Buena Vista Social Club - Candela

Besides being a great guitarist, Ry Cooder is perhaps as valuable to the world as an arranger, producer and discoverer of fertile musical ground. Invited on a trip (through Mexico) to Havana, he was amazed to discover that many of the legendary performers of the old Buena Vista Social Club were still alive and performing vibrant music. With the weight of Mr. Cooder these Cuban All-Stars gathered for an historic six day recording session. The velvety-voiced Ibrahim Ferrer is joined by 70-ish "Fiancee of Feeling" Omara Portuondo and fiery Compay Segundo. The group is anchored by bass virtuoso Orlando "Cachaito" Lopez. The sound is built around the expert piano work of Ruben Gonzalez, blending his classical training with the seductive rhythms of Havana.

Many of these brilliant musicians have passed since this 1997 recording, but as a result most were able to tour the world, bringing their musical diplomacy to Carnegie Hall, Amsterdam, Spain, France, Reykjavik...

     Candela
Another classic 'son' by the legendary figure of Cuban music, Faustino Oramas. Also known by the nickname "El Guayabero" after the melody of a song that is an essential part of the Cuban national heritage, Oramas is famous for his work as a wandering troubadour going from town to town with nothing more than his guitar and his songs. "Candela" is the perfect example of the richness of the 'son' style and the possibilities of improvisation that it offers a great 'sonero' (vocal improviser) like Ibrahim Ferrer. This Cuban standard is wonderfully embellished by metaphors, double meanings and is full of sexual innuendo in the Santiago tradition (take a listen to 'Marieta', also penned by Faustino Oramas, on Ibrahim Ferrer's debut recording)

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