Blended harmonies, sugary melodies, complementary percussion, buttery voices. A pleasing medley it'd be churlish to pretend isn't, well, pleasing. So I happily tolerated it and would be unlikely to object if I ever heard it again even though ultimately polite musicianship doesn't lift, cleanse or scratch my soul and music that tends too agreeable makes me a tad dis. If that sounds contrarian I guess that's because, to an extent, that's how I like my music - with contradictions and contradistinctions. To put it in a less assholish way: I tuned out a lot That seems to be part of the design here, which I don't get. That's like opting to get your hair stroked when you could get your butthole eaten ;) Okay, now I am being churlish. It was very pleasant.
I felt like a sexy latino on a sun drenched beach in a quiet fishing town in Cuba sipping pina coladas and smiling at the world. Then I got angry that I wasn't on a beach in the sun, drinking and punched a wall.
This is not music I would normally listen to, but I can appreciate its quality nonetheless. The record starts of well with the energy and swing of Chan Chan and El Cuarto, but Pueblo Nuevo's, or danzon in general, is not something I would find time in my day to listen to. The slower Dos Gardeniaas and Veinte Anos bored me quite a bit. This is a well executed and original album, but it does not fit my music taste very well. Overall score is a 4/10.
What a way to while away a dark Monday morning. Instantly transported to a cool Cuban bar, with swaying rhythms and cocktails to hand. Perfect.
Well, that was an unexpected joy to listen to. I don't understand a word they're saying but dang if I don't wish I did. They seem to be having so much fun. In some ways, I'm glad I couldn't understand what was being said. It made the whole album into a killer soundtrack for work that enhanced the experience but didn't distract me from the words I was writing. Musicality is so on point it should be bleeding. Just really great.
Whoa, nice! So soon we're back in Havana! I recognized this name immediately, and I realized that's because there's a documentary by Wim Wenders about this project that's in the Criterion Collection. I'm not sure what I expected, but it wasn't this. This is some great Cuban music--less jazzy, and more organic than what we heard on Machito. At points I think it could use more energy, particularly in the vocal performances, but it's still a trip worth taking. I could never dislike an album like this. Inevitably though, when it comes to Latin-American music, I can't help but compare what I hear to Totó La Momposina's "Pacantó," which is one of my all-time favorite albums. This doesn't reach the same high-water mark for me, but it's still great. Lots on here to love. Favorite tracks: El Carretero, Chan Chan, El Cuarto de Tula. Album cover: Pretty simple photograph, but I think it's mostly effective. I really like the BVSC stamp, that's a really cool design. But I also think they could've gone with a more exciting, more culturally indicative picture. Actually, this reminds me of that Oasis album cover, What's the Story, Morning Glory. That was two years before this, so maybe these Cubans were huge fans paying homage to their love of Wonderwall. 4/5
What a refreshing album from a talented group of Cubanos. I can definitely see myself spinning this again in the future in order to set a mood, transport myself to another place, dance, or meditate on our brothers and sisters in this intriguing country. I can hear joy and pain in each song, much like Jamaican reggae or Latin/Mexican mariachi music. I am ready to get out of this country and hide in someone else's culture for a while....
Even though it compiles lots of different musicians, there is a great flow to this album. I particularly enjoyed the piano tracks. Highly recommended!
This was a wonderful album to have on in the background while I worked today. Loving the latin sounds.
I heard “Chan Chan” in college in…music theory, I think? Anyway, I really liked that song, so I anticipate liking the rest of the album. Yes, I absolutely loved this album. It was so relaxing and beautiful and just good. I should download it.
I love this album. Haven’t listened to it in a long time. It’s the spirit of Cuba - and by extension - the Caribbean. The songs have a folk-tune, comforting quality to them that transfers to the listener, even if you can’t understand all the lyrics.
Cannot beat this classic! Truly beautiful music from la isla. I played this for my abuelo and he wept.
Lovely album. Really enjoyed the Cuban vibes and African overtones. Dad enjoyed it too. I made him listen in the car. I would most certainly listen to this again
Love this album, always feels like a tropical escape. Great songs, wonderful feeling I get from it. All in all fantastic for an album where I don’t understand a single word.
I was introduced to this album by my Chinese-Brazilian roommate along with a bunch of bossanova stuff. I played this one and Joao Gilberto Live in Montreux endlessly for months, and I still come back to this one frequently. It's even on my regular running playlist. I just love it.
Heard this when it was released. Ridiculously enjoyable and authentic. One of my go to albums when I'm looking for something different.
Absolutely impeccable Cuban music. The artistry and lyrical genius on here is hard to deny. Near perfect. Will always put this on if I have a rainy day.
I mean, its an all time classic of all time! The idea behind Buena Vista Social Club was to revive pre-revolutionary music of Cuba, listening to this record definitely paints that landscape.
I haven't listened to a lot of cuban music so this was a real treat to listen to critically. Well produced with a lot of beautiful musicianship on display. Favorite Song: Dos Gardenias
Excellent album that brings together a who's who of Cuban musicians to create something truly wonderful. This album is at once listenable, danceable, and features some amazing musicianship and arrangement. This will going into my rotation.
Amazing bossa nova album I absolutely love this album its sooooo good. The mood the instrumentation even tho I have no idea what they're saying. I feel like I'm being transported to Cuba with a cigar in my mouth. 9.5/10
Not sure I could manage the whole album in 1 go but this is a significant enough album from the late 90s that was part of me visiting Cuba so marked up
J'ai noté l'album de living color 5/5 au lieu de cette album. Mais living color est 4.15 et celui ci est 5/5. Vraiment un classique. Tellement bon.
I think this is a great thing, a true artifact in culture. It has its imperfections but for what it is in itself, about perfect
Listened to this one for pretty much an entire day, the composition is amazing and absolutely fantastic as background music for a relaxed diner. It does really feel like it was recorded in a Cuban social club, and the album is amazing for it.
This album got into myy soull every song but especially camino vereda and the womans songs
Cuba's best musicians gathered together in 1997 to recreate the island sound of the 40's and 50's. This is what resulted and its fucking magical. Authentic and timeless. 5/5
It's a classic, listened to this a lot growing up. It's impressive how an album from a genre that normally gets very little exposure became this popular
Great album! Introduces the world to Cuban music, I guess. But I love the beats and the instruments. Great variation in the music, all are excellent
Beautiful album. Not a wild range, but the instrumentation worked wonderfully for what it was. I love this album-a-day!
Fantastisch album voor bij een zomers weertje! Direct in Cubaanse sferen vanaf de eerste noot. Een uurtje genieten!
I love this so fucking much, god I wanna go to Sicilly. Even though it's Cuban. And they speak spanish. But it's close and I still love it too much to give it less than top score.
If you think I'm giving less than 5 stars then clearly you hain't been paying attention. Ibrahim Ferrer is one of my musical heroes. I've oddly never heard this, but I've had Rhythms del Mundo on moderately heavy rotation for about 15 years now.
3/1 Great album, wish I was there. Standout Tracks: El Cuarto de Tula, Dos Gardenias, Veinte Años, Candela, Amor de Loca Juventud, Buena Vista Social Club
Finally, a jazz (adjacent) album! This one’s a classic for sure, brings me back to my Afro Latin & Carribbean Music course I took at Columbia.
I'm not sure if I like this album because it's just different from so much of my music. Or if it's really that good. I think it's good.
this is peak cuban music i really felt like i was just chilling in havana and i've never even been
Good album, a bit long and samey. I love the salsa vibe from a lot of it. Not amazing but solid
Sigo escuchando ese disco cada cierto tiempo en uno de esos dominguitos desqueahacerados.
Writing this review last minute so it'll be a shorter one. This album has some serious classics on it! There's many songs I've heard on this before but I never knew it was this band. These songs are much more traditional and folky than our previous venture into the afro-cuban msuic scene, so this was a unique experience. This is a solid album with a lot of cuban "bangers" that create a nice and pleasant atmosphere, while expertly executed, left me wanting more artistically. But overall, I had a great time listening to it.
Beautiful Latin sound. Didn’t have as strong as a finish as I wanted, but a pleasure to listen to regardless
Quisiera darles 5 en pero sería yo muy barco. De cualquier forma no tiene desperdicio.
Great recording, many latino great songs and themes, Cuba is in many ways linked to México and we’ve always loved the BVSC
Great example of Afro-Cuban jazz. Pueblo Nuevo is stinky, but every other track is great. 8/10, didn't know they had 20 members.
Another fantastic jazz album! I call it jazz just because this feels like Latin Jazz. Apple is calling it Bolero. Either way, I’m digging this. I love the drum beats and the chorus lines. I felt like I was allowed into the Buena Vista Social Club. The album cover is perfect as well, fits the music just right. This is the kind of stuff I can listen to on a summer day, sipping on a drink at the beach or just hanging out with friends. A really fun album to have on. As with many Jazz type albums, I don’t have more to say than that and that I loved it.
"!Óigame compay! No deje camino por coger la vereda" (De camino a la vereda) "Yo soy el árbol conmovido y triste" (¿Y tú qué has hecho) Increíble pero me sé como la mitad de canciones de este disco sin tener recuerdo de haberlo escuchado nunca. Un beso a Elíades Ochoa, rey.
Good fun, I’m trying to decided whether this would be better if I could understand Spanish or maybe because i don’t understand the lyrics it makes seem more profound. They are probably just singing about really mundane shit just like Taylor swift does.
Latin grooves by old boys. Best Tracks: Chan Chan, Pueblo Nuevo, Buena Vista Social Club
This album opened my eyes to Latinx music and the pure talent that these artists have is immense. Favorite songs: Chan Chan, De Camino LA Vereda, Pueblo Nuevo
Un disco interesante, se nota una influencia peculiar en ciertos arreglos, principalmente en la guitarra/cuatro y en las melodias de la voz.
Smooth grooves and vibes for days. What does that mean? I don’t know, but I really dug this. It sounds like people having a great time together, and I am here for that.
Oooooh very curious to hear this one. I remember when this came out and seeing the album cover everywhere. This is nice background music. I like. I'l put it on at breezy backyard parties.
Spanish language. Gorgeous instruments. Would love to wander the river walk listening to it
interesting fusion of salsa and jazz. the pianist and guitarist are virtuosos to boot. i heuristically don't like salsa rhythms but this put me in a great move and i was groovin to it wooooohooo
I actually quite like the Cubano style of music, some of which I expect is due to it playing a fairly prominent role in Breaking Bad. It has such a unique sound and style that it's instantly recognizable no matter who is singing.
Excellent, but I wouldn't find myself listening through the album start to finish, except as background music.
Nails the Latin American genre very well, a great mix of cheerful songs and more low-key somber sounds
Classic Cuban latin jazz. Starts off very strong with Chan Chan but never reaches that high again. Album leans heavy on slower simmers than in-the-pocket grooves
Latin/Cuban jazz is my favorite type of jazz, just makes you want to salsa. Ok reading more about it I guess its not considered jazz? Well whatever it is it's good.
Really enjoying this… another album I likely never would have listened to but really good! Some of my favorite tracks were the piano ones like Pueblo Neuvo and Buena Vista Social Club. I’ve heard some of these songs before - I think maybe in some movies?
It's well-produced and all the songs sound nice, it just isn't really my style for casual listening. 7/10
8/10. Quite good, great vibe to have going in the background, and probably solid in the foreground as well, though I haven't tested that as much.
some really iconic tracks and some mediocre ones that really stretched out the runtime, overall a pleasant listen tho. 7/10
Ι normally don't listen to this genre, but there is something in this album. I really enjoyed it. The first song is a killer
A very nostalgic album to anyone who has spent time in Cuban resorts the last 20 years. Great collection of songs as a tribute to the rich culture of Cuba.
this was fun, and a really welcome change. also, those guys can PLAY. i appreciate the legacy, but i definitely feel like i'm missing something not having seen the movie.
Enjoyed the album quite a bit. Not the music I would typically listen to, but I am familiar with it living in the SW for 20 years. Pretty impressed, don't know how much more I will listen but will be more open to that type of music now.
Oh yeah, this is great. You have to either like this style to like this, but it's fun.
pretty cool album, some songs slapped, others were a little slow Chan Chan, Murmullo and La Bayamesa were some of my favorites
I like this, I think a lot of this stuff is very context based. Listening to this on a grey day in Hull it’s hard to go higher than 4 stars.
A marvellous collection of Afro Cuban music beautifully produced, charming and beguiling.
Blinkers on listening to indie and big beat, I didn't appreciate this when it came out and never saw the associated doco by Wim Wenders. When I finally realised what amazing music this is through , I couldn't find a copy of the CD anywhere! So I bought a compilation that used other versions of the songs on there. I have a confession, I when I finally listened to this album I still preferred the compilation. There was something about those other recordings that had a rawness that gets lost on Buena Vista Social Club which at times sounds too polished. At times this album too sounds like a compilation rather than a cohesive album I do love this album though and it was instrumental in introducing people to a music mostly lost because of the pointless embargoes put on Cuba by the US. It is worth checking out the Afro Cuban Allstars if you enjoy this. They share members and recorded in the same studio around the same time. More up tempo and raw than the Buena Vista Social Club.
As someone who only knows about this style of music in passing, this was a nice treat to hear. Favorites: "Chan Chan", "El Cuarto de Tula", "Amor de Loca Juventud"
This may be due to the fact that I recently returned from a trip to Mexico.... I found this album to be a very pleasant listen. This is pretty good background music: even if it is more likely to be overheard in some cheesy restaurant.
Gostei dá para imaginar uma trilha sonora de um filme com esse álbum. Não gostei muito da música "El quarto de Tula "
7/10. Something different. A great listen whilst at work and a couple of songs added to the 'chill' playlist. The music is happy, upbeat but not too intense. Some really great instrumentals on piano, guitar and sax.
I have listened to this album before. After hearing other artists and music reviewers talk about this album, I had to check it out. The music is good, and how this collaboration came to be is a great story. "Pueblo Nuevo" and "El Carretero" were the tracks I liked the best on this listen. Because of the history of this album, I won't forget that this album is out there. This might not be the music I will come back to very often, but this is quality music. I might be back again, when I'm looking for something different than what I normally listen to.
This album has a great Cuban cookbook in the liner notes... Good times come with black beans.
A refreshing listen from music that should be heard. I never got around to listening to this when it was released and it's the type of music I appreciate more now. A very pleasant afternoon spent transcended to Buena Vista. Nice!
I only know basic Spanish, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the tunes. Favorites: Chan Chan, De Camino a La Vereda, El Cuarto de Tula, Veinte Años, Candela
I saw Buena Vista Social Club perform live in the late 90s and remember thinking "Wow these guys are old!" But the the music was great and it's fitting that performers who toiled away in relative obscurity under the US embargo for decades could finally get their day. It's a pleasant surprise to discover that Campy Segundo (the oldest guy, as I remember) wrote the signature tune, Chan Chan, and it became played around the world in in bars, restaurants and brunch clubs over a decade after he first recorded it. Such a great song! I guess this album would have never been recorded if those two African Hi-Life musicians weren't denied their VISAS, leaving Ry Cooder in need of a Plan B!
I had this CDE on release. It was one of the sidetracks I was on when I was expanding the countries I was following musically. I really liked it on release but it actually seems less impressive now.
A great set and love the atmosphere and the musicianship. Music that takes me on a literal journey and away from the grey of London Town. I think I have seen the film but enjoyed the album more as it’s all about the music.
Some fun pre-castro cuban vibes, very nice listen on a rainy day definitely set a mood
Feels like I should be driving through desert mountains, or I’m at a local Mexican restaurant set to a calming radio station
Enjoyable, pleasant - the same way I would describe my Nan's quiche Lorraine. I can see why some people would love it, but it doesn't get me excited. Maybe the magic of this album got lost in translation.
Not so much my style of music, but I like it. Also getting me pumped for my trip to colombia.
Sort of felt like I was waiting for my Burrito at Guzman to start with but it all came together at Pueblo Nuevo - I imagine Cat Empire would've listened to a lot of this kind of stuff.
While this style of music isn't exactly my jam, I did enjoy this. Definitely gives you the feel of sitting on a sidewalk cafe in Cuba sipping a mojito. 3 stars.
good album for what it is but not my cup of tea. cant really understand a word they’re saying as i don’t speak spanish but i can appreciate it for what it is.
3.5 + Sunny and cozy jams from Cuban music veterans. The album has a nice live feel. Perfect for roadtrips or anytime you want something easy bopping in the background. I acknowledge the quality of this album but if I'm being honest, I found myself unexcited to revisit it. Besides \"Chan Chan\", the songs no longer move me.
This is really rather good. It's an instant good mood being piped directly into my ears. I have no idea of anything they're singing about, but whatever it is it's being done really well. The music is lovely throughout. An enjoyable listen from start to finish.
Tough one to rate. Its really good. Different, groovy, fun, chill. It's just not something that Im likely to listen to again as anything other than background music.
Tough to give this one a 3 because it's a good album. Refreshing and interesting. Vibes upon vibes. But few stand out tracks.
This made me feel things in my plums. An album with a sunny disposition. Could be 4 songs shorter, and it won't inspire you to go be the next Bowie, but I'm very happy that it exists and that I now know about it.
I'm a sucker for this Spanish language music. Album is mostly just good background noise.
Didn't have time to listen to the whole thing but liked what I heard. Made me think of community feel and carefree dancing and things which was a bit sad. The wiki page about this album is interesting.
A relatively easy listen, definitely one to put on if you were in the mood for some salsa like tunes. Not something I would go out of my way to listen to, but hosting a latin night or something like that would be good to put on in the background. Best: Chan Chan Worst: Buena Vista Social Club 2.5 Stars
Feel like this genre tends to be quite repetitive Gets a bit tiresome for me probably because the words mean very little Nice sounds though 4.5/5 from annie more 'ariba' for 5 stars
I don't normally listen to this kind of music, and I don't think this album will change that for me right now. To me, it was pleasant but there weren't any tracks that stood out.
This album is a tweener for me. First off, I like the Cubano style music. I like the instrumentation. It feels like a party. The Spanish language barrier is not a deterrent for me. I’ve studied Español on/off, so I was excited to follow along with the lyrics. Not that I understood most of it, but a decent chunk I did. Per tip from JKav, there are somewhat incongruent styles amongst the songs. Judging the album as a whole, it is a bit off putting. I liked the first half of the album more than the back half. My 3 star bucket is widest of all, and this album bounced off the lower score rim and in.
If the whole album was like the first few songs, it would be 4 or 5 stars. Love the guitar-driven Cubano style on those tracks. The jazzier and piano-focused stuff I like less.
Wow, sometimes I hate this platform. YOU, however, should smile in relief that you don't have to read my 10,000+ word review. After spending too much time I care to admit, I navigated away and closed my the page. But here's the condensed version: --- | --- WOULD PRETENTIOUS-ASS LISTEN TO THIS ALBUM? Yes, this album would be played in the background for the swanky dinner parties I host as a way to prove I'm multidimensional, culturally astute, worldly and very, very deep. Otherwise, no.
The second album that features Cuban music and its better. The calm tempo makes it feel like you're in an old western movie at times. The Spanish lyrics are soothing and the guitar work is very good.
I enjoyed how this album made me feel like I was in Havana as I walked and drove with it playing.
Decent album, definitely a great background music but not my type of music for main listening ourposes
Latin Album, hard to comment on since I'm not super familiar with the genre but it's a nice listen and good for background/ambiance.
*Latin album *Acoustic guitars, horns, percussion *Nice harmonies/vocals *Kind of a mariachi vibe to the songs *Track 4 Piano-focused instrumental
Very pleasant background music, like you'd hear in a mexican restaurant. Nothing that blew me away but obviously very musically accomplished.
few track is great, rest of them is pretty meh, sometimes it sounds too old and cubish
very catchy guitar and piano tunes, vocals and back vocals remind me of late 40s music like "I don't want to set world on fire". Perfect listen when you are in a bar sipping machito.
Jazzy Mexican music. Pretty music. Nice to have in background for a dinner party. Not bad
I would like this album a lot more if it was much shorter. The musicianship and production are really good though.
Great recording quality and production techniques, and good variety within the confines of the Latin sound.
estuvo bien, pero tampoco hubo tantos temas piolas, asi que no se van con una nota muy alta
13 December 2021 Listened in the morning while getting ready to go out and explore vancouver. Very vibey. Immediately feel like you're in Cuba.
This is the sort of thing that gets played on repeat in backpacker hostels and bars across Asia. It doesn't suck by any means, but it's a one trick pony. 3/5.
The sound of pre-revolutionary Cuba. Warm, romantic, and beautifully performed. Jam along on your otamatone.
Very atmospheric, but not really my kind of thing unless I'm in the mood. Loved the title track, though.
Kyllähän tätä jossain Havannan clubilla kuuntelis sikari huulessa, rommi kädessä ja tulinen rakastajatar sylissä. Konttorirotan työpisteen taustamusana kokemus jää aavistuksen pliisuksi.
Musicianship on display here is impressive. It’s just not a genre I enjoy. Album art is cool, I dig its vibe.
Started off really great with the salsa stuff but it lost steam for me about half way through.
Definitely fun, but it is the same vibe for a long time on this one. Could have done with cutting a few tracks.
Favorite Track - Bruce Maniguá Where I was - Office How I listened - Amazon music on speakers Listen Again? - No
I really liked the vibe this album had. Most of the songs were enjoyable and comforting. I don't hear music like this too often, so it was a nice change of pace. Not an instant favorite, but I liked some of it.
Jazzy/samba really my idea of bad music, this was ok and I’m loathed to mark as low as two. So this is getting a 3 stars.
When Ry Coder travelled to Havana to record a collab featuring Malian and Cuban musicians there was a last minute glitch when the Africans had visa issues so he went ahead and recorded just the Cubans. Fortunately for us, he captured the sounds of some aging local legends before they disappeared and left this gem for us to enjoy. The highlight of the album by far is Chan Chan which is the opener and sung by the octogenarian Compay Segundo. The rest of the album kinda meanders a bit and showcases the local repertoire and it also captures a wonderful performance by Reuben Gonzalez who unfortunately died a few years after this record was released. Overall, this is a solid outing and a fine example of Cuban Trova and Filin songs.
Enjoyable. Particularly like the first song (Chan Chan). It does get a bit samey after a while though...
This wasn't as great as I remembered it at the time. It's still a very polished album, but I think I got caught up in the hype when it was first released. There's great musicianship and the ambience of the album is maintained throughout. I wouldn't be in a hurry to for a repeat play though.
I'm pleading the fifth! I don't know what to say about this at all. I don't know anything about son, the genre of traditional Cuban music of which this album caused an international revival, and I don't think my opinions would be that considered or that insightful. I guess I can say I prefer the second half to the first, with the slower, more melodic songs, and the music sounds good throughout, although since I know nothing about son, I found it occasionally like wallpaper. A hedged bet of 3 stars, dolely because of my own ignorance.
Amazing musicianship and rhythms but can’t say it’s changed my life, would listen again
not a bad album, but no songs stood out individually as fantastic. Would be a good album to put on as background noise while cooking
Not something I would've ever listened to. Not bad, but probably won't listen to again.
nice, but not something i'd be in a hurry to go back to. i mind when it came out and it was refreshingly different but now it's a lot easier to find stuff like this...if you wanted to!
It sounds like I'm sat in Spanish class learning about the days of the week. And then I'm sat in a bar trying to get into it, being all cultural, but just a bit gash
Sounds like something I've already heard accidentally in the background of a Mexican restaurant. Definitely joyous and fun but too repetitive for my tastes.
Some beautiful Cuban music came out of this album, and even though I couldn't understand the lyrics, I could appreciate the jam. This album was thrown together with a makeshift band in Havana within only 6 days! The music feels like a jam-sesh between friends at a local club, which might explain why it was so easy to record. The only reason I can't rate it higher is because I don't speak Spanish.
Pueblo Nuevo is a nice jazz song. I enjoyed Dos gardenias. Buena Vista Social Club (Song) was nice. Overall, not for me.
I'm sure it's a decent example of the genre but it just sounds like the background music in every bar in Cuba
Hmm yeah, kind of not really my thing. I remember it being very fashionable to like this though. Maybe I need to see the film.
It's like Prog-Rock for Spanish music. Lots of good musicianship, not much to remember. Highlight Tracks: 3, 7, 11, 12
Meh. The story behind this album is more interesting than the actual music. Not terrible, but not great.
Upbeat and dancing music but abit of the same stuff each song, good music to put on to cheer yourself up
I imagine this sort of music being played at a Cuban restaurant - De Camio a La Vereda was my favourite song of the album but that means fuck all really. Didn't understand a word of the Spanish lyrics and the vibes were relatively chill, good background music but don't think I'd listen to it out of choice ever again (unless I was asked to put some music on in a Cuban restaurant). Although, they may have been singing about something NSFW so in that case perhaps not.. Because I'm extra and I can't help but judge a book on its cover I'm gonna throw in an extra rating for the album cover: 5/10
It sounds like Spanish music. I really don't know how else to describe it. It's just an incredibly generic album, a solid hour straight of just thinking "Yep. This is what Spanish music sounds like." It's not bad, exactly. I enjoyed listening to some of it. But it’s just about the most bland thing since unbuttered white bread. I kept wondering if there'd ever be a single interesting thing, some song I could point back to and say "yeah, this was the highlight" or "I really liked what they did here". Nope. I forgot every single song within a minute of listening. If the scoring system here allowed it, I would give it a 50/100, because I think that's the only fitting rating for it, but I can’t, so just pretend that my 2 is actually a 2.5.
Whilst I find the music perfectly enjoyable, it’s not the type of music I can see myself gravitating towards (likely because I like singing along to songs so I like music with English lyrics, which is obviously no fault of the album). But I just didn’t find it very interesting in general. So I probably won’t listen to it again. I also think it’s too long and becomes a sort of drag as some of the music is very similar. Favourite song is probable Candela.
Pitäis lukea mikä tässä oli taustalla, kun aika perussetiltä genressään tuntu olevan. Pidemmän päälle alkaa tökkimään ja vaatii ympäristöltäkin jotain, että tulee kunnolla fiilisteltyä
Fuck no! First world, early new century granola eaters going to have their latte to the fair and inclusive café right in their basement, and feeling great about themselves for oh such an open view on the world around them. Bleurgh!
I'm not into Spanish music, besides Salsa. So this was a no for me unfortunately. I can see that the album is well produced tho.
This was overall one of the most boring foreign language albums I’ve gotten. Surprised this came out in the late 90s since it sounds like something from the 60s
Not what I’d choose to listen to. It didn’t hurt my ears, on the contrary, but I’m not scoring it highly. 2*
Big yikes. A few fun mariachi moments, and fairly competent jazz, but I really can't enjoy it - did not finish.
“Buena Vista Social Club” by Buena Vista Social Club (1997) Music by artists in their 70s looking back 50 years. Painful. An interesting project, but not the kind of soulful musical experience it could have been. Recording technique is (deliberately?) retrograde, apparently having all musicians performing together in one take, with all the attendant flaws of the method (fret buzzing, unplanned distortion, uncontrolled mixing, shallow texture, little to no separation, etc.). Songs lack variety, and individual performances are only fair. This album is mostly of interest to those who are nostalgic for pre-Castro Cuba. I’d prefer to throw out the communists and let young Cuban musicians develop a natural creativity. But I’m not in charge. 1/5
Sounds even better than it did in 1997. Better stereo now :)
Loving it! Makes me dance - 5 stars
This reminds me of the background music in a romantic comedy movie were they see each other from across the room...
Musically good, but it’s easy to lose engagement since I don’t speak the language.