The album is a very successful and contagious combination of 'sones' (happy and rhythm filled pieces) and 'boleros' (the name for Latinamerican ballads). The two most successful samples for each, in my opinion, are "Mami Me Gustó" and "Aquellos Ojos Verdes." The first one, a 'son' composed decades ago by Arsenio Rodríguez, same composer of two more tracks in the album, includes a very upbeat piano solo by Rubén González, followed by a divine solo played by Papí Oviedo on the 'tres' (a three-string instrument from the Caribbean). "... Ojos Verdes" instead, a classic but ageless 'bolero', can bring the most tender memories of an age long gone, where seranading the loved one was the norm, rather than the exception.

When you're done with the CD nostalgia mixes up with happiness, for the fact that Ry Cooder (producer) was able to discover Ibrahim Ferrer's exceptional musical talent. It's so ironic to think that this former Beny More bandmember ("Que bueno baila usted") actually made his record debut hereby, a man born in 1927, but with a sense of romance and rhythm that defies age and any stereotype.

As for the comments some reviewers make, criticizing Ry Cooder's slide guitar playing, I don't agree with them, but then again, it's largely a matter of personal preference.

Final Note: Luckily enough for listeners who don't speak or understand Spanish, the English translation of the lyrics is included.

21 of 22 found the following review helpful:


Boleros, son & nostalgia  Oct 09, 2001 By Manny Hernandez "@askmanny"
From the beginning of the delicious 'son' titled "Bruca Maniguá" it's impossible not to be dragged into an album that's like a trip through yesterday's Cuba, courtesy of Ibrahim Ferrer and Buena Vista Social Club.

The album is a very successful and contagious combination of 'sones' (happy and rhythm filled pieces) and 'boleros' (the name for Latinamerican ballads). The two most successful samples for each, in my opinion, are "Mami Me Gustó" and "Aquellos Ojos Verdes." The first one, a 'son' composed decades ago by Arsenio Rodríguez, same composer of two more tracks in the album, includes a very upbeat piano solo by Rubén González, followed by a divine solo played by Papí Oviedo on the 'tres' (a three-string instrument from the Caribbean). "... Ojos Verdes" instead, a classic but ageless 'bolero', can bring the most tender memories of an age long gone, where seranading the loved one was the norm, rather than the exception.

When you're done with the CD nostalgia mixes up with happiness, for the fact that Ry Cooder (producer) was able to discover Ibrahim Ferrer's exceptional musical talent. It's so ironic to think that former this Beny More bandmember ("Que bueno baila usted") actually made his record debut hereby, a man born in 1927, but with a sense of romance and rhythm that defies age and any stereotype.

Final Note: Luckily enough for listeners who don't speak or understand Spanish, the English translation of the lyrics is included.

====================

Desde el momento en que se inicia el sabroso son "Bruca Maniguá" uno se adentra durante el album entero en un exquisito paseo por la musica de la Cuba de antaño, cortesía del cantante Ibrahím Ferrer y Buena Vista Social Club. Desde las estrofas iniciales al sabroso coro "Yenyere Bruca Maniguá", la canción hace irresistible el deseo de seguirla sea con el pie o con la cadera.

Complementando los sones están "Marieta" pieza que posee el mismo don de la canción inicial, levantando a todo el mundo de su asiento con las vibrantes notas que se le meten a uno por el cuerpo. Sumamente especial resulta el solo de guitarra de Eliades Ochoa; y "Mami Me Gustó", son Montuno compuesto por Arsenio Rodríguez (el mismo compositor de "Bruca Maniguá") tiene un solo de piano de proporciones difíciles de describir sin quedarse corto, interpretado por Rubén González, seguido de un divino solo de tres (instrumento de tres cuerdas) de Papí Oviedo.

En cuanto a los boleros, están "Silencio" con Omara Portuondo, quien ya tiene su propio álbum de la serie Buena Vista... Una pieza de increible belleza, con un conjunto de cuerdas acompañando a la pareja cantante de una forma que simplemente va a dejar sin aliento y seguramente podrá arrancarle más de una lágrima a uno; y "Aquellos ojos verdes", una canción clásica, que toda persona que haya crecido en Latinoamérica en algún momento ha escuchado. A algunos podría recordarles a la abuela, pero a otros quizás pueda servirles para dedicarle una serenata a la persona amada.

Cuando uno ya está listo para catalogar este álbum como un clásico de una vez, suena la poderosa pieza "Que bueno baila usted", legendario son de Benny Moré, de cuya banda Ibrahim Ferrer formó parte...

Cerrando con broche de oro, suena el delicioso bolero "Cómo fue", para dejarlo a uno con una mezcla de nostalgia con alegría por el descubrimiento musical que hizo Ry Cooder al grabar a este excepcional cantante, nacido en Santiago de Cuba en 1927... ¡Quién se iba a imaginar un debut a esa edad! ... gracias a Dios no se perdió sin ser grabada su melodiosa voz y su talento al frente de una banda.

19 of 20 found the following review helpful:


I love this album  Feb 14, 2000 By Luigi
I have listened this album several times before being able to judge it. At the first times it seemed good but not fantastic, just a bit too traditional if compared to BVSC. But after, I have gradually changed my opinion: this is surely a very good work, with the voice of Ibrahim Ferrer that shines. It is as worthy as the first BVSC album. My preferred songs are "Guateque Campesino" and "Bruca manigua".

15 of 16 found the following review helpful:


Absolutely incredible. The music is so powerful.  Oct 06, 1999
I first heard the original Buena Vista Social club during the summer of 1998. I learned to salsa dance to that CD. I never thought I would be saying this but Buena Vista Social Club Presents Ibrahim Ferrer is even better than the debut CD. What an amazing and talented group of musicians. The music is full of emotion, incredible talent, and strength. I am in complete awe of these musicians.

22 of 25 found the following review helpful:


Buena Vista Social Club Presents Ibrahim Ferrer  Nov 23, 1999 By Mitaire AbiSeun
This CD is a "MUST HAVE" for its cultural and social values. This CD is the heart and soul of Cuba. The smoothness of Ibrahim's voice is truly a mental orgasm, it is smooth, meaningful, seductive it is the mate to your musical soul. Purchase this CD, share it, shout of it to the world! Thank the Creator for blessing us with the Buena Vista Social Club. I personally want to travel to Cuba to absorb more of this magic. The Social Club will be appearing in Los Angeles at the Wiltern Threate on 2-18-2000, See you there...

See all 112 customer reviews on Amazon.com