Reviews (page 3 of 14)
This was a lot of fun. I have no idea what they are saying. But it is a vibe.
A classic from my childhood. I definitely remember this album and didn't realize it was so recent and so classic.
Amazing classic. Added to my list
Very cool vibe. Cannot help but want to shake
Needs to be rated 10 stars
Haven’t heard it in maybe 18 years but it is still awesome! Good vibes only.
Smooth latin grooves for a sunny afternoon on the terrace. Love it.
This has been a proper album I've always loved. Simples.
Is there an album whose sound matches the cover as well as this one? Many fond memories of avoiding studying during undergrad and listening to this album with the headphones in the library. Pueblo Nuevo is one of my all-time favorites, the way that thing builds like a sunrise to the trumpet at the end is pure magic. +2 for being in Spanish and not being able to understand the lyrics.
Wonderful album. The smooth sounds and lyrics.
First time listening to the whole album. Amazing.
The vibes are unmatched
Super schön 😊
one of the best albums
Love
Awesome album.
Really enjoyed this one.
Amazing voice and an amazing album. This album makes you feel like the time has stopped and the only important thing is to enjoy this amazing moment and the outstanding voice of the singer 5/5
One of my favorite albums of all time. It’s not just one of the best latin music albums of all time, it’s just one of the best period. Alway takes me back to when my dad originally bought the CD in 1997 and would play it constantly.
A classic.
9/10, loved this album for a long time
Chill. Relaxing. One of my top 5 all time jazz favorites.
Está en el top de mis álbumes favoritos
uno de los albumes de mi vida. no lo he escuchado por que ya lo conocia
Love this! I've heard a few songs from this, I had no idea there was a whole album
This was an absolute joy to listen to. I never thought I'd give a five star rating to a Japanese metal band, but there it is! 5
Such a beautiful album. Relaunched several careers for these amazing Cuban musicians. Ry Cooder deserves a Nobel Prize. A must-have on any desert island. It’s a five.
only problem with this album is that i was stuck in the office listening to it instead of on a beach
Terrific arrangements and musicianship. Would play this any time for anyone.
Beautiful, I'm back in Cafe O'Reilly every time I listen to it.
im sure this record isnt Encyclopedic in all the song forms it covers but the breadth still feels titanic, and the group of no less than 20 credited musicians just takes to all of them in full effortless flight. the songs are wonderful and have endured for a reason but the playing and the timbres are the most obvious thing that my brain kept looping back to. there is a variety of emotional vibes to the material itself but the performance of it is always imbued with so much Joy and Grace above all else...the love for every note played just oozes. one of these albums that has just grown in power even more after having finished it...feels unassumingly like a Journey to look back on
One of my very favourites - soundtrack to every holiday
Beautiful. Doesn't get better. A favorite for life.
huge fan of Ry Cooder, and although I have heard of the Buena Vista Social Club, I've never listened to the album before. Wasn't disappointed
Have always loved this album, but haven't listened to it in a while. It's fun to listen to it with new ears. Propulsive and full of energy.
See, this is exactly why I wanted to do this
From the first seconds I knew it is really good album. Discoveries like this are still keeping me on the list after almost 600 albums drawn.
Sensational
Very good. Like, very very very very good.
Heerlijk!
Easy 5
A genre-defining album.
Wow! What a bop! This all sounded so familiar but so tight and well constructed. I enjoyed every moment and a few songs went into my on repeat playlist.
This record is excellent, and so is the documentary about it, so I won't go into too much detail talking about it. Listen to this, watch that. Buena Vista Social Club is a collective of a score of musicians, most of them elderly Cubans who were in their prime during the 40s and 50s. The group gets its name from a long gone social club/night club in Havana from the old days, before most night clubs were shut down after Fidel Castro took power. These musicians sound vital despite their advanced age, and the music sizzles like a hot Havana afternoon. The clubs closed down long ago, but the music never went away. It all sounds very natural and free. The album cover shows Ibrahim Ferrer walking through the streets of Havana, and that's where he was recruited to join the group. He was on his daily constitutional, where he would shine shoes for extra cash. Within a span of 5 years, he's performing at Carnegie Hall, winning a Grammy, performing for Puff Daddy and Jennifer Lopez (he dedicates a song called "Mami Me Gusto" to her, the old smooth talker that he is), and he's recording a track for the first Gorillaz album. It blows my mind, that if some exec from a "World" music label didn't recruit Ry Cooder to come to Havana to record an album (not this album mind you) the world outside of Cuba would never have heard of this guy. Ibrahim Ferrer was very talented (he died in 2005), but it's not like he was the best singer in Cuba, he was just the dude around the way! What other musical gems are just hanging out in Cuba? Summer's just about here, so put this record in your ears, and take a stroll through the neighborhood and imagine Ibrahim is walking by tipping his hat.
Nice listening experience from some great musicians.
I have always loved this album. It is top tier of its genre.
STAYED on REPEAT in my house. a classic. though kinda weird that this had a mainstream life of it's own.. this is just music I grew up with. I can't imagine a bunch of white people suddenly into boleros??
Лёгкая, жизнерадостная музыка. Легко представить, будто сидишь в кафе на берегу океана и неспешно потягиваешь коктейль... 8 из 10.
I've never been that much into cuban music as it all sounded quite similar: relaxing in the sun enjooying time on the beach... all had that groovy minor feel and it just didn't feel intriguing. This felt different though. More creative and expasive, opening my lens to a really unique cuban culture that is so heavily unappriceated. I love this album and certainly one of my favorites that I've listened to. If you're leaving a negative review because you don't understand what they're saying, wtf bro? This music wasn't intended for you to understand, appriceate the fact that it's not attaching itself to the dumbass american culture that is your love language. Just enjoy the music lol
Zonnige gezelligheid
Absolutely glorious rhythmic fun. I never get tired of this album, and it was so much fun to rediscover it. The bonus tracks were another nice treat. I've heard that the reason Cuban jazz musicians were so good was the strict Soviet classical training they received in technique and music theory combined with the Afro-Carribean influence elevated their jazz to rhythms into unheard territories. That cowbell meter holds it all together, and the clave--that mysterious space between the beats is where the magic really happens.
Great album 5/5. I knew most of the tracks already, but discovered some new hidden gems.
This was honestly a breath of fresh air. It was catchy and managed to keep me engaged and listening even when the songs were about 7 minutes long. Truly a great album of its time.
Latin jazz from the Cuban group. Upbeat, groovy at parts, and so relaxing. A wonderful listen. 4/5
I remember when this album came out, my parents and all their friends were obsessed with it and played it at all their dinner parties, so my parents played it around the house a lot. I remember at some point feeling cynically like it was a 'world music' play that was more about novelty than anything. But then I listened to it myself as an adult, and I've landed on two things: 1, it's great if people get exposed to a new genre of music, and 2, this album rules. I love it. It's nostalgic for me and from reading about it, for the musicians who made it. Made in the 1990s but with a 1940s sound. I love the horns and the guitar especially – beautiful stuff.
Top quality Latin music! A shout out from Brazil to my Latin friends in Cuba!
Classic
Oh hell yeah!! I grooved to this. Hard to go wrong with Latin American music. Sexy and sensual and strumming (if that makes sense---it doesn't really). I think a perfect album. Of course it's not an "on repeat" type of record for me, but I can sure picture myself jamming out to it in the future. It fits in exactly where it should in its own niche. Very fun and very energetic. Got me dancing a lot, which I value greatly in a set of songs. Loved it, very musically brilliant. Overall, really very nice!! :)) 9/10 perfect score!!!!
Very nice, we listened all through the weekend.
An iconic and sweaty embrace of Cuban music. This album has always held a special place for me, and not just because it feels like you’re accessing the forbidden through a time portal. Also because the grooves are nearly unrivaled and the passion is so strong.
Impeccable
Excellent. This is a great example of the music the influenced many artists of the 60s and 70s
Je zet het album aan, het ongelofelijk lekkere 'Chan Chan' begint en je ziet Chris Zegers alweer met z'n meer-dan-halfopen overhemd en met wapperende halflange haren, tevreden kijkend, voorbij razen op z'n door ons allen voorgeschoten huurscootertje. Of vergis ik me en is het Tim Immers? Het maakt niemand ook maar iets uit. We zijn op vakantie. Verder dan Chan Chan ben ik voorheen eigenlijk nooit gekomen als het op dit album van BVSC aankomt. Ze hadden in 2006 zo'n cover album (Rhythms del Mundo) en die heb ik nog wel eens aangezet, maar dit album eigenlijk nooit. Er zit aardig wat herhaling in en helaas haalt geen enkel nummer het legednarische niveau van 'Chan Chan', maar al met al moet je wel heel zuur zijn om dit af te branden. Die ritmesectie is toch heerlijk, de gitaartjes worden lekker feestelijk aangeslagen, de zangers doen prima hun nasale ding, een jolig kroegpianotje en wat blazers erbij. Je krijgt automatisch zin om zelf ook op een woodblockje te hengsten terwijl je door de benauwde warmte uit je voorhoofd en nek loopt te gutsen alsof het een lieve lust is. Ik denk dat dit, in dit hoek van het muzikale spectrum, toch wel het hoogst haalbare is. Exotisch, maar toch nog te behappen voor een tatta zoals ik. Ik geef gewoon 5 sterren. Deze hoort zeker in het lijstje albums die je een keer gehoord moet hebben.
Every single song on this thing is a stone cold classic. Better yet, every single instrumental line on every single song's a classic. The amount of warm, fuzzy joy these songs can conjure up is simply unreal; summer hasn't really started until you've put this on in the background, walking around with a cold drink in hand.
One of my all time faves
KLASSIEKER VIJF STERREN
A classic album, both in execution and the back story behind its making. I remember watching the documentary about its making in a Latin American studies class in university. All these musicians, super popular decades before, were apparently working odd jobs to make ends meet before they were all brought together for this album. Given the fact that many hadn't been playing for so long adds to the timelessness of the sound. Almost like they picked up where they left off rather than having modernized over the decades. Easy 5/5
Excellent musicianship.
Ja ik weet het, ik zou eigenlijk die film eens moeten kijken. Want dit album ken ik maar al te goed. Ry Cooder zet een stel Cubaanse ouwe knarren voor de microfoon en het speelplezier knalt door de speakers. Gitaar, percussie, vrolijk getoeter en gemummel in het Spaans. Dé muziek die je moet opzetten tijdens grijze dagen dat je je vertrouwen in de mensheid hebt verloren. Als mensen dit kunnen maken, dan hebben we misschien toch nog een plek verdiend op deze goeie oude aarde.
Dit is toch wel een iconisch album geworden, wie had dat ooit kunnen denken. Een stel bejaarden op het trottoir of on the back porch met wat 2-string, 1-string, no-string guitars (thx Presidents of the USA) en een paar trommels. Zelfs de obligate toeters klinken heerlijk. Niks nagels op een krijtbord, maar zoetgevooisd. Ik heb dit ook gewoon in mijn mp3-verzamelbak gehad. Omdat je er simpelweg vrolijk van wordt en de zomer absoluut in je bol krijgt. Wat wil je dan nog meer? Je bent bij het starten van het album instantly op vakantie. 14 nummers pak hem beet hetzelfde, daar zijn albums aan ten onder gegaan, maar deze nummers gaan er in als zoete koek. Lekker, een vrolijke 5 sterretjes!
This knocked me off my socks. Was not expecting that.
la vibra més vibra de la història de les vibres. aconsegueixen que viatgis i tornis i canviïs. el palau de circe dels àlbums.
Gewoon lekker plaatje, helemaal zomer
swinging joy, sinuous, flowing, uplifting - great musicians in perfect groove
A much revisited album of my youth. It’s on my morning album rotation.
Mycket mysigt! Coola harmonier och melodier.
Already know and love it
This was a VIBE. Wow, what a perfect accompaniment to the first warm sunny day of the year. These musicians are great and totally locked into each other throughout the whole album. Will definitely add this to my rotation.
Este es uno de los pocos álbumes que me hace decir "HELL YEAH" al hecho de ser latino. Planeo escucharlo dos veces más pero por ahora es un 10/10. EL CUARTO DE QUÉ?!
The album was a pleasant surprise. I had no idea what to expect with this album. It’s fun and loud and also emotional and moving. It’s instrumentally perfect, the music is like drinking water it’s so smooth. Honestly I don’t have the vocabulary to fully describe what makes this album special outside of being an amazing Cuban band that plays Latin music. Seriously though, if you are not normally a Latin music person I still think you should listen to the album, it’s honestly a lot of fun and I think that aspect of this album is universal.
I don't speak Spanish but the music was beautiful. Enjoyed it!
Love this! Its like being in the room with them having a great laugh.
Uno de los mejores álbumes en español de todos los tiempos
i’m always thrilled to see anything not UK/USA on here and this is so superb. perfect for cooking, eating outside, driving. loved it so much
Wonderful album, wonderful musicians.
Easy 5/5 kæmpe nostalgisk faktor involveret her. Satte instant igang den gang hvor min mor spillede det og vi har danset til. Behøves ikke sige mere her.
2 klub albumia putkeen uskomatonta.. club esque 2 in a row albums.. wondrous.. paitsi tällä kertaa ei ole englanninkielienn joka tarkoittaa että tämä on itse asiassa hyvä:)Mira, seré el primero en admitir que probablemente "entiendo" esto. Pero el hecho claro fue que fue increíble escucharlo. Es un ruido repetitivo. Tienes que ser REALMENTE fanático de los tambores de conga para amar este álbum. Hay una canción de 6 minutos que NO SE PARECE A LAS CONGAS. Y lo siguiente es una pista de 4 minutos de la MAYORÍA de congas, interrumpida por gritos ocasionales y flautas de samba ruidosas. el cuarto de tula
Still sounds great
so fire 🔥 very very good i like dos gardenias & veinte anos & el cuarto de tula very good 5/5 stars
Such a great vibe on this album, you really feel like they made this especially for you
This is a fine album. There was a time I had it in heavy rotation, although it has often felt just a little longer than I wanted it to be.
There is something beautiful about modern artists bringing a fresh twist on classical / traditional music in Latin American countries. I think Natalia Lafourcade is the best modern example, but BVSC's inspiration from the dark yet musically rich days of Batista is beautiful. Now to the actually composition of the songs, I liken it to the rock n' roll days of Neil Young and Crazy Horse where the lyrics are simple but the jams are drawn out, sophisticated, and exciting. El Cuarto de Tula is one of my favorite songs of all time. 5/5
Unfortunately, this was great
Grab a fedora, a Cohiba, and channel your inner Ricky Ricardo... this is an all-time favorite of mine and should be of yours, too.
What can one say about this album, which has not already been written and talked about. Today a classic album. Can't be anything else than a 5.
Incredibly fun 9/10
Never heard this before. God this is so fucking groovy. The muted trumpet line in De Camino a la Vereda -- wow... Definition of cool. Thank you. Now I love Cuba.
Classic
finally, music not centered in athe US or the UK. this is a delightful album where the artists not only show off their immense talent, but do it so casually that the music really does feel like hanging out at a club - either dancing, chatting with the locals, or in just soaking in the music.
This is legitimately one of my favorite albums; I've already listened to it twice this week but am happy to make it a third. Speaking as a relatively uninformed American, I recognize that there is something beautiful about modern artists bringing a fresh twist on classical / traditional music in Latin American countries. I think Natalia Lafourcade is the best modern example, but BVSC's inspiration from the dark yet musically rich days of Batista is beautiful. Now to the actually composition of the songs, I liken it to the rock n' roll days of Neil Young and Crazy Horse where the lyrics are simple but the jams are drawn out, sophisticated, and exciting. El Cuarto de Tula is one of my favorite songs of all time. 5/5
I really liked this! I usually gravitate towards music I "get" which this isn't quite. But this is excellent long Sunday afternoon vibes. 4.5 stars; I guess I'll round up because it's very different from other stuff which is a plus.
It's great. John and Lakin said they grew up with this one.
Give me more of this
Really special album. Lovely capsule of a bygone era. Not an every day listen, but there is so much talent in each song. I’m so glad they were able to capture it while these folks were around.
Fun album. Helped me lock in and ignore my clueless and nagging coworker, and that’s worth a 100 stars.
You know what, hell yeah.
Atmospheric and charming album. Had a great time imagining singing along with this gorgeous array of voices in a club somewhere
Hey I love this album! You can't listen to De Camino a La Vereda and not have a smile on. Make that this whole album makes me smile.
When I first heard it I put a 4 with comment “Good Stuff”, but I’ve been returning to this album and it’s really grown on me. I really really like it now
cuban music
Best ever music album ! Note it everywhere!!
Grúví beibí
Frábær plata og frábær saga.
Awesome Cubano album. There is some really beautiful stuff here and it doesn't really feel generic, while remaining easy to identify. The piano work in the title track is so good, I listened to that song repeatedly over the day. Chan Chan, Amor de Loca Juventud, and Pueblo Nuevo were also standouts for me. Probably my go to for latin music now, if I'm rver told to pick a single album in my admittedly narrow experience with it.
Increíble. El son cubano en su máxima expresión. Genios absolutos homenajeando a los genios absolutos que les dieron la música. Un disco que todo mundo debería no solo escuchar, sino tener en su colección.
One of my favorite albums. Nostalgia, childhood.
I need more of this in my life. 5/5
The warmth and richness of this recording is legendary. Each track oozes with flavor and a cohesion that gives a timeless impression. I love Cuban jazz but I've never heard another studio album that compares to this one. Both my favorite world music and jazz album of all time
★★★★★ Favorite tracks: - Chan Chan - ¿Y tú qué has hecho? One of the best things my ex did for me was buy me this CD. I'd be content listening to only this album until the end of time!
An amazing album that has resonated with me for decades.
I vaguely remember this group / album from my high school days, so there was a double dose of nostalgia in listening to this.
Back in 2011, my family and I went to cuba on vacation. While there we saw street vendor selling cds. We were quite fond of the music we'd heard around the place so we decided, why not buy one. It wasn't this album, but it sounds a lot like it, and we played it for every dinner party we hosted since. I love thos kind of music, it's so soulful and nostalgic while also being fun groovy at the same time. This one's a winner guys. Standouts: harder to distinguish the tracks when I listened at work and it's not in my language. Everything stood out.
I have no idea what they are saying, but I like the music and melodies. Apparently my Spanish studies are not going as well as I thought. I’m not sure what to call this other than Jazz/traditional music. I’m really enjoying this album. Looked this band up. It was the Cuban influence I could not put my finger on and I should have known because of the songs we played in jazz band. I know the style. This is the album I don’t know I was looking for. I love this and want more.
Amazing album, definetly happily suprises to hear abit of flamenco music, and some great flamenco music at that. Really great songs, with amazing musicians and great sound.
One of the best albums ever made
So chill and lovely
Ayyyy papi, me gusta. Hola señiors y señiorita. Buena vista social club stept in album klöpp, hypahypa. Vorab info: Hans album na nie ganz glosst aber scho oft mal driklickt und chli gschnupperet. Setup: miguelito isch in lombok am letste abig und dud de albumklöpp uf und gsed das album. Chani mir nöd la entgah und glichzitig hani au kei ziit zums lose. Deshalb download full album demit ichs am morge am flughafe chan lose. Da chömed gfühl uf, zerst mal die 2 bekannte tracks vu de teenie jahre (bierli trinke und chille a de reuss), denn de musikstyl beförderert de miguelito directimento zrug uf Colombia. Wunderschöni ferie mitm lil‘noah, wiemer sofort ready gsi sind für de cumbia und mit vill müeh denn doch au na in reggeaton inecho sind. Uf all fäll gsehn ich eus mit chline schrittlis dezent (mengisch au weniger dezent) zu dem tänzle, vlt na churz ein hand ad hüft und di ander id hand und de parkett ordentlich ihzführe. Au e herzliche fuditätscher an noah würi na gseh zu dere musik ;) Darum gib ich euch vier album mensche e herzliche imaginäre fudi-tätscher, sofern ihr das au gern hätted. Album startet mit drü big times 5* tracks, woni all kenne und liebe. Denn wirds biz ruhiger aber au eifach gmüetlich, gueti tracks. Hani nani kennt. Bi candela denn wieder party vibe, mit dem Cali handmusikinstrument wo mer eifach biz umeschlad, es tönt öppe so „tschö tschö tschö“ oder „dög dög dög“. Witer mit bar gmüdi tracks. Als summary eich gude laune und öpis schöns fürd ohre. All i want for christmas is: sitting in a tropical cafe & listening to this album Es bliebt na ei offnigi frag: chömed die uf züri na mal für un concerto??? 5 kubanischi Zigarre für das Meisterwerk Miguel Last add-on: offical real welcome to maya as an active review person, started with a bang review
aaaayyy papi muuuuy rica da wird am don noahcito grad warm um‘s herz erinnerige chömed ufe wie ich am miguel schlimm de poblado versohlt ha im yatzy und dezue es lauwarms aguila abegschletzt han eis vo dene albe woni scho mehrmals in voller längi glost han und nie gnueg devo becho chan por favor mas musica tropicale y latin y cumbia y gschmeus klare fall vo cinco cucarachas
masterpiece
Excellent vibes.
Wow! This is beautiful, human, romantic, cinematic music. It’s hard not to swoon while listening to it. There is such a potent sensuality all through the tracklist. I didn’t know I enjoyed Cuban music so much. Definitely a must-listen. (#52)
Album #4 - 5/5 Damn, this whole album makes me want to get up and dance. Interesting jazzy detour with "Pueblo Nuevo" (from the Wikipedia, learned this song & "Beuna Vista Social Club" are the two danzón songs, so maybe that's just my least favorite genre featured on this album). I didn't need to understand the lyrics to thoroughly enjoy most songs on this list. Standouts were "Chan Chan," "El Cuarto de Tula," "Dos Gardenias," and "¿Y Tú Qué Has Hecho?" Crazy that this group of musicians got together and busted out this masterpiece in 6 days. Stoked to learn this album became a stage production that's headed to Broadway! I expect it to blow up when it does.
Only Bangers! Vibey vibe.
Love it
Gets better every listen. A perfect album to listen to with a nice Sunday dinner and a few glasses of wine.
This album made me feel so calm and comfortable. I feel like these guys would be so fun to play dominos with. Fav Songs: La Bayamesa, El Cuarto de Tula, Y Tu Que Has Hecho?
One of my all time favourites!
This is luscious music, isn't it?
Wow - a Milestone
Just like the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band before it, it turns out that when you get some of the best musicians in a genre together they make really good music! I've loved Latin guitar music for as long as I can remember, and this is definitely up there with the best of them - I will definitely be adding a few of these to my regular rotation :)
Many years without listening to these songs. My mum used to play it when I was a child and it brought me back there :)
Love it! Kind of old Mexican/Cuban style, a bit lounge a bit romantic.
Iba por el 5, bajó a 4 pero al final dije "lo merecen"
Now I need tickets to Cuba. Loved the vibes.
Buena Vista Social Club - Buena Vista Social Club El álbum es tan bueno, que hasta voy a empezar a escribir en español y no inglés xd. Honestamente, cuando vi que me tocaba escuchar este álbum, no sabes lo emocionado que estaba, ya que era uno que tenía muchas ganas de escuchar. Tenía mis altas expectativas, y cuando lo escucho, no decepciono para nada. Puro temazo sobre temazo sobre temazo. Esto es lo que sucede cuando traes los mejores musicos que latinoamérica ofrece, todos juntos en solo un álbum, obtienes esto como resultado. Hay muy buena música en todos los lados que puedas ir si lo encuentras bien, pero luego existe música como está que es simplemente imposible de replicar, porqué es raro de que puedan hacer un album, así de perfecto. Literalmente, esto es perfecto. 1.- Chan Chan = 10/10 2.- De camino a la vereda = 10/10 3.- El cuarto de Tula = 10/10 4.- Pueblo nuevo = 9/10 5.- Dos gardenias = 10/10 6.- ¿Y tú qué has hecho? = 9/10 7.- Veinte años = 10/10 8.- El carretero = 10/10 9.- Candela = 10/10 10.- Amor de loca juventud = 10/10 11.- Orgullecida = 9/10 12.- Murmullo = 9/10 13.- Buena Vista Social Club = 10/10 14.- La Bayamesa = 9/10 PUNTUACIÓN FINAL = 9.6/10
Excellent
An obvious classic record. Always a great listen, timeless and beyond reproach.
love it
Pour moi, irrésistible dans ses rythmes, mélodies, voix, arrangements. D’une tranquillité inébranlable où la joie de la musique perce
A great album you can play/listen on many occasions!
Loved it! Something really different to what I normally listen to
The story behind the creation of this album is fascinating, and it unsurprisingly resulted in fascinating music. I was truly bummed out when the album ended. An easy 5 stars.
wow this one is unique. certainly not like anything id normally listen to
Feels like vacation in an album :)
Great
Weird but it was kinda really good?
I've heard the album many times. A great sample of Cuban music by a bunch of great musicians. Culturally relevant for significantly increasing the popularity of Cuban music (and indirectly Cuban culture) in American society around the turn of the century.
We saw these guys live several years ago. Good music, good fun!
Made a cold miserable day feel warmer. Chan Chan is an amazing opening track.
It’s the sound of the summer. It’s the putting your feet up round the pool on holiday, pint in hand. It’s a cool breeze on a warm beach. Can’t understand a bloody word they’re saying mind. 5/5
Didn't listen as new Kendrick album dropped so that's getting all my attention but... I absolutely love this album. It was my gateway into world music and its a real jam. Was lucky to see some of the members live and it was a vibe I can tell you.
Phenomenal! Absolutely love this album.
So good. I should go back and watch the documentary if it’s still available somewhere.
Made me feel like I was in Cuba
👌🏻
This album is so good I could throw it on any time and enjoy myself, it can be background music but it also can be the focus. All the different musicians coming together is like a big band feel but so much more fluid and moving. Love it makes me want to salsa
4.6 Soild album. Gets a boost from a core memory growing up. We bought this album for my dad when it came out for christmas one year. He played it non stopped and really loved it and the ry cooder connection. We didnt know what to get him the following year so we just bought the same album again (may have been a deluxe version..) there was nothing wrong with the first copy.
Own it, love it!!!!
FANTASTICO!!!
very fun to listen to. festive cuban music. great background work tunes.
best album, ever
Disco excelente, todo un descubrimiento, sin bien es necesario señalar el imprescindible Semilla del Son (recopilación de Santiago Auserón) publicado en 1991 como el verdadero motor de este disco (que se lo digan a Ry Cooder). Otros antecedentes fueron el sello Luaka Bop de David Byrne pero no al nivel, en ningún caso, de Semilla del Son. Ahora bien, el mérito es, cómo no, de los propios artistas. En este caso, Compay Segundo, Ibrahim Ferrer, Eliades Ochoa u Omara Portuondo y otros muchos. Buena parte de ellos no eran precisamente novatos ni desconocidos. Las canciones, también muchas de ellas son clásicos como Chan Chan o el bolero Dos gardenias. También se publicó Documental (Win Wenders) y gira musical. Contribuyó al auge de la World Music que habían iniciado Peter Gabriel (Real World) o Paul Simon, entre otros. Aquí la (buena) mano la puso Ry Cooder. Sonidos orgánicos, ritmos caribeños, idioma español (letra y lírica)... una gozada para todos los sentidos. Imposible no disfrutar de él, e igualmente escucha obligatoria en cualquier colección. Otros discos de 1997: Radiohead: OK Computer, Spiritualized: Ladies And Gentlemen We’re Floating In Space, The Prodigy: The fat of the land, The Verve: Urban Hymns, Cornershop: When I Was Born For The 7th Time, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds: The Boatman’s Call, Erykah Badu: Baduizm, Wilco: Being There, Portishead: Portishead, Primal Scream: Vanishing Point, Tindersticks: Curtains, Björk: Homogenic, Bob Dylan: Time Out Of Mind, Yo La Tengo: I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One, The Chemical Brothers: Dig Your Own Hole, Belle And Sebastian: If You’re Feeling Sinister, Shleep de Robert Wyatt Teenage Fanclub: Songs From Northern Britain, Mogwai: Young Team, Daft Punk: Homework, Stereolab: Doots And Loops, The Make-Up: Sound Verite, Eels: Beautiful Freak, Erykah Badu: Baduizm, Echo & The Bunnymen: Evergreen, Prefab Sprout: Andromeda heights, Dinoasaur Jr.: Hand It Over, Blur: Blur, Elliott Smith: Either, Or, Janet Jackson: The velvet rope, Smog; Red apple falls, Built to Spill: Perfecto from now on, The Jayhwaks: Sound of lies, Kent: Isola, Ocean Colour Scene: Marchin' already, Paul Weller: Heavy soul, Cotton Maher: Kontiki, Luna: Pup Tent, Foo Fighters: The colour and the shape, Shleep Robert Wyatt... Y también: Spice Girls: Spiceworld, U2: Pop o Aqua: aquarium...
Was ein vibe
An appreciation of life itself.
My distant roots!
This was so much more fun than I thought it would be; and I didn’t think it’d be not fun. The writing is beautiful and original. The lyrics and vocals are gorgeous (though I’m not entirely sure what they’re talking about). The instrumentation and production both complement everything perfectly. The amount of range surprised me given that non english albums typically feel like an amalgamation. Couldn’t be more pleasantly surprised with how well I turned out to enjoy this. 5/5
THIS SHIT IS FUCKING AMAZING SPANISH SONGS ARE THE FUCKING BEST YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
I saw Eliades Ochoa last year - he conjured such a party atmosphere. No loss of playing skill or vocals, despite being very old. Buena Vista Social Club is probably the album that got me interested in Spanish. I had the documentary on VHS, watched it probably once a month at one point. Eliades wandering around an old train yard singing, El Carretero, is burned into my memory. Company Segundo and Ibrahim Ferrer (I even used his name as a password for a bit) definitely stand out on the album. Chan Chan, Dos Gardenias, Candela, Cuarto de Tula, y De Camino A La Vereda were always my favourites. Fantastic.
As heard on repeat in Viva Cuba Leeds. I can taste chorizo when I hear this.
4.5
Un álbum que me gusta mucho por su propia calidad musical y porque provoca la añoranza de una ciudad que supe conocer en dos momentos bien distintos de su historia.
Obra prima
Ngl lubed myself up
Absolutely fantastic. Felt like I was in the islands. Will play
Many of the best musicians in the world are to be found strumming away in dusty bars and concert halls, playing to a handful of local fans. In 1996 Ry Cooder went to Havana to record an album with some musicians from Mali, and for various reasons ending up recording an album of traditional Cuban music with a diverse group of local musicians instead. Everyone involved had a great time and the end result is an absolute joy to listen to. Soncubanotastic!
Nice.
Haven’t listened fully, but will absolutely be returning to it. Great musicianship, really made me feel like I was in downtown Havanna, having a beer in the middle of the afternoon with some great sounds going on around. Loved it.
A classic.
I can't believe I took so long to listen to this. It's so good!
No words needed to this; just enjoy it!
Ry Cooder found a treasure. Not mine, no more than half an hour, but they're great
Fab
Love these tunes.
A great relief after getting Junkyard and Trout Mask Replica back to back. It’s been expressed in other reviews, but please someone get me a cocktail. I could listen to this all day! (And I did, on repeat!)
What an absolutely lovely album that was to listen to
There's magic in this album. Always happy to listen to this one again. Thoroughly enjoyable.
So great.
Man, I just love this style of music so much. The spicy, Spanish flavor is just so good. Every track was very enjoyable and I didn't want it to end, so I played the album through twice. I'd heard Chan Chan before, but the others were new to me and I loved them. Five stars.
I grew up listening to salsa. This is a modern cuban group that keeps it as real as it can get. Doing 40s music and staying clear of progress of the genere. Its world music and has all the jazz, el son, danzon, bolero, salsa and quartet music being released in the late 90. Its like going back in time. Simply an amazing acheivement for modern music.
Absolutely loved this album.
amazing
I enjoyed this so much
It made my day shine
depending on mood
This was such a sensation when the documentary came out. Feels even more beautiful now. What a precious treasure for world culture. So intensely sublime and perfect. Makes me hate every other record on this list. Throw it all away. Music doesn’t get better than this. Infinity/5
Nice! A really fantastic LP
I forget why I picked this album up back in the nineties. Listening to indigenous Cuban music wasn't a thing for me then. I was a full-on grungehead then. Maybe I was having a brief Ry Cooder moment or some such and thought it sounded interesting. From the first notes of "Chan Chan," I was mesmerized. This is simply gorgeous music -- timeless and ethereal. Let yourself just drift and enjoy.
I actually first heard about this the other day and thought it sounded cool but hadn't had a chance to check it out yet. I've wanted to get into Ry Cooder and Cuban music has always appealed to me so this is a great way to start my morning. There's something beautiful and sad in music from this part of the world that captures me. I would love to see this live.
This is one of those albums that I've been meaning to listen to for years but never got around to it. Thanks to this generator for finally making me sit down with Buena Vista Social Club. What an incredible album. In some ways, it shouldn't even exist, given the US embargo of Cuba. Ry Cooder had to travel illegally to bypass this. The original plan for his collaboration was to include musicians from Mali as well. When their visas were denied, they had to recruit some new musicians and rethink the whole project. With so much going against it, you wouldn't expect it to work. But from the very first notes of 'Chan Chan' you can tell this album will be something special. It might be tempting to dismiss the traditional Cuban music on this album as a novelty that you might find in a tourist gift shop. Despite Cooder's involvement, the Cuban musicians dominate here. But this is truly an incredibly produced collection that earned its place as the top selling world music album of all time. Close your eyes and listen and you can imagine being in Havana, surrounded by beautiful people, colorful buildings, and classic cars. Truly a pleasure to hear.
Never heard the whole album before. Awesome.
I may not have understood a word they said, but the great thing about the universal language of music is that you don't need to understand what they are saying to enjoy it. This was easy to listen to, smooth, and just all around enjoyable. I was also able to recognize some melodies from other songs that I have a sneaking suspicion drew inspiration from this. Definitely one I'll be coming back to. This made me wish I was somewhere warm, with a nice breeze, enjoying a nice cervaza and some chips and salsa.
Ry Cooder is an unheralded genius. This foray into Latin music is the soundtrack to a documentary. The documentary is fine but the soundtrack is incredible. The band, frozen in time it seems since US sanctions is a capsule of 50s and 60s Cuban music. 5 stars.
All Cuba's exports will make you happy, and a minority will kill you. This is good for you, like a slow lover, or company of a gentle old friend. Oh the soothing music 30 and 40s Havanna (styles called as son, bolero and danzón) Seriously, so very happy to see this album - I'd been meaning to listen to the album, and see the film (Win Wenders seems to be a singular source to pleasure in my life), ever since it came out. So yes it's taken half my life to sit and listen to this. I do love it, more so as it's so much gentler and softer than expected. Feels pure and classical in styles which makes it even more of a treasure. We are fortunate indeed this musical style was preserved and brought back to life.
loved this.
The Coffee Table album to end all Coffee Table albums back in '97... and for that reason I kinda avoided it. But since then my horizons have been forever expanding. Time to revisit. It's fantastic. It's like the dry dusty earth it comes from - it's just there. It's always been there. Who knows where it came from. This kind of collaboration should be more prevalent - it needs to be encouraged.
4-5 stars
bops
An album to throw on anytime I don’t know what to play
Plátano superior.
I already own this one 😀
I had never listened to this one before this, but I know a masterpiece when I hear it. The language barrier (for me despite 4+ years of Spanish in school) adds to the music in my opinion. There were several moments that stopped me in my tracks while listening: something about the combination of instruments and the synergy of the band is magical at times. It makes me want to visit Havana and listen to it on repeat. A superb album.
a really cool foray into cuban music! i don't know if i ever would have gone out of my way to listen to this album, but i'm glad i did. the album is very passionately played and sung. you can tell that a lot of care went into this. i'm not familiar with the group, but it looks like there is a documentary that is sort of in tandem with this album that i may check out. really cool stuff. although i did enjoy myself, i'm not sure it's an album i would really come back to all the time, but it certainly is an album i enjoyed outside of the scope of the music i normally listen to and i really do appreciate it for that.
Eine der besten Platten der neunziger Jahre
We must be grateful to Ry Cooder for putting this ensemble of Cuban legends together. Chan Chan is by far the best song on an album that would also be a classic if it was not on it.
Niceee want it vinyl
Beautifully soulful.
Excellent album-love the variety of instruments, and tempos. Great vocals. Fantastic listen
The best music transports you to a different world.
Wow - I really loved this album. It's so calming and yet uplifting. Really beautiful melodies and the perfect way to start the day or perfect album to lunch to.
Niks anders dan vijf sterren hiervoor. Zoooo goed
Without some silly coincidences, this album never would have been and with that the sound of a country would have been lost. These amazing musicians and their music would have never been saves for us to enjoy. Amazing album front to back. It’s even better with translated lyrics next to it.
Very cool
Love this album. Can listen to it all day.
It was good ngl . My first Latin Music Album. Big Fan
It's a classic, I love it
Heavy rotation when this came out, such a beautiful soundtrack. Timeless music performed by timeless souls. Sweet nostalgia for our newlywed days of 1997.
A great Classic of charming Cuban music.
Pleasantly surprised with this album. Jazzy cuban music. Favorite track: Candela other picks: Chan Chan, Pueblo Nuevo
Incredibly conceptual..
Great stuff
Classic
Still sounds amazing 👌🏻
Deeelight. For this one the dad wish is cocktails at a beach bar.
I want to give this 10 stars.
Just a classic and very lovely record.
This is so mellow and so good. I hadn't heard it before. Liked songs added: - De Camino a La Varedo - Pueblo Nuevo
cool band and nice kind of instrument
Love this album so much. I have been a fan for years and it always feels fresh.
Damn near perfect album, perfect energy.
Um dos melhores discos, inclusive tenho em vinil
A great way to start the day 4.5 stars
I just love a bit of Latin music. Wish my Spanish was better to understand it lyrically but I’ll get there
Solid.
Simple harmonies, complex instrumentation. A real feeling of location with a breadth of melodies. Amazing album.
For what this is it's near perfect. Cuban rhythm and guitar slaps
Shout out Cubans
tolles Album mit entspanntem Sound, immer wieder gerne gehört!
Hammer! Ein unglaublich cooles Album welches zeigt mit wie wenig Elementen grossartige Musik gemacht werden kann. Alles scheint locker und improvisiert aber super arrangiert.
Magical...Wow, thats why I love 1001. Omg. Easy in my top 10 album here.
Gonna give it a 5 just to contrast the asses for giving it a 1 star. This was sooo amazing in the rain on a wednesday morning. Suddenly the weather wasnt so bad
Muito bom, vlw Guimba 23/04/2024
Love this album. Always a great play when I'm dreaming of warmer climes and beaches.
tonlist
This album is an absolute classic
Felt like I was on holiday lol nice album cool very good very nice
L'un des meilleurs albums de tout les temps.
Easiest 5/5 I've given. Knew it beforehand. It's the best kind of "project" album and one of the greatest albums of all time. In all history. Ever. Documentary is also a must-watch. Getting so many legendary Cuban artist together is a tough task, but telling them to play in modern studio is tougher.
OK this is going to be a review for "In Rainbows" Since i accidentally reviewed this album for my "In rainbows" (Luckily the number of stars are the same). I remember when my friend first told me to listen to "In rainbows" when it was released (must've been around 16 at the time) and I just didn't get it. A few years later I heard Gnarles Barkley's cover of "Reckoner" and gave it another try. What I found was one of my absolute favourite albums of all time. I just really love this album. "Nude" has such a good baseline and vocals, "15 steps" has a great beat to get you hooked on the album, "Reckoner" has one of my favourite guitar riffs ever, Videotape has a weird and interesting beat. It's just a really great record from start to finish. I'm sure also being in your late teens when it was released helps too but still. I've been waiting for this album since I started this, and now 300 albums in it came up only for me to accidentally review the wrong album. Ah well. All in all "In Rainbows" by Radiohead gets an easy 5 star and one of my favourite albums of all time.
One of the best Albums ever
Dig out the CD version of this to listen to it on a proper set up. As splendid as it was back in the day. Not listened for ages and ages - years. But splendid to go back to. Betwixt 4 and 5 stars, but it can have the extra one for not being in English
This album has withstood the test of time. It is as fresh today as it was released.
It's hard to put this experience into words - the songs were so familiar, yet so new. It sounded aged, but the song construction was flawless and timeless. Every song is distinct and range in the feelings they evoke. This is a really impressive album that I'm glad to have discovered through this process, and am excited to continue to throw this on for years to come. (As well as buy on vinyl ASAP) 5/5
Super cool album. I feel like I heard about this one back in the day and wasn’t ready for it. Very old school style and relaxing. Great music!
I feel like I'm being a little fast n loose with my 5s recently - but this is another 5 for me! I remember a friend burnt me a copy of this album in about '99 and I listened to it on repeat for years - it was a big part of my musical journey. Chan Chan is still on high rotation now and will forever be one of the best songs of all time for me - love it, such a good groove and so sexy. Candela is a great track too!
A complete revelation when it came out, it still holds up as a terrific introduction to the Cuban sound.
Gear: Grado Hemp Mix: Brillantemente discreto y, sin embargo, con numerosos detalles. Musik: Simplemente un álbum perfecto para (casi) todas las situaciones. Wertung: ☕☕☕☕☕/5
I listened to this album many times before. One of the great albums that we are lucky to have available
This sounds cool. I like the bongos, and the Cuban sound to it. oooh this is definitely hitting my roots nerve. Not that I'm from Cuba but just that nice latin sound. Oh wow! I'm definitely going to have to keep this in my arsenal for cooking music. I can't believe I never heard of this before. Came out the year I graduated from HS. 5 stars for sure!! Love it!
Clichéd but still a classic and I love it (while also loving Half Man Half Biscuit for mocking those who love it)
No clue what they're saying, but love it. 5/5
вау!
This is a great album a friend introduced me years ago. I've loved BVSC since!
i love this album
Great
This got added to my collection before two songs were even done. What a great album!
Listened to it several times trting to come up with a proper review, but you know, you just gotta hear it. Brilliant folky Latin Jazz, heartfelt, for the love of the music and nothing else. The musical equivalent of a National Park.
Excellent island music
Buena Vista Social Club A soundtrack to a documentary about Cuban music, one would never think this would be such a global phenomenon, yet this soundtrack took over the airwaves. Don't get me wrong, I think it deserves all the praise and awards that it received. I owned this in CD when it came out and listened to it a lot. 5/5
More Cuban than a missile crisis.
If everyone I ever dated owned a CD of Roxy Music's "Avalon" then I would also say the same about this album for everyone I dated since it came out.
Pretty good. Puts me in a good mood.
Holy shit this is amazing.
Fuck that guy who rated this album 1 star because “it’s not in English”.
excellent album! perfect for cooking or cleaning or having friends over.
Margarita
This album is full of life but so relaxing at the same time. The sound of each song is so rich in soul.
Fun, chill, drinking, background music. Really enjoyed.
Great Cuban music group that were recorded for a documentary.
Great album, lots of sounds I wasn't expecting