superlatives fail me
5
By minissimus
The Ventures meet the B-52s in Havana, October 31, 1955, produced by Pee Wee Herman. What could be better? Ry Cooder's slide guitar doesn't fit with the Buena Vista Social Club, but he and Galban meld perfectly. Wonderfully entertaining, enormously interesting. Buy it.
First rate latin dream surf!
5
By BradPDX
A remarkable album that fuses Latin rhythms and musical forms with gorgeously reverbed, pulsating surf and steel guitar. Cooder lets Manuel Galban take the front seat, and lets us see (again) what fabulous musicianship there is to be found in Havana. Galban pulls one beautiful melody after another from his Telecaster, with Ry always close by to provide the perfect support. It is also beautifully recorded (Cooder always gets that!), allowing the instruments to inhabit a wonderfully imagined space.
Esquivel for grown ups. Haunting, and every track works.
Just Dreamy
5
By NN2Rad
A Silky smooth blend of Cuban, Jazz, Pop, Lounge and 50's twang. Hard to believe so many genres can be mixed together so elegantly. Manuel and Ry have really struck gold here. With the exception of the first three songe, everything else is worth the 99 cent buy. The first three are not terrible, but they just don't transport you . . . to that "different world". If you like this CD, then I strongly encourage you to try Ibrahim Ferrer as well. You can find his album "Buena Vista Social Club Presents Ibrahim Ferrer" in iTunes. Try his Bolero songs--quite similar.
An all time favorite
5
By Bimbels
This is an album that I listen to from beginning to end, in order, and love every single note. It's perfect outdoor chill music, sipping margaritas by the pool or BBQing with friends - I've recommended it many times to friends and everyone loves it. Ry on the guitar is perfection, I only wish he'd put out more like this.
Gorgeous!
5
By Fernabelle
This is the ultimate summer road trip music. All the coolness of surf guitar without the American kitschiness. You won't regret this purchase.
One of the greatest albums ever
5
By Austin Found
I generally consider the Buena Vista Social Club albums to be some of the greatest recordings of my lifetime. The slide guitar playing by Ry Cooder on the BVSC albums is much more understated and subtle by comparison. Here the guitars and lap steel are front and center. The tone is gorgeous and expansive. The percussion is spacious and adds a nice "room" sound to the mix.
Latin-Surf-Spy Music
5
By the tape operator
The first thing that attracts your attention is the TONE. The guitars elicit a 3-dimentsional, palpable piano wire twang. The percussions are recorded mainly with room mics, giving the record some air and added dimension. Over all there is a beautiful balance of crisp and ambient that gives the record a living quality. This was also aided by a technique of running many of the tracks through a tremolo unit that Ry salvaged from a vintage guitar combo amp; thereby giving the album the gentle heartbeat of a tidal pulse. The slower, languid tracks invoke riding through some exotic location in a convertible after a gentle rain with the brushes of wet radials sizzling along.
top notch
5
By K8TB
excellent album
