twilight years, but it's a majorly luminous event. --Andrew Bartlett

Customer Reviews

Mindblowing....
From the first track 'Bruca Manigua' (which you will replay over and over) to the last. This album is simply Unbelievable. I only discovered Buena Vista with the free Movie cd with my Sunday Times a couple of weeks ago and Ibrahim Ferrer is just an undiscovered Legend in my books. Well, up till the last few years of his life. GET THIS!!!

I´ve run out of superlatives for this.
For me this is one the greatest musical recordings I´ve had the pleasure to listen to, from the first note to the very last.
This brilliant Cuban singer showcases his stunning abilites in a tour de force of Cuban music. While this album boasts it´s fair share of upbeat moments, witness the pulsating,"cinefuegos tiene su Guaguanco," and the raw power of,"Marieta," it´s on the more subtle, romantic tracks that Ferrer really showcases his genius. "Silencio," is the trembling voice of a dejected, broken man walking along the bay dreaming of his lost love. His voice is so clear and pure but yet at the sametime it sounds so vulnerable. "Herido de sombras," is another demonstration of the shere beauty of this guy´s voice. A personal favourite of mine is "Nuestra ultima cita."
Those who like Cuban music will know how breathtakingly talented and versatile the island´s musicians are. Well on this album he´s accompanied by the very best, legends like González and Galbán. This voice is more than worthy of this incredible collection of musicians. Ry Cooder´s production is excellent, he shepherd´s the record brilliantly and it retains a very authentic feel.
You don´t need a grasp of Spanish to understand the beauty of this and like the rest of the Buena Vista records it trancends musical genres and is very accessible to every music lover.
Stunning.

The Sound of Cuba!
This is a fantastic album, anyone who enjoys a bit of cuban should invest there hard earned cash in this album.
Its a huge shame that Ibrahim Ferrer is no longer with us and that we wont hear from the Buena Vista Social Club.
Best song on the Album has to be Cinefuegos Tiene Su Guaguanco.
This is the sort of album you'd listen to with a bottle of wine, a nice cigar and a beautifull lady!