Buena Vista Social Club Presents Ibrahim Ferrer - Buena Vista Social Club > Reviews > Go On - Shake those maracas!! or anything else...

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
Value for Money

Advantages:	Gets Everything Moving !
Disadvantages:	None

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

After watching a programme on television about the Buena Vista Social Club, I was inspired to buy this CD. And, I was not disappointed!

I don't usually buy music from this genre but I was soon dancing around the room 'shaking my booty'! - not a pretty sight!!

The front CD cover shows Ibrahim, wearing a leather cap, looking as though he's had a great deal of life's experiences and enjoyed them along the way! The plastic CD cover is also covered by a cardboard one.

This CD is the first solo album by Cuban singer Ibrahim Ferrer. He was born in 1927 in Santiago and he moved to Havana in 1957, where he has lived ever since. He was well-known in Cuba for his singing, mainly as a backing singer for other groups, but it was not until he appeared with the Buena Vista Social Club, that he gained a more international recognition.

The album was mixed in Havana by the same group used by The Social Club, and so you get the same feel for the music - they know what they are doing!

Other artists and musicians have been invited to perform on this recording and so you get a good mix of sounds and a wide range of talented people - mainly from Cuba. Ry Cooder has produced this album, along with Nick Gold, executive producer. The album was produced by World Circuit in 1999.

Inside the CD case is a very useful book, which details Ibrahim's life and it explains how he became to be more widely-known. There are photographs showing Ibrahim recording his music with the other artistes.
Also, because the songs are sung in a mixture of Spanish and African-derived patrios's, the song words are printed in English and in Cuban - useful, if you want to sing along.

The music itself is a mixture of the more energetic styles or the more slower ballards. So you get a good contrast. Depending on which mood I'm, I do tend to pick and choose what I want to hear. I tend to prefer the more up-beat ones! His voice is suited perfectly to whichever style he happens to be singing at that time. It has a subtle quality about it and you can hear his age and experience in it. Many of the tracks tell a story, which make them more interesting e.g. The first track - 'Bruca Manigua'- about a black slave who flees to the mountains to escape his suffering.

There are eleven tracks on the CD which contain musical influences from as far back as 1937. They contain different styles including rumbas, ballards, and boleros.
Ibrahim was more well-known for singing up-tempo music, so this CD really gives him an opportunity to show what he can do.

The tracks are:-
1. Bruca Manigua
2. Herido de Sombras
3. Marieta
4. Guateque Campesino
5. Mami Me Gusto
6. Nuestra Ultima Cita
7. Cienfuegos Tiene Su Guaguanco
8. Silencio
9. Aquellos Ojos Verdes
10. Que Bueno Baila Usted
11. Como Fue

I will not repeat all of the information on each song given in the CD booklet, but, it is well worth reading to get an idea of where the music originated from and how it has been up-dated for today.

Ibrahim is supported by a stringed section and a small 'band' with plenty of percussion instruments including. of course, maracas! Where would Cuban music be without them? There are also backing vocalists and Cuban soloists who join Ibrahim on a number of tracks including 'Silencio'.

I bought this CD online from audiostreet online for approx. ten pounds - it was a few months ago now!

It is well worth borrowing or buying this CD to give yourself a wider musical experience - I'm glad that I did.

Happy listening!