A Buena Vista: Barrio de la Habana

by Soneros de Verdad

Overview

This album might have been made to jump on the Buena Vista Social Club bandwagon, but it's one of those rare imitations that takes on a life of its own. Singer Luis Frank, the mastermind behind it, is a young vocalist with a big voice and a love of the older music. And though, for the most part, these aren't old songs, but new ones dressed up in their father's clothing, they're beautifully presented and played, a trip through the culture of son, guajira, bolero, and trova. In addition to Frank, who takes lead on most of the songs, the spotlight falls on veteran singer Pio Leyva and tres virtuoso Juan de Marcos. But others do get their moment in the Cuban son -- pianist Guillermo "Rubalcaba" Gonzalez unleashes a solo of truly stunning inventive genius on "Oguere," for example. And it's music that can work well without the backing of a full band, too; "Longina" is a gorgeous duet between Frank and de Marcos that works as much because of the interplay between voices as the playing. Ultimately, however, it's about the songs, and, whether new or old, they work. The vast majority of listeners won't know the difference between something written yesterday and a classic, and, really, it doesn't matter. The presentation and feel seem real, and the musicians invest everything with an authenticity that shows a love of and familiarity with the older styles and arrangements, like the muted trumpet of Daniel Alayoand the weathered, cracked vocal of Rudy Calzado on his bolero "La Mas Bella Cancion." And ending it all with more bravura playing from Gonzales is a master stroke, allowing his individuality another chance to shine, and shows him to be a true giant of the keyboard. But it's typical of an album that breaks all the rules of exploitation to become a work of art in its own right. ~ Chris Nickson

Product Details

Release Date:	11/28/2000
Label:	Connector / Termidor / Timba
UPC:	0718751587526
Rank:	117691

Tracks

1. Buena Vista  - Luis Frank Arias  -  Soneros de Verdad
2. La Sitiera  - Rafael Lopez  -  Soneros de Verdad
3. Bilongo  -  Soneros de Verdad
4. Baila Suave  - Luis Frank Arias  -  Soneros de Verdad
5. Hoy la Lluvia  -  Soneros de Verdad
6. Oguere  - Obdulio Morales  -  Soneros de Verdad
7. Linda Alborada  - Rudy Calzado  -  Soneros de Verdad
8. Longina  - Manuel Corona  -  Soneros de Verdad
9. Ojos Malignos  - Sindo Garay  -  Soneros de Verdad
10. Golondrina Guarjira  -  Soneros de Verdad
11. La M¿¿s Bella Canci¿¿n  - Rudy Calzado  -  Soneros de Verdad
12. Maracaibo Oriental  - Jose A. Castaneda  -  Soneros de Verdad
13. Rubalcaba  - Johnny Mercer  - David Raksin  - Moises Simons  -  Soneros de Verdad

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Soneros de Verdad   Primary Artist
Jesus Gonzalez   Piano
Pio Leyva   Vocals
Ricardo Martinez   Bongos,Claves,Congas,Cowbell,Maracas,Percussion
Manuel Hernandez   Tres,Guiro
Daniel Ramos   Trumpet
Guillermo Gonzalez   Piano
Pedro Pablo Gutierrez   Bass
Jose A. Castaneda   Tres
Manuel De La Cruz   Claves,Guitar,Vocals
Luis Arias   Vocals,Musical Director
Guillermo Gonzales   Piano
Juan de Marcos   Vocals
Rudy Calzado   Vocals
Ricardo Munoz   Bass
Manuel "Puntillita" Licea   Vocals
Luis Frank Arias   Vocals
Juan de Marcos Gonzalez   Tres,Vocals

Technical Credits

Johannes Wohlleben   Mixing,Engineer,Mastering,Photography
Juan Carlos Alonso   Text,Liner Notes,Photography,Translation,Transcription,Executive Producer,Compilation Research
Jose A. Castaneda   Composer
Manuel De La Cruz   Advisor
Luis Arias   Executive Producer
Giraldo Garcia Fernandez   Engineer
Sindo Garay   Composer
Detlef Engelhard   Mixing,Producer,Photography,Executive Producer
Johnny Mercer   Composer
Rudy Calzado   Composer
Rafael Lopez   Composer
Obdulio Morales   Composer
Moises Simons   Composer
Luis Frank Arias   Composer
Manuel Corona   Composer
Soneros de Verdad   Performer
Greg Wood   Translation
David Raksin   Composer