Buena Vista Social Club

This is an album I always forget to listen to but it's been on my radar for ages. Love this recommend. So good and can't believe I've never taken the time to listen!

Was ok, just not my preferred genre of music.

Pretty good

Did not finish it, but it was interesting. Will definitely go back to it if I want to listen to some Cuban music.

Love the sound

To all of those people who said they don't understand the language, neither do I, but I do understand the music. This music makes you feel alive. It makes me want to grab a beer and get out on the dance floor.

Fantastic tapestry of traditional Latin/Cuban sounds.

The hype was real and it was good. A quintessential modern classic for music that is a lot older, with lots of tradition, but which the listener can find all bought together on this album.

Oh I loved this, just genuinely beautiful.

Little bit hot, little bit sexy

Surprisingly good to work to

Very pleasant, lazy, tropical jazz sound. Laid back, varied and atmospheric. Fantastic background track to an afternoon in the sun with a cocktail, but not something I'd necessarily want to sit and listen to for an extended period. Especially the last few tracks, which take a bit of a nosedive.

Not my style of music, but I could get into the rhythm of it and found myself bobbing along to a bit of it.

Forgot how good this album is

Not the album for a cold wet December morning in Scotland. Nice though

surprisingly good listen

Pretty easy 5 star album for me today, I remember watching some of the documentary too

Fantastic window into Cuban music. 5 stars

Certainly unlike anything I would seek out, but I thought this was solid which probably means it's legitimately good. 3.5

Musically it got me.. I could listen to that guitar all day.. Vocally it get's repetitive, it's almost an after thought.

Enjoyed listening to this record. Excellent musicians, great Latin music. The vocals aren’t always my thing.

This might be the best of this genre, I just couldn't connect with it.

Two reviews in a row where I think Meh is the right term. This might be culturally significant (and probably should be on the list) but I just didn't care listening to it. I didn't care the first time I did when I received it in a VMP subscription, and I don't care this time. It's perfectly pleasant, but not something I like.

Meh it was all Spanish

Not really for me style-wise, but still a fun listen. I put it on and enjoyed the vibes as it played in the background. It did run a bit long and felt like it relied a tad too much on the vibe/cultural pocket at times. That's probably hard to avoid when you put the number of musicians they had together to play music they are passionate about (which is a pretty cool aspect of the record in itself). Comparing it to another Latin Caribbean music album I've gotten on here, Tito Puente's Dance Mania, I preferred Puente's. His grabbed my attention more than BVSC did. I can't say too much bad about the album outside of my personal preference and tastes. If I was more into the style, I'm sure I'd have a better handle on it's quality. As it is, I'll rate it as solidly OK. Overall: 2.6/5

Everything sounded like restaurant background music. It was chill music, but because of that mental association, not in any way an album that touched any of my tastes. Was ready to be over right away

Beautiful. Brightened my day and will easily work its way into my rotation. Just a lovely album created by some lovely musicians.

I'm quite between two sides, first Chan Chan is a masterpiece, one of my favorite song ever, the rest of the album is really great, well produced and got everything that I like, but not that fantastic compare to Chan chan. It's a very high 3, but the all looks a bit like just a folkloric album and not so much modern (like Chan Chan), Cooder's style can be clearly heard in CC and I don't really find it in the rest. But still so enjoyfull to listen this kind of music, it makes me want to be 40 degrees outside with a strong rhum cocktail and beautifull shore landscape

Oh wow, the first time I ever started this project (I’ve done like 3-4 attempts…) this was the first ever album I got. I remember not loving it but let’s give it another go, I’ve opened myself up to way more music AND am studying Spanish. — I want to love it so badly. Maybe I need to give it a few more listens. It’s just not quite what I want it to be, but there are very strong moments. Makes me wanna bake in the sun and not have depression.

Solid. Favorite track: Orgullecida 3.5/5

Honestly, the album left me cold. It basically sounds like the music Desi Arnaz and his orchestra played on I Love Lucy in the 1950s.

It was enjoyable but I'm not sure I would revisit it.

So pleasant to listen to. Makes for just about the best album to put on while cooking that I've had in a long time. I don't know that I can give this a five - just not quite enough variety here - but this is pretty wonderful.

Beautiful album

Not my style, but something different.

I don't know why I was hesitant to start this. Chan Chan is a great start. It sounds like the music that would be playing during a Robert Rodriguez love scene. I know one is Cuban and one is Mexican-American but there are some similarities across Latin music. I'm finding a newfound appreciation for Cuban music. I like this a lot more than I would have expected. This album is great. Amor de Loca Juventud is the Cuban All of Me. Orgullecida is a low point. The back half of the album is not as good.

Giving cuba in the summer Définitely will listen if I go to latam Not my style though

It's good, but not really my vibe. Something id jam to with Bruno and Andy in a road trip though

chill, enjoyable relaxed beat

Classic collection of Latin music. Amazing musicianship. Can get repetitive

Such a fantastic album!

I already know this one well. 5/5 no need to listen but I will

I remember when it seemed like the whole world was crazy for BVSC. Tours etc. I bet they were phenomenal live. Not really my thing. Especially at album length.

Love it.

Transported me to a nice island beach.

Great album!

So good, some songs on here I’m not going to stop thinking about for a while.

Enjoyed having something different from the usual 80s synt pop/90s Brit pop. This list needs more like this.

This is so much fun and so entertaining. I really enjoyed this album. This style of music is so enjoyable to me. Solid 3.5 Liked Songs: "Chan Chan" , "De Camino a la Vereda" , "El Cuarto de Tula" , "Dos Gardenias" , "Y tú qué has hecho" , "Candela" , "Amor de Loca Juventud" , "Orgullecida"

Very good 3.75

liked this, good study music

I liked this. The guitar work was impressive. And the overall sound was enjoyable.

Hispanic Grammy music, very calm, very light, would listen again.

This would have been a 4 if I was better at Spanish, just because I couldnt really get much from the lyrics, I am sure they are great. I enjoyed this very much musically though.

Fantastico tico-tico! 5/5

Jazzimpaa tavaraa Kuubasta! Erinomaista oleskelumusiikkia 4/5

Classic must listen

Cracking opening track, talented musicians. Bored the pants off me

I kind of dug this. Yeah, the fact that it is Spanish means that I don't understand a lot of what they are saying (ok, most of it), but that doesn't take away from the excellent musicality / playing that is on display and the general feel of the album. Worth a listen

Hell yeah

I listened to this album and suddenly I had a PBS tote bag appear in my hand.

I recognize the beauty here but I have to really be in the right mood to enjoy it.

3.5 stars Possibly worthy of a higher score, but this is something that was pleasant yet i don’t have a frame of reference of what to compare it to or how to rate it. I liked it and will return to it when the mood is right or as background music for busy work, but I’m not sure how much better it is than that impression for me.

One good song and they blew it in the trailer for the movie

I’ve listened to this album probably a million times!

Wonderful album that is a pleasure to listen to. Excellent piano playing which i hadn't noticed before. I particularly like the version of Dos Gardenias. I do wonder whether this album is remarkable or only got the traction it did because it was initiated by a famous American. I was interested to hear that Ry Cooder was fined $25k for violating the trade embargo imposed by the US by working on this album.

Remember when this came out and topped the album charts. Also recognize some songs and the vibes are generally really positive and fun. Would not listen to voluntarily though.

Nice little vibe to it at times but a bit boring and wouldn’t go back and listen again.

Managed the first 8 and quit. not sure when one finished and the other started. Nice Spanish south American vibes but very very repetitive.

Chill viby mix for perhaps a Sunday morning playlist.

Not a club I'm a member of

If you worked in a bookstore from 1997-2007 or have a partner who has, you may be entitled to compensation from the Buena Vista Social Club. Outside of that, this is still a great record that makes me smile and sway every time I hear it.

It has the intimate, casual quality of an epic jam session among elder master craftsmen, and Ry Cooder was smart enough to mostly get out of the way and not try to overproduce anything. The musicianship is stellar and the album, filled with propulsive rhythms, is a wonderful listen.

a good listen but not really my thing.

I'm sure it's great I'm from Missouri and never been to Miami so can you blame for not exactly being drawn to this music style. Maybe I should start with viewing the doc film and getting some framed reference points and gain commonality through the characters and stories

hatırlamıyom zaman geçti ama kötü değildi

My favorite music genre, hard not to like this one

Beautiful

Fabulous

Very smooth, relaxing.

File this under If I had a Tequila Bar this would be on heavy rotation. Fun vibey album but a bit of a one trick pony.

Soothing Cuban jazz that was the hottest thing in the whole world for a hot minute due to the popular documentary. Its good, but nothing particularly stands out for me, is just good background music.

What a vibe

I hadn't heard for Buena Vista Social Club before, so this was a nice surprise. Really smooth, relaxing music. Makes me want to be spending my evening on the terrace, wine in hand while a warm breeze blows. Dos Gardenias was a favorite song.

Probably the most interesting one yet. Really fits my vibe.

Moving music that reaches each limb through the heart

This album did exactly what it intended: it introduced Cuban music to a world that had forgotten, or never heard, it. And the world is better for it. Also, to the person who gave this 1-star because it's "not in English", I hope you lose your ability to speak and hear. You've been wasting those gifts.

While not the type of music I'd normally listen to it is really well played and recorded. Chan Chan is the outstanding track.

Sort of music you really want to dance to

Not for me I'm afraid

It's -6 outside, this music is on, and all I can think about is summer, Cuba, and a proper getaway.

This album summoned idyllic images of sitting at a shaded table in a charming town square sipping a refreshing alcoholic beverage as I listened to this band while watching couples dance. Great stuff and a lovely, enjoyable listen.

The music wasn't so bad, I was mostly just really bored and had to convince myself to not switch to something else. Standouts - 2/5

solid, another one i kinda recognise

Classic. Favorite.

Love this album, it’s in my collection - good to hear again- ace

My introduction to BVSC was the release of the live at Carnegie Hall record in the late 00s. At the time, I didn’t even know an earlier studio record existed, but I embraced the Carnegie Hall album completely (I even own the vinyl). It wasn’t until humiliatingly recently - like two weeks ago - that I fully realized this album existed and listened to it for the first time. Obviously I'm a fan of BVSC and this album. There’s a little bit of magic in the live album that you don’t get here, but the studio clarity creates a richer mix of every musician’s contributions. Some of the compositions, like “Pueblo Nuevo”, seem built for a in-person jam and don't play so well in a studio recording. I'll also note (as others have) that the album seems to get tired as it goes on. It starts very energetic, and then slows down into ballads and piano tracks that don't bring the same energy. The live album seems to carry its energy longer so, I guess, just know your mood before choosing an adventure.

I did not like this. It was not for me.

Need some cha fha heels to dance around my living room for this one. Beautiful music of fabulous instrumentation and rhythms. I don't speak a bit if Spanish, but the tracks sound very upbeat without translation. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Liked it a whole lot.

This was fine. Nice background music. Listened before? N Saved to library? N Favorite track(s): N/A ⭐⭐⭐: Liked it.

I liked this a lot on a sunny Sunday. A little long to be a 5.

Really good

Solid laid back Latino music for background or foreground, but lacking anything of note to make me choose this over others of the same genre.

Fun, happy music. Maybe it's not, but I don't speak Spanish. 3.5* rounding up.

"Not in English." Y'know, I was always gonna hate that review — and I mean truly despise it. Even before I knew it was real! I honestly thought it was something the top-rated review had made up, but nope! There it is! And highly rated itself! And if I can be perfectly blunt, a "review" like that honestly sort of disgusts me. If you're gonna give an album 1 (any album, not just this one) solely for the fact that it's in a different language with yours ... well, look in the mirror: you've found someone with an opinion not worth listening to. And that dislike of my review only deepened the further I got into the album. I mean, I'll admit that at the top I was expecting to tire of this thing rather quickly. It's 60 minutes of Cuban music, and I'd decided to take it all in one shot. No matter how good the music would be, I figured I'd tire myself out on it before too long, and I'd have to write a review admitting as such. I tell you: I put this on when I started doing dishes, and it surprised me to sit down after I was done and discover that I was only three songs in. And I had 11 left to go! Goodness. That's likely how it would have gone — if, on a lark, I hadn't looked up the album on Discogs. I guess I was curious to see what all of the art surrounding the album looked like ... and that's when I discovered that the liner notes were scanned in full. This is where things really started to get interesting for me, because the liner notes contained write-ups for each and every song, briefly going over their histories **and** providing a little background on the various artists that perform on this thing. That's pretty! But only that, it also has the lyrics for each song — with an accompanying English translation right next to them! And footnotes to explain some of the cultural references that a dumb Canadian like me wouldn't get! Hey, "not in English" guy, maybe if you'd known about this...! 'Coz I gotta tell you, while I think I always would've liked this album, reading the write-ups and translations alongside each song **heavily** elevated the experience. Before, I would've just been a tourist, admiring on a surface level how pretty Cuba looks. But with these liner notes ... I'm still a tourist, sure, but dang it, I get to **appreciate** a bit better what's going on here! It helped the time fly by as I got to take in each and every song on a level I would not have been able to otherwise, and I never **once** got tired of it. I suppose it shouldn't be too surprising to learn that actually knowing a bit or two of the cultural context would help, and even if I could never probably understand it the way Cubans do ... dang it, I understand it enough to love it. It's just a fun as hell album, with great performances all around. Great singers, great guitars, great pianos, great horns ... great everything, honestly. When it ended, I was honestly a little sad. Like, what do you **mean** the party's over? I could keep going! And I maybe just might will. I just can't recall the last time I loved a piece of world music as much as this, but goodness, I do. And I could go on, but I think it's an experience you just need to have for yourself. Go find the liner notes, put this thing on, and just have a good ol' time. As a crash course in Cuban music, I don't think you could find anything better. And to the people of the world who would throw this stuff in the trash because it's not in English — I don't exactly feel sorry that we who **can** appreciate it don't have to share it with you losers. Sucks to be y'all!

Very Cuban. Very Good. 4.5 bumped up to 5.

I’m at a 5. I don’t have that much to say, thankfully. I’d heard of “Buena Vista Social Club” as a title before listening to this, but I’d never heard the album or really knew what it was all about. It’s just a revival of the Cuban music of the 1940s, done with modern instrumentation & made by Cuban locals with a passion for the craft. Their love for this, and their genuine desire to share it with the world, clearly comes through on this album, and their energy is infectious. There’s a quote from a Guardian article, cited for an essay noting this album’s inclusion into the Library of Congress, calling this “the album that collapsed the cold war wall between Cuba and the west”. That feels like a pretty apt description. There is one minor critique I have, but it’s probably related to how Cuban songs / “classical standards” were just composed back then – I just think there’s a bit of repetition on a number of tracks. It didn’t bite me too badly, but “El carretero” was the one that got me the most, given that it’s just a slower track in general. Given that the soundscapes & the vocal harmonies (as well as the lyrical storytelling, to a degree) are the focal points of the album, it’s a very minor critique, but one that doesn’t matter that much in the long run. I do wish there were a few more fast-tempo tracks, but that’s just my own tastes speaking. Overall, it’s just a delightful album, and worthy of all the name-brand praise it gets. It’s maybe a little long at an hour, but given that I was up and moving when the time called for it, as well as sitting & vibing when the mood called for it, I’d say they did a great job of keeping me along for the ride, and capturing the emotions they wanted to on each track. I really enjoyed it, and I think it’s an easy 5. Thank goodness it’s on the list.

A little bit too boring. I mean, lots of songs didn't even have any words. The slow, calming atmosphere worked for maybe three songs and then got really tedious really fast.

Boss album listening to this all the time when its summer and swimming in pool 😈😈😈

4/5 Peak Cuban music

Veeery good music, chan chan a claaassic, the whole album just makes me wanna dance.

Liked it alot. Definitely more my style.

- I sort of like a handful of the songs on here, but I don’t really get the hype. It feels busy and repetitive and the vocals often too thin with no texture and variation, and I don’t love hearing a group of people singing the same thing with no harmony. - I’m not into the timbre of the main singer’s voice in most of the songs at the beginning of the album. It’s just kind of thin, not super warm, especially in the higher registers, and doesn’t vary much at all. It feels more like speaking than singing, but without an interesting speaking voice to carry it. - My highlights are Chan Chan, Murmulla, the title track (but wish it was half as long), Dos Gardenios, and Y Tu Que Has Hecho and Amor de Loca Juventud, which were more chill and smooth, and this guy’s voice is sooo much more enjoyable to me - a deeper, warmer, smoother sound. - The musicians are good instrumentalists. - I read that this was done in a few days, and it feels like it to me - ideas that are formulaic and not fully explored or particularly memorable. So, it’s like an improv album… which I guess is quintessential live jazz. But, jazz just doesn’t do it for me - it just feels like an intellectual exercise that doesn’t take me anywhere emotionally, and I don’t want that from music I’m listening to.

Nice listening but I won't listen to it again

I like the feeling. It was joyful and peppy. It was in Spanish but that was okay. The instruments were so good.

Прекрасный образец латиноамериканской музыки, обязательно возьму на заметку. Но все же слушать целиком довольно скучновато. Поэтому все же 3, а не 4

Outstanding! How have I not been exposed to this music? Love it.

This was pretty cool and mellow and relaxing.

Reminds me of working in Starbucks. Pretty sure they actually had this cd

The guy who gave this a 1 for not being in English and everyone that upvoted it should be sentenced to listening to this for the rest of their lives.

Weltklasse.

3.6

Latin class of working people... I don't know what to say, I just feel it

Fun! I don’t listen to music like this often but I definitely enjoy it. I have to add this album into my rotation.

I loved this album. It felt nostalgic to my time in Latin America. I appreciated how every track felt different from the last. My biggest complaint is that every track was too long. Rather than leaving me wanted more, I would wish it were over a couple minutes before the end because of how repetitive each song was. Maybe it's the Gen Z brain and I just needed done Subway Surfer's. I really want to rate this higher, but I can't quite find the justification for it.

This was fun at times and boring at others. This album showcases a style of music that is not played much where I am from, but definitely has value. The singing was really good. There just isn't much that sticks out here. I appreciate this album for existing, but I wouldn't listen on my spare time.

Brings out my inner hipster

Un 4.5 redondeado

119 Creo que la misma época en la que estuvimos obsesionados con Gotan Project, también lo estuvimos con Buena Vista Social Club. Me gusta, pero no lo encuentro excepcionalmente bueno. Es como buena música para comer con amigos. Le voy a poner un 4 porque ya veo que hay gente que no lo escuchó por ser música en español :D

The old timers showing how it's done. A mix of love and pain that only can be played with love.

Very happy music, sounds exactly like what I’d expect from a latin album

Great album, right away I remembered hearing the first song before and it really set the mood for the rest. The songs are great with excellent vocals and music. Sort of Cuban sounding beats. I'm not sure what they are saying due to my Spanish being remedial at best, but you don't need to know what they are saying to be able to enjoy the sounds. Like I said, it's great, I really enjoyed it and will be listening to it again.

I found it kinda boring, but that's only since it's not my taste in music. But it's very chill and soft and kind of sounds like at a restaurant. If you like that vibe I would definitely recommend. Would I listen to it again? No

Need to sit with it a bit more. But like that it is a different genre than the ones I've been getting.

What an amazing album. It's many years since I listened to it start to finish. I was waiting for the tracks I didn't like - but I didn't hear them! My tastes must have changed over the intervening years. An easy five here.

10/10

The musicianship here is clearly high-quality: relaxed, economical, flowing. But the songs don't move me a lot. Maybe you have to be in a café in Cuba -- or have the memory of it -- to really appreciate this.

transportive and vibey

yes, Cuba!

Amazing

Lovely

Fun Spanish vibes but not doing much otherwise

13/1089 хороший, ненапрягающий альбом, сразу ощущается лето при прослушивании, кинематографичность под конец, правда, становится немного скучно, но скорее это дело в жанре

вайбово прикольно весело бар стакан рома жара денс йоу

I really like the brooding menace of Chan Chan - and have heard this track a lot over the years. The rest of the album is a bit more forgettable although a pleasant listen.

Dinner party background music. Like the story of how they formed. Nice music to have on in the background and feel somewhat sophisticated.

Not into Latin

Really great, mellow vibes. Loved the first song the most I think, but super strong album.

Pretty catchy, probably would rate higher if I understood the lyrics.

just makes me so happy

Listening to this and watching the documentary instead of doing my coursework This album is really great The documentary is cool

One of the greatest albums of this genre

Entschleunigung für die Ohren. Sehr angenehm. Mir auf Albumlänge dann etwas zu viel bzw. 5 Songs hätten es auch getan.

Nein.

Faszinierende Platte, die mich schon sehr lange begleitet. Auch krass, dass die damals einfach Platz 1 der deutschen Album-Charts war. Also definitiv kein Geheimtipp mehr. Ändert aber nix an der unglaublichen Qualität dieses Albums. Kann auch sehr die gleichnamige Doku von Wim Wenders zur Entstehung dieser Platte empfehlen.

Sehr gemütliches Album, gefällt!

Richtiger Banger

Evergreen. Guter feel good Sound.

Der Erfolg in allen Ehren, aber das ist das lateinamerikanische Pendant zur Volksmusik. Und auch ungefähr genauso spannend...

Irgendwie hat mich das komplett in seinen Bann gezogen. Fällt etwas lang aus, aber trotzdem wirklich stark

Love this.

Pretty decent, but nothing too special honestly

A lovely album, and important for introducing this form of Cuban music to a wider audience; a bit soporific after a while.

Ach wie schön

Meh

Det va gøy. Æ tror jo æ har hørt det her før sjøl om æ ikke har hørt på selve albumet med vilje, men det har liksom dukka opp og vært bakgrunnsmusikk og den slags, og det e lettlikt, så æ skjønne godt at det blei en suksess.

Incredible! This music brings me so much joy. Perfect for listening, reading, cooking. This is a classic album that will stay in my rotation forever. Wonderful!

Not really my taste, but it was good and a lovely soundtrack to my walk.

1. Chan Chan - 11 Lyrically fantastic, the guitars set such a brilliant pace you can't help but feel soothed by the incredible sound on this track. Absolutely amazing track. 2. De Camino a la Vereda - 6 It's okay. The beat and pace is good and the lyrics are alright but it's not nearly as fun a song as Chan Chan. 3. El Cuarto de Tula - 8 It's a good song but it goes on a little too long for my liking. I feel like around the four and a half minute mark when the song tends to mellow out would be a brilliant point to just fade the track out. Still, it's a good sound and the trumpet is superb on it. 4. Pueblo Nuevo - 3 It's just the piano for a long time and it keeps out of key. Not a very enjoyable an instrumental track. 5. Dos Gardenias - 5 Decent slower track. Vocals are really good on it but it's nothing that's going to blow you away. 6. ¿Y Tú Qué Has Hecho? - 4 It's a bit of a lullaby. The instruments sound excellent but vocally it's so low in pitch it could really descend you into sleep. 7. Veinte Años - 5 It's okay. Another slower track but this time the vocals are better than the previous track. Nothing huge but nothing bad. 8. El Carretero - 6 Decent track with some brilliant guitar play in it. Vocals are solid too and very very catchy. 9. Candela - 10 Really fun track. You will find yourself easily dancing and moving to this track. It has an amazing collection of sounds and vocals on it that make it insanely fun to groove to. 10. Amor de Loca Juventud - 7 Very good track. It is perfectly balanced between the vocals and the instruments, which are given a lovely amount of space to take over the track until the next verse. 11. Orgullecida - 4 It's an average track with some good trumpet sound on it but it's nothing exceptional and it's a bit of a pass over track on the album. 12. Murmullo - 3 The track eventually just descends into humming. It's not anything great to begin with. Piano on it is nice however. 13. Buena Vista Social Club - 5 Good instrumental track. 14. La Bayamesa - 4 Okay track to end the album. Bit slower and sounds like a funeral track instead of the rest of the upbeat stuff that's been on the album. Average Rating: 5.79 Adjusted to 5-Point Scale: 2.89 Rounded Up: 3 Stars

So chill - really like this.

This one has had several spins on my record player. Why not one more!? The album changes vibes halfway through. It's a nice Cuban sound throughout. I love it. 4

This album is awesome and all the musicians are killers. I like the old school style recording. The one mic in a room style sound took me back to when my dad would direct a symphonic band during rehearsals and one of the songs played was by Perez Prado. Ibrahim Ferrer is like a Cuban Nat King Cole. So many of the other musicians on this album went on to have solo albums and I'm glad. The documentary is great also.

Another relaxing album

Surprisingly a vibe

As one half of the British -Cuban mega group Houmous & Chutney I can really appreciate Buena Vista. We met them when we were holidaying in Havana in October 1962. Lovely lads. 3.2 1/14 Chan Chan

7/10

Enjoyed my listen through this. Can hear its influence on plenty of music that has come since. Love the piano and percussion.

So fun

*1997. Cuban. *Fun, upbeat album. Feels like a Latin American party. RATING - 6.5/10

Ayayay

I don't understand Spanish, but I didn't need to in order to feel the spirit of the music. That's been my favorite thing about this project: listening to albums that are in languages other than mine but understanding completely via the universal language of music. 4 stars.

Not sure I can rate this a 4/5 simply because I unfortunately don't understand Spanish, or really have any frame of reference for it. I loved the melodies, especially the longer instrumental tracks. Some of those will definitely be on my study music lists.

Fascinerende origin story, en daarmee ook een fascinerend debuutalbum. Ik ken slechts enkele huis, tuin en keuken woorden in het Spaans, waardoor het algehele verhaal aan me voorbij gaat. Maar vakmanschap als dit spreekt tot de muzikale ziel, en je hebt geen Spaans woordenboek nodig om daarmee te levelen. Nogmaals, niet echt je typische storm Benjamin-muziek, maar toch verrassend genoeg wel een warm dekentje zo op herfstavond. 8,5/10 Highlights: Chan Chan (verveelt vreemd genoeg nooit helemaal) De Camino a la Vereda El Cuarto de Tula Candela Amor de Loca Juventud

Tuurlijk, je kunt je afvragen waarom er een Amerikaan nodig was om deze muziek mainstream populair te maken. Maar ik vind het wel gewoon een prachtplaat. Naast dat deze vroeger vaak bij ons thuis werd gedraaid waan je je door de muziek echt in de straten van Havana. Niet veel genres slagen er zo goed in om een cultuur/straatleven zo goed te vangen. Naast de klassiekers vind ik het rustige gitaarspel echt heerlijk. Prima om in een ochtendzonnetje bij op te starten. 8,5/10 Highlights Chan Chan El Cuarta de Tula Amor de Loca Juventud

it's all perfectly charming, but it just feels weirdly cliched these days. There’s something ’middle-class-coffee-table-book’ about the whole thing - for a while in the late 90s this stuff was everywhere which, although initially interesting, ended up rendering it all a bit boring. Harmless background music, at best.

Off the cuff remark: I haven't seen the film, know little of the story behind this and my Spanish is nothing like good enough to understand what they are singing about but there seems to be something universally warming and heartfelt about this. It is an album I have had for a long time and a film on the "must watch" list - for waaay too long - decades? Standout track: Chan Chan sets the mood and the flavour, El cuarto De Tula has all the right ingredients Revisit?: I do often revisit for something warm and uplifting, on a cold day it is warming on a warm day it is fitting.

Cool, Cuban not a ton of replayability for me

It would've been a 5 if I had a canchanchara in my hand

Perfectly good music but it faded into my background. Worth a close listen and a welcome departure from my norm.

I’m almost nostalgic for a life I never experienced

Smooth, relaxed, technically impressive. 5

An utter classic cuban music album. Style and soul, beautiful and chill. My Dad's favorite album of the 1990's, and I get why.

Unfortunately I’m not a Hispanic speaker so I can’t really judge this albums lyrical quality, so I’ll be judging it based on sheerly how it sounds. This album to me is probably the perfect thing to put on while eating dinner for example. It’s great background music and really gives me the feeling I’m in a small jazz club. I can’t really say much more, it’s good but not great.

I appreciate the musicianship, but its not for me.

Je pensais ne pas connaître du tout cet album, mais je me suis rendue compte en l’écoutant que plusieurs chansons m’étaient familières!

Yep, this is Spanish music. It's solid and it's not something I'd ever really listen to but I can feel that passion in every note.

Pleasant little Friday listen.

Love this album. Feels like little Havana in Miami.

I’ve always really loved this album

Fantastic music.

Pretty great chill album to have in the background

Certainly what i'd normally listen to, but something I just put on in the background and enjoyed.

Nice working music

Never thought I would listen something like this until the end with smile on my face.

Very nice and mellow

It's fine. I don't speak Spanish and don't particularly care for cubano music, so it's just ok. Probably won't return to it. They do appear to be talented musicians, and I'm sure one who is more into this style will appreciate it, but it's not for me.

helt greit narcos-musikk.

A very interesting listen.

I once was invited to an all girl party to watch episodes of the Bachelor. I didn’t know what anyone was talking about the whole time. But the energy was infectious and I enjoyed myself. That’s pretty much this album.

I had heard OF this group (and album too, I guess?) but knew very little about them. Not a genre I have much experience with - reminds me of when I used to play Tropico on the PC about 20 years ago. It was cool to see that Ry Cooder was involved with this. His name seems to come up a lot when I'm reading about things I like. I tend to focus on lyrics more than some listeners, and so it is tough for me to really and fully love music with lyrics in a language I don't speak or understand, but I do like the sound of this album. It is pleasant.

I wanna live in a place where its warm and people play this music every evening in a bar

This was great.

my fav mood maker album!! I love the voice of ibrahim ferrer and the unity that you feel in the sound, as if some close friends jam

good music to work to. little too long but i enjoyed it quite a bit

Fun album. Can't say anything bad about it so it gets a three!

This was instantly familiar and I couldn't place why until I realised it was a Cuban band, and I suddenly realised it was very similar to the Tropico 4 soundtrack, which is a game I played for about 40 hours 10 years ago. That seems like a shitty thing to leave on a review, but it's just that this album evoked such a blast of nostalgia that it became difficult to actually listen to it on its own terms. At the very least, I enjoyed myself.

I gave it a go, I really did. But somewhere along the line, my ears quietly packed their bags and left the room. The musicianship? Impeccable. The vibe? Sunny and nostalgic. Me? Checking how many tracks were left like I was stuck in a salsa-themed escape room.

3.0

Good but I don't get the hype

Gostei

Brroke my front tooth today and the nerve is exposed. It's so painful and may well get infected. I have a five day wait for the dentist. Some music, blah blah. Cuba, arrrghh my tooth ! Pain.. fuck off..militant Taylor Swift fans scare me more than a nuclear Iran..I am incoherent..my tooth..fuck off Prog Rock...whatever.. bollocks...I'll have to soak myself in gin until Thursday (Its Saturday)... where did all these bats come from !

She stayed with me until she moved to Notting Hill She said it was the place she needs to be Where the cocaine is fair trade, and frequently displayed Is the Buena Vista Social Club CD (It's pretty good)

This had cool white people in such a chokehold when it came out. Still sounds perfectly pleasant.

Took a while for me to latch onto something but I ended up enjoying this one. I could be wrong but this sounds a bit older than it is, not in a bad way though. I liked the rhythm section of “Dos Gardenias” and “Veinte Años” a lot. Really really loved the slide guitar on “Orgullecida” quite a bit. “Murmullo” is easily my pick from this album. Love the swaying, easy instrumental - it’s like taking a nap in the sunshine. Because it ended on a stronger note I’ll go 3/5 on this one

An old fave. You could never make me hate this album.

Appreciate they’re playing actual instruments but really only good for food cooking at home or in the kitchen at work. Enjoyed it

Only wish it wasn't 50 degrees outside while listening to this one, if it were humid and 90 degrees I have a feeling this would've been an easy 5. For an album full of versatility in its jazzy sound it really blends together. Now where's my CERVEZA CRISTAAAAL

Pleasant sounds in a language I don't understand... I guess I can die now that I've heard this album

Becoming more of a fan of Latin jazz/bossa nova every listen! Excited to hear more stuff like this 🙌

Good songs and rythym

Not my cup of tea and I've been to Cuba too.

Like this album, but not an every day listen

wim wenders has a movie on this. needs to watch it. didnt get anything but good listen while working on something

Not familiar with Cuban music. This is very cool. Good vibes.

It’s music made by people who’ve lived entire lifetimes, and you can hear every heartbreak and dance step in the cracks of their voices. Rating: 5/5 Short Review: History, melody, and soul all smoking the same cigar. Favorite Track: “Chan Chan” — it doesn’t play; it sways.

Cafe music

What a lovely album.

super

Loved it. Started out a little slow but really got going.

Close your eyes. You’re at a Mexican restaurant. Imagine the ambiance, the smells, the sounds, the condensation beading off of your margarita or Dos Equis, with chips and salsa in front of you. Now open your eyes. All that’s left is the music. That’s what listening to this album is like. Honestly it was fine. Probably meaningful to someone out there.

Very talented musicians and I appreciated the mariachi jazz fusion with a touch of ragtime, but ultimately, I dont think it's the kind of music I'd come back to

The first half was better than the second. But this was great.

I like it

Very good but more background music.

One of the greatest collections of music.

Lovely collection of Cuban music puts you in the heart of Havana. Some great rhythms, melodies and aged vocals with beautiful authentic production work by Ry Cooder to capture the live feel. An atmospheric and emotional album that's well worth a listen.

Smooth summer vibes, spanish vocals and good feels. Easy 5/5

Undisputedly skilled but not my favourite genre.

So fun to revisit this one

It is a nice album, fun melodies, many good songs, not one is boring. I would gladly listen to it again. Would rate it 3,5 if I could.

Actually great

Surprisingly enjoyable. Would've probably got 4 stars if I listened to this sat by the pool with a cocktail. Chan Chan and El Cuarto De Tula the highlights.

..

Balanced instruments. Great vocals.

(79/100)

Not too bad for a walk around the circle

Yihaaaaaaaaaaas

Two songs is all I could endure. Not for me.

I really liked this. This is the best-selling "world music" album of all time. I recognized some of the songs but I think the most special and iconic one is the first one. Still enjoyed the ride though, all the way through.

An all-star album, every time

Such pure joy to hear these guys make music.

a beautiful time. will revisit. will look for this on vinyl

This album has gotten many, many people in to Cuban and Latin music more broadly. Thanks to the Brit and American who went out to record this and bring it to a wider audience. Ibrahim Ferrer, Ruben Gonzalez and co are incredible. Could listen to at any moment and feel great!

Ah remember this album (and the documentary) from being a kid. Curious to see how it lands with my adult ear! Instantly transported back with ‘Chan Chan’ such a great sound and enjoyable listen. Can’t help but move my body to it. So wholesome and joyful and warming. Was just getting ready for a change up and 4th track came at just the right time. A wonderful change in timbre and feel that adds a wonderful variety of flow throughout this great album. After the strong start, and being ready for a comedown, now ready for it to pick up again and begins perfectly with ‘Candela.’ We are in synch! It is such a pleasant and beautifully constructed album. Maybe could have done with a little touch more of opening 2 tracks energy or a few less tracks, but, let’s not get carried away. ¡Estupendo!

Hell yeah.

fun

First artist I had never heard of. The backstory is really interesting. The album itself I enjoyed but it wasn’t amazing but pretty good.

A stunning document and a bountiful assemblage of Afro-Cuban traditions, Buena Vista Social Club has become a standard - perhaps the classic - of world music. This ought to make any consumer hesitate since white-only determinations of what's essential to other cultures seldom hit. But w/ this particular recording, it feels wrong to politicize: the songs and the musicianship are simply too good to take up what may or may not be valid ethical points. And while no one should consider themselves some sort of expert in the danzón having heard it, they can still be moved by its luxurious rhythms, the clarity and vigor of the piano parts, the way the trumpet punctuates the scene, and just how haunting the whole thing is.

That was fun to listen to. I feel like it isn't a style of music I really know how to critique or truly appreciate but it felt as good an example of the genre as I could imagine

I'm no expert, bit this seems like a perfect example of Latin jazz. I enjoyed the listen, it sounded great, I'll probably listen again.

My life is a lie. apparently the version of chan chan that I remember is a remix. Which explains why I thought this would have more pep in it's step. Not bad by any margin, but different than my expectations.

Why do I feel drunk from listening to this.. the album was a little too long but apart from that, good chilled record

Not bad, it's that classic Latin music. So easy listen, but it didn't wow me.

i liked it great vibe. we had jesus aguaje ramos at our venue back in july and i missed it and now i'm sad i did. 7/10

Pleasant, but nothing standout (aside from the title track - love the spooky instrument there, and great piano playing).

Weltmusik aus Havanna. Perfekt produziert. Authentisch.

I loveee this album, these chill, vibey beats and I love the way he sings

3.5

It was certainly nice background music for while I was working.

What a groovy opening song. The rest of them were also veryv nice. I listened to it as backfround. Nice.

Cool album in a language I don't know. Still good. Love the latin sound.

Inte min grej och inte på humör.

Upbeat, pleasant Cuban music. Bossa nova style. Enjoyable listen. Nice to have on in the background. I enjoyed pretty much every song on the album. Would I seek this out for casual listening? No, it’s not in my preferred genres, but I do think it’s worth listening to and enjoying.

Fun listen!

Buena Vista Social Club is a nice relaxing summer day with an ice cold lemonade in your hand, but I think the backstory of this album may be more interesting then the music itself. I do not want to discredit any of the artists involved with this project as they all absolutely kill it with their craft but I think the music as a whole isn't the most engaging or entertaining. I feel like suits itself better as background music to a walk through a historic oldtown. I don't see myself coming back to this project anytime soon as it really doesn't mix well with anything other then walking around.

An easy listen, although I didn't understand the lyrics. Very soothing.

First track has the most diverse production so far, I feel like I've heard all these songs in every ethnic restaurant I've ever been too. Not understanding the lyrics really has you lean on the rhythms and instrumentation, which is great, but really makes you realize how much you lean on the lyrics to tell songs apart in even my most favorite styles. Also, when it finished and went into similar artists, I never noticed.

The opening track alone might be worth four stars. A joyous listen and proof that one not speak the singers’ language to love their songs.

Que álbum maravilhoso!! QoA Vesper.

Nice

I remember this album coming out while I was working at Indigo in Scarborough Town Centre, and it was often played in the background during shifts. I think that's why I never took it seriously. It was introduced to me as retail background ambience.

eh

Highlight Song/s: Chan Chan, De Camino a la Verda, Orgullecida and Murmullo This album has an absolutely killer atmosphere, literally second-to-none. Just that killer. I think it's because of it being sombre in parts, a bit bittersweet-sounding and the passionate singing. Now, I'm not sure if that's something that's just specific to this album or if it's just the Latin sound or the specific sub-genre. But I dig it hard. My only gripe is that it goes on for just a bit TOO long, it would've been great if it was a 45m long album. Though I do get that album length is an artistic choice, I just can't help but feel that way.

Das Album Buena Vista Social Club entstand 1996 in den EGREM-Studios in Havanna. Produzent Ry Cooder brachte erfahrene kubanische Musikerinnen und Musiker zusammen, viele von ihnen hatten ihre Karriere bereits in den 1940er- und 1950er-Jahren begonnen. Die Besetzung vereint bekannte Namen wie Compay Segundo, Ibrahim Ferrer, Rubén González und Omara Portuondo. Musikalisch bewegt sich das Album im Bereich des Son Cubano, ergänzt durch Bolero und Danzón. Die Stücke wirken schlicht und unmittelbar, getragen von akustischen Gitarren, Klavier, Trompete und Perkussion. Besonders markant sind Songs wie „Chan Chan“, „Dos Gardenias“ und „El Cuarto de Tula“, die später zum festen Bestandteil des Weltmusik-Repertoires wurden. Der Klang lebt von Ruhe, Gelassenheit und der Ausstrahlung der Stimmen, die Geschichten voller Erinnerung und Gefühl transportieren. Im Zusammenspiel entsteht ein zeitloses Dokument, das traditionelle kubanische Musik einem weltweiten Publikum zugänglich machte. Insgesamt ist das Album ein eindrucksvolles Beispiel für die Kraft musikalischer Erfahrung und ein Werk, das seine Wirkung auch Jahrzehnte später nicht verloren hat.

Enjoyable listen.

7/10

Afro-Cuban Jazz, Trova, Son, Danzon, Bolero, Guajira, Ballad. which came first, them or Calexico?

Loses a bit in translation, but otherwise very pleasant musically

8/10

It was okay for a while. But after a while, it just drags on and on. A little too much for me. But I will still probably come back to this one, or one of their other albums, later.