- Hardcover: 336 pages
- Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press (15 Mar 2008)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0807831298
- ISBN-13: 978-0807831298
- Product Dimensions: 2.4 x 1.6 x 0.3 cm
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,488,155 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Synopsis
This book provides the authoritative history of salsa.Salsa is one of the most popular types of music listened to and danced to in the United States. Until now, the single comprehensive chronicle of the music - and the industry that grew up around it, including musicians, performances, styles, movements, and production - was available only in Spanish. This lively translation provides for English-reading and music-loving fans the chance to enjoy Cesar Miguel Rondon's celebrated El libro de la salsa.Rondon tells the engaging story of salsa's roots in Puerto Rico, Cuba, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela, and of its emergence and development in the 1960s as a distinct musical movement in New York. Rondon presents salsa as a truly pan-Caribbean phenomenon, emerging in the migrations and interactions, the celebrations and conflicts that marked the region. Although salsa is rooted in urban culture, Rondon explains, it is also a commercial product produced and shaped by professional musicians, record producers, and the music industry. For this first English-language edition, Rondon has added a new chapter to bring the story of salsa up to the present.
Inside This Book
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4 reviews
11 of 15 people found the following review helpful
DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK!
1 Sep 2008
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I would ordinarily not review a book I didn't finish, but Rondón made two errors in the first 28 pages so grievous that I put the book down for good. First, about the debut album from Eddie Palmieri's band La Perfecta, he claims: "Eddie's older brother, Charlie, was the pianist and in charge of composing and arranging most of their repertoire." If he owned this album--one of the most important in the history of salsa--he could plainly see that Charlie wrote the liner notes and did nothing else on it.
Then, a few pages later, he attributes the song "Micaela" to Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez. Now this is an error so common that Fania records itself has made it on at least one of their compilations, but Rondón should know better. There were two different artists named Pete Rodriguez on the Fania label--Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez, the salsa singer who did "Catalina La O," among other classics, and Pete Rodriguez (and his Orchestra), who was dubbed "The King of Boogaloo." It was the latter who did "Micaela."
It's bad enough that Rondón, a Venezuelan, tries desperately to maintain that Venezuela was as important to the history of Salsa as Puerto Rico, but these huge factual errors (as well as minor ones--the original Perfecta included a flautist and was heavily influenced by charanga, though Rondón seems not to know this) indicate a stunning lack of knowledge about his subject and a failure to get anyone to fact check his work.
Then, a few pages later, he attributes the song "Micaela" to Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez. Now this is an error so common that Fania records itself has made it on at least one of their compilations, but Rondón should know better. There were two different artists named Pete Rodriguez on the Fania label--Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez, the salsa singer who did "Catalina La O," among other classics, and Pete Rodriguez (and his Orchestra), who was dubbed "The King of Boogaloo." It was the latter who did "Micaela."
It's bad enough that Rondón, a Venezuelan, tries desperately to maintain that Venezuela was as important to the history of Salsa as Puerto Rico, but these huge factual errors (as well as minor ones--the original Perfecta included a flautist and was heavily influenced by charanga, though Rondón seems not to know this) indicate a stunning lack of knowledge about his subject and a failure to get anyone to fact check his work.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Blame the translator, NOT the author
15 Sep 2010
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I own and have read both this translation and the original "El Libro de la Salsa." The errors mentioned in another review are the fault of the translators, and not of the author. I found additional errors throughout the book, but I actually welcomed them as an opportunity to practice my own translation skills, reading the English and Spanish side by side.
As to complaints regarding the author's inclusion of the Venezuelan scene in this study, anyone who knows anything about salsa is aware that Nuyoricans and puertorriquenos didn't just pull this music out of thin air, and that the music of the Americas has evolved, and continues to evolve, due to influences from numerous cultures. The author grew up in the Caracas scene so he shares from that personal perspective, which I found had value.
Although this book wasn't THE definitive history I had hoped it would be, I recommend it and also urge you to find a copy of the Spanish language large format hardcover, which is filled with gorgeous photographs.
As to complaints regarding the author's inclusion of the Venezuelan scene in this study, anyone who knows anything about salsa is aware that Nuyoricans and puertorriquenos didn't just pull this music out of thin air, and that the music of the Americas has evolved, and continues to evolve, due to influences from numerous cultures. The author grew up in the Caracas scene so he shares from that personal perspective, which I found had value.
Although this book wasn't THE definitive history I had hoped it would be, I recommend it and also urge you to find a copy of the Spanish language large format hardcover, which is filled with gorgeous photographs.
Not Worth Reading - A junk publication
27 Dec 2010
Format:Paperback
Rondon became a TV Producer the same way he became an author. He is smart enough to do research and knows how to exploit people's ignorance. Rondon, an egghead from Venezuela knows nothing about the true essence of the Salsa Movement. He interpretes eveything all the way from a Venezuelan perspective, a place that is light years away from the eye of the storm, New York City. Because of this, and his natural national chauvinism, he tends to downplay the Puerto Rican and Nuyorican phenomenon that is the catayst and heart of the story.
There are too many errors and misinformation in this book. While the voluminous publication is nice to look at, with a few photos, it is misleading and a waste of time. Rondon recognized the dire need and hunger for a book like this and hastily put one together. That is his true talent, he is an empresario. Although Cubans are usually equally chauvisnistic about the music, surprisingly Leonardo Padura Fuentes' book FACES OF SALSA is much more accurate and a better read.
http://www.amazon.com/Faces-Salsa-Leonardo-Padura-Fuentes/dp/1588340805
There are too many errors and misinformation in this book. While the voluminous publication is nice to look at, with a few photos, it is misleading and a waste of time. Rondon recognized the dire need and hunger for a book like this and hastily put one together. That is his true talent, he is an empresario. Although Cubans are usually equally chauvisnistic about the music, surprisingly Leonardo Padura Fuentes' book FACES OF SALSA is much more accurate and a better read.
http://www.amazon.com/Faces-Salsa-Leonardo-Padura-Fuentes/dp/1588340805
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