- Audio CD (5 Oct 2005)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Format: Import
- Label: Nonesuch
- ASIN: B00004X158
- Other Editions: Audio CD | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 393,931 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product details |
Track Listings
| 1. Chanchullo |
| 2. De Una Manera Espantosa |
| 3. La Liuvia |
| 4. Central Constancia |
| 5. Quizas Quizas |
| 6. Choco Guarjira |
| 7. Si Te Contara |
| 8. Fl Bodeguero |
| 9. Isora Club |
| 10. Rico Vacilon |
| 11. Pa Gozar |
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
One by one, all the great Cuban musicians who thought their day was done are emerging from "retirement", and with this second stunning CD Ruben Gonzalez shows that, at 82, he's only just begun. He may be almost crippled with arthritis, but once his hands touch the keyboard he becomes transformed. His sheer technique is impressive even by classical standards, but what he does with it is dazzling--chromatic octave runs which are exhilaratingly off-key, chord-fusillades happening all over the piano at once. His key weapon is surprise--he knows exactly when to lurk in the shade, and when to burst forth. And he builds up his tapestries of sound like a sorcerer with a willing group of apprentices. Take the sixth track here, which is a slow "son guajira": the trumpet flies high over soft percussion and a muted choral refrain, then in comes Ibrahim Ferrer's wild vocal in his characteristic slow vibrato, followed by Senegalese singer Cheikh Lo, while Gonzalez weaves his spell all round them--sometimes the sinewy foundation, sometimes the brightest star. He can be jokey or tender as the occasion demands in this collection of danzons, cha-chas, and boleros, but he radiates a pervasive authority. Listen to this record once, and you're hooked for good. --Michael Church
Product Description
Cuban Golden-Age keyboard great Rubin Gonzalez's new solo CD, recorded in Havana's atmospheric Egrem Studios, is considerably more laid back than his first, which was a couple of days' worth of fortuitous improvisation during the original BVSC sessions. Here Gonzalez, accompanied by an all-star lineup-vocalist Ibrahim Ferrer, bassist Cachaito Lopez, flutist Richard Eg|es, and conguero Anga Diaz, to name a few-seems more relaxed, and on some tunes lets the ensemble take over, stepping up to the plate for a glorious solo or two when called for. When he does riff, he's more inclined to experiment in a romantic stream-of-consciousness punctuated by trademark trills, runs, and splashes. The effect is ethereal rather than robust, but it's well suited to the milder tempo of this CD. Unforgettable is "Choco's Guajira," a funky country lament so slow it's almost funereal, with Ferrer wailing on vocals, the great Papi Oviedo on tres, "Guajiro" Mirabel on a tipico trumpet, and Gonzalez keeping time with the bass in a studied soulful stumbling. The high drama of the great danzon "Isora Club" is spine-tingling, with the sensual trombone of "Aguaje" Ramos on the melody line and Gonzalez letting loose with bluesy runs, sparkling in and around the percussion, his left hand constantly answering his right in more and more complicated patterns until it almost sounds like a fugue. Mellow perhaps, but never less than tasty. -Patricia Chao
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
In Chanchullo we see the return of Ruben Gonzalez back to Buena Vista form. With his fantastically articulate and innovative piano improvisation, Ruben is at his very best! This album has definite appeal to Buena Vista Social club aficionados, tracks such as Choco's Guajira reminiscent of Candela and Chan Chan. The immersive Latin rhythm section brings out the magic of Gonzalez and I guarantee it will make you move! It is also impossible to find a better example of sheer brilliance, when it comes to Latin/jazz piano. I would recommend this CD to absolutely everyone!
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I'm totally swept away by Ruben G. and indeed the whole Buena Vista thing, which I missed when I might have had a chance to see them tour. Gonzalez is the one who touched me the most and this album is even meatier than Introducing... if possible. Terrible to hear about his arthritis - but also incredible because his playing is so forceful, full of delicacy, wit, and pure improvisatory genuis. He is up there with the great jazz pianists. Can't stop listening to him...
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I knew beforehand that this is a very good recording. Nevertheless, I was surprised by the superb quality of both the recording, the mixing and the performance itself. This music really brightens up your day!
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