Into The Music

In 1997, the Buena Vista Social Club CD, recorded in Havana, was a hugely successful showcase for the delights of Cuban music and was soon followed by Wim Wenders' film about the musical phenomenon. Veteran Cuban players and singers, with their engaging presence and captivating sounds, charmed audiences the world over. Aficionado and author Reese Erlich visits Havana to seek out some musical stories of life before and after Buena Vista.

He also explores some of the prevailing myths about the Buena Vista musicians; that they were all impoverished before the CD came out and that the Castro government had repressed their music. Reese Erlich has interviewed the key players over a number of years, separating fact from fiction. We'll hear from some of the greats, including Eliades Ochoa, Ruben Gonzalez and Manuel Galban.

Producer/Narrator Reese Erlich
Sound engineer Russell Stapleton
Executive Producer Robyn Ravlich
Interpreters Reese Erlich, Jorge Ruiz and Urbano Canizares
English translations spoken by Noemi Uribarri, Guido Uribarri, Adrian Uribarri, Raul Ramirez and Rafael Matos

Select 'show transcript' to reveal music details

Transcript

Music details

Music by Eliades Ochoa, recorded live at home

Siboney, cut 8
Composer: Ernesto Lecuona
Performers: Eliades Ochoa and Charlie Musselwhite
Virgin Rescores, B00000IL1U
CD Continental Drifter
Duration: 1:30

El Carretero, cut 8
Composer: Guillermo Portabales
Performers: Eliades Ochoa and Buena Vista Social Club
CD: Buena Vista Social Club
Nonesuch Records 79478-2
Duration: 1:28

Heridos de Sombras, cut 2,
Composer: Pedro Vega Francia
Performers: Ibrahim Ferrer
CD: Ibrahim Ferrer - Salvato
Nonesuch Records, NY, 79532-2
Duration:52

Candela, cut 9
Composer: Faustino Oramas
Performers: Eliades Ochoa and Buena Vista Social Club
CD: Buena Vista Social Club
Nonesuch Records 79478-2
Duration: 1:36

Veinte Anos, cut 7
Composer: Mara Teresa Vera
Performer: Omara Portuonda and Buena Vista Social Club
CD: Buena Vista Social Club
Nonesuch Records 79478-2
Duration: 1:00

Guantanamera, cut 12
Composer: Public Domain
Performers: Eliades Ochoa and Cuarteto Patria
CD: Cuba in Washington
Publisher: Smithsonian Folkways B000001DLM
Duration: 1:55

Rueben Gonzalez recorded live at home

Pueblo Nuevo, cut 4
Composer: Israel Lopez
Performers: Ibrahim Ferrer and Buena Vista Social Club
CD: Buena Vista Social Club
Nonesuch Records 79478-2
Duration: 4:14

Dos Gardenias, track 5
Composer: Isolina Carillo
Performers: Ibrahim Ferrer and Buena Vista Social Club
CD: Buena Vista Social Club
Nonesuch Records 79478-2
Duration: 2:00

Pueblo Nuevo, cut 4
Composer: Israel Lopez
Performers: Buena Vista Social Club
CD: Buena Vista Social Club
Nonesuch Records 79478-2
Duration: 2:46

Chan, Chan, cut 1
Composer: Francisco Repiliado
Performers: Eliades Ochoa, Compay Segundo and Buena Vista Social Club
CD: Buena Vista Social Club
Nonesuch Records 79478-2
Duration::32

Music from party recorded live

Llevame con tu babalau, track 1,
Composer: Maraca Valle
Performers: Maraca Valle and group
CD: Soy Yo
Ahi-Name Records, Studio City Calif.
Duration: 1:00

Buena Vista Social Club, track 13
Composer: Israel Lopez
Performers: Buena Vista Social Club
CD: Buena Vista Social Club
Nonesuch Records 79478-2
Duration: :30

Hijo de Siboney, cut 1,
Composer: Juan Marino
Performers: Barbarito Torres and group
CD: Barbarito Torres -- Havana Cafe
Atlantic Recording Corporation, NY 83183-2
2:27

He Venido, cut, 1,
Composer: Rolando Vergara
Performers: Los Zafiros
CD: Los Zafiros, Las Voces del Siglo
Acdam Records, Havana
1:12

Mi Oracion, track 10
Composers: G. Boulanger and J. Kennedy
Performers: Los Zafiros
CD: Los Zafiros, Las Voces del Siglo
Acdam Records, Havana
2:06

Si Corazon, track 3
Composers: Oscar Aguirre
Performers: Los Zafiros
CD: Los Zafiros, Las Voces del Siglo
Acdam Records, Havana
1:06

Recorded live: Song of Orpheus

Cancion de Orfeu, cut 4,
Composer: Luis Bonfa
Performers: Los Zafiros
CD: Los Zafiros, Las Voces del Siglo
Acdam Records, Havana
1:26

Patricia, track 4
Composer: Perez Prado
Performers: Manuel Galban and Ry Cooder
CD: Mambo Sinuendo
Nonesuch Records 79691-2
Duration: 1:29

Bolero Sonambulo, cut 11
Composer: Manuel Galban and Ry Cooder
Performers: Manuel Galban and Ry Cooder
CD: Mambo Sinuendo
Nonesuch Records 79691-2
Duration: 2:06

Recorded live: Galban plays Secret Love on guitar

Secret Love, cut 10
Composer: Sammy Fain and Paul-Francis Webster
Performers: Manuel Galban and Ry Cooder
CD: Mambo Sinuendo
Nonesuch Records 79691-2
Duration: 2:46

Maria la O, cut 12
Composer: Ernesto Lecuona
Performers: Manuel Galban and Ry Cooder
CD: Mambo Sinuendo
Nonesuch Records 79691-2
Duration: 1:06

Drume Negrita, cut 1
Composer: Ernesto Grenet
Performers: Manuel Galban and Ry Cooder
CD: Mambo Sinuendo
Nonesuch Records 79691-2
Duration::54

Yo Canto en el Llano, cut 9
Composer: Lorenzo Hierrezuelo and Francisco Repiliado
Performers: Eliades Ochoa and Compay Segundo
CD: Cuba in Washington
Publisher: Smithsonian Folkways B000001DLM
Duration: 3:42

El Manisero, cut 1
Composer: Moises Simons
Performers: Eliades Ochoa and Manu Dibango
CD: CubAfrica
Publisher: Corason Records, B000HOM6MY
Duration: 2:38

Images

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Further Information

Listen to Ibrahim Ferrer and Omara Portuondo on Music Deli 31 October and 2 November

Publications

Title: Dateline Havana: The Real Story of US Policy and the Future of Cuba
Author: Reese Erlich
Publisher: Polipoint Press, Sausalito, California
This book is to be published in January 2009