World > Latin World > pre 1970 > 5 GBP to 10 GBP

Advantages: Ferrer's beautiful voice, simple arrangements
Disadvantages: None at all

"Mi sueno" is the final album recorded by much celebrated lead vocalist of the Buena Vista Social Club, Ibrahim Ferrer. In spite of being well-known among die hard fans of Cuban music, Ferrer was not even famous in Cuba let alone the world outside the isolated Carribbean island until American musician Ry Cooder discovered the veteran performers and made them into international superstars; Ferrer was 69 years old at the time. Cuban music includes ...
...of music that incorporates the Spanish 'cancion' style with African beats. Modern salsa music is derived from 'Son Cubano'. Guajira is derived from son and is distinct because of the arpeggiated guitar or piano parts; the Cuban classic "Guantanamera" is the best-known example of this style. Rumba is typified by call and response singing and this is something the Bueno Vista Social Club was particularly known for. Ferrer was best-known for being a ... Read review

Advantages: Inspirational playing, clever arrangements, and a purity of purpose.
Disadvantages: Probably not for everyone.

Nic Jones has always been in the background of my life. From my earliest days we had a cassette tape of this fine album on our trips to the Lake District, and Nic's sonorous tones make that landscape come alive. Regarded by many folkies as Nic's best album, this was recorded at the zenith of his career, just two years before his tragic car accident. Unable to play since then, subsequent releases have been taken from live recordings at gigs and festivals, ...
...and arrangements at their peak. On Nic's playing, I have to say something that may sound over-enthusiastic. His ability to play rhythm and melody simultaneously is hard to match, even today. The depth of sound his guitar style creates is simply spell-binding, especially on his Canadee-I-O. Much of this album is related to the sea in one shape or another, and creates highly evocative images of the hardships of cold (The Little Pot Stove) and the ... Read review

Advantages: Very good music salsa and bolero's been singed by a great voice
Disadvantages: can sound a little boring if you are not a fan

Known by what sould be the last Ry Cooder cuban production, this is the second solo album of Ibrahim Ferrer, one of the stars of The Buena Vista Social Club. On this, most all of tunes was written by Ibrahim Ferrer himself and there are a lot of musicians and instruments that wasn't heard on his previous one. Here his voice sounds more natural and more relaxed. There's some boleros too, something tht ibrahim really can sing with a powerfull voice. ...
...cuban music presenting musicians dead and alive. I really enjoy this album it has really great songs, but I'd prefer the Buena Vista Social Club because we can listen to Compay Segundo and others singers too. But if you like a bolero, and Ibrahim's voice it's very good, and much better than the first. ... Read review

Advantages: Some really poignant songs
Disadvantages: None really

Christy Moore - Ride On. 1984. I have long been a fan of Irish music, and a fan of protest songs, from John Lennon to The Clash, so it is fair to say that I have a fair collection of Irish protest music, some of which has a distinctly anti-British feel. Before anyone slates me for writing a review of well known IRA sympathisers' songs, many of which are very supportive of the IRA cause, let me say this. Like it or not, there has been a conflict ...
...Great opener. 8/10. 2. Ride On The title song. Gorgeous guitar work with a real Latin feel for the introduction. It is a folk tale of admiration and perhaps jealousy. The story of a peasant looking on to a woman of riches riding on, who he may or may not have had a dalliance with. To me it is very folky and not that strong, but pleasant enough. 6/10. 3. Vive la Quinte Brigada This song is fantastic. Many people may not know that a bunch of Irish ... Read review

Advantages: composition, vocals
Disadvantages: none

Anybody can recognize "The Girl From Ipanema", it's a classic. But where did it come from? Where did Bossa Nova spread its roots? Pianist Tom Jobim is credited for the composition of most of the classic Bossa Nova standards, but is was João Gilberto who took these standards, and interpreted on the guitar what we now identify as Bossa Nova. By harmonizing the chords on the guitar with the traditional Brazilian Samba rhythm, Gilberto evolved Jobims' ...
...virtuous, but what really captures me is his voice. He sings with a "blown" quality as if he is blowing air from his gut, which produces an intimate close-to-the-microphone sound. It's possible to hear his lips smacking dryly during the pronounciation of certain words, and he has an excellent vocal amplitude, using mostly low-pitched but well chosen notes. This album is fun to compare to his other work, as over the years his performances have become ... Read review