2010
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In just over 2 weeks in 1996 World Circuit recorded three stunning albums in Havana, Cuba: Afro-Cuban All Stars ‘A Toda Cuba le Gusta’, ‘Introducing… Rubén González’, and the legendary ‘Buena Vista Social Club™.’
The original line up of the Buena Vista Social Club made three triumphant concert appearances; two at Amsterdam’s Carré Theatre and the final legendary show at New York’s Carnegie Hall.
Buena Vista Social Club™’s leading lady Omara Portuondo began her career not as a singer but as a dancer at the fabled Tropicana cabaret in Havana. In 1952 she and her older sister, Haydee teamed up with Elena Burke and Moraima Secada to form the vocal group Cuarteto D’Aida, backed by the pianist Aida Diestro.
The Buena Vista Social Club™ phenomenon transformed the careers of Rubén González, Ibrahim Ferrer and Omara Portuondo who continued to record with World Circuit. Under the title of ‘Buena Vista Social Club™ presents…’ the three stars each released their debut albums for the label and achieved huge success.
‘Buena Vista Social Club’ is both the name given to this extraordinary group of musicians and the album, recorded in just seven days in 1996 in Havana’s 1950s vintage EGREM studios. It was clear from the atmosphere of the recording sessions that something very special was taking place.
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After 16 years thrilling audiences around the world, the Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club® is set to bid ‘Adios’ with a farewell world tour.
Rubén González. Ry Cooder famously likened Rubén González’s piano playing to “a cross between Thelonius Monk and Felix the Cat” and his renaissance in his 80s when he became an international star was one of the great elements in the Buena Vista Social Club™ story.
‘Buena Vista Social Club At Carnegie Hall’ is the second album released by the original Buena Vista Social Club™; this extraordinary collection of Cuba’s greatest musicians includes Ibrahim Ferrer, Rubén González, Eliades Ochoa, Omara Portuondo, Compay Segundo, Cachaíto López and Guajiro Mirabal.
Recorded during the same sessions as Buena Vista Social Club, Rubén’s debut album was released when he was 77 years old. Recorded in just two days – without overdubs – it is a sheer delight from beginning to end, capturing the sound of a master reunited with his muse.
