Compay Segundo & World Music
Re: Cuba Pays Tribute to Compay Segundo's 97th anniversary
I wasn't all that impressed by the film Buena Vista Social Club (1999). I thought it was grossly overated. Perhaps it was the directorial style (I've never been a Wim Wenders fan). A much better Latin music documentary is the phenomenal Calle 54 (2000), directed by Spaniard Fernando Trueba.
That said, I've become a huge fan of Compay Segundo and the other members of the Buena Vista Social Club, due to a stunning 5-CD compilation I picked up here in Korea, entitled "The Great Members of Cuban Music," which also includes Ibrahim Ferrer, Rubén González, Elíades Ochoa, and Omara Portuondo.
I like my World Music straight, and don't need a Ry Cooder to act as an intermediary, although, to his credit, he doesn't interfere too much with Compay and company on stage in the film. Paul Simon, on the other hand, should have left the great Ladysmith Black Mambazo alone on stage. And Sting's forays into world music seem to be nothing more than an extension of his ego.
Trey Anastasio and Dave Matthews at least had the sense to be extremely nervous and humble when performing with the legendary Orchestra Baobab in Dakar, Senegal (see NPR : Review: 'Trey and Dave Go to Africa'). Peter Gabriel, to his credit, presents world music in its original form in his WOMAD festivals. And David Byrne's Brazil Classics (Series) is an absolute must-own for any World Music lover, from which I came to learn of such indispensible singers as Chico Buarque de Hollanda, Caetano Veloso, Milton Nascimento, Gilberto Gil, and Jorge Ben Jor.
Re: Cuba Pays Tribute to Compay Segundo's 97th anniversary
I wasn't all that impressed by the film Buena Vista Social Club (1999). I thought it was grossly overated. Perhaps it was the directorial style (I've never been a Wim Wenders fan). A much better Latin music documentary is the phenomenal Calle 54 (2000), directed by Spaniard Fernando Trueba.
That said, I've become a huge fan of Compay Segundo and the other members of the Buena Vista Social Club, due to a stunning 5-CD compilation I picked up here in Korea, entitled "The Great Members of Cuban Music," which also includes Ibrahim Ferrer, Rubén González, Elíades Ochoa, and Omara Portuondo.
I like my World Music straight, and don't need a Ry Cooder to act as an intermediary, although, to his credit, he doesn't interfere too much with Compay and company on stage in the film. Paul Simon, on the other hand, should have left the great Ladysmith Black Mambazo alone on stage. And Sting's forays into world music seem to be nothing more than an extension of his ego.
Trey Anastasio and Dave Matthews at least had the sense to be extremely nervous and humble when performing with the legendary Orchestra Baobab in Dakar, Senegal (see NPR : Review: 'Trey and Dave Go to Africa'). Peter Gabriel, to his credit, presents world music in its original form in his WOMAD festivals. And David Byrne's Brazil Classics (Series) is an absolute must-own for any World Music lover, from which I came to learn of such indispensible singers as Chico Buarque de Hollanda, Caetano Veloso, Milton Nascimento, Gilberto Gil, and Jorge Ben Jor.
Redeemed by Our Savior, I work out my salvation with fear and trembling in Pohang, South Korea, where I live with my wife, daughter, and son and teach English at a science and technology university. Baptized a Methodist and raised a Missouri Synod Lutheran in Buffalo, NY, I spent six years as a guest of the Anglican Communion before being received by the Grace of God into the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church on the Feast of Saint Andrew, my patron, anno domini 2002.
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