The Buena Vista Social Club came through San Diego's premiere music venue, Humphrey's, last Spring as part of their farewell tour.
It was quite beautiful. Having been ten years since the movie, many of the cast members had since passed on or retired. Youngsters dominated the piano and bass and other roles. Yet a significant number remained. A couple of the old-timers from the 1940s were featured about mid-way through the show, a beautiful lady singer, and I believe an older gentleman who played guitar.
The show was fronted by a wonderful trombone player, in a bright, yellow suit, who served as the emcee. The video screen displayed many photographs and memorabilia from the early days. I had studied some of the songs by Ibrahim Ferrer and printed them out after translating them. I left them in the bar before the show, much to the delight and education of hopefully somebody, (a busboy?)
The only song that comes to mind tonight was a humorous song about a fire in a building, started by a careless lady. It was funny. They were all funny songs.
F.J., I envy that experience. The beautiful lady may have been Omara Portuondo. I have many favorites from The Buena Vista Social Club, but this one always gets to me. (It comes after the ad.)
It was actually summer of 2015. So that's eighteen years after the release of the movie. It was Ms. Portuomondo. You can imagine her singing well into her eighties. She was literally living history.
Some of my favorite music. Incredible stuff. You should look up Lila Downs... you might like her too...
ReplyDeleteThe Buena Vista Social Club came through San Diego's premiere music venue, Humphrey's, last Spring as part of their farewell tour.
ReplyDeleteIt was quite beautiful. Having been ten years since the movie, many of the cast members had since passed on or retired. Youngsters dominated the piano and bass and other roles. Yet a significant number remained. A couple of the old-timers from the 1940s were featured about mid-way through the show, a beautiful lady singer, and I believe an older gentleman who played guitar.
The show was fronted by a wonderful trombone player, in a bright, yellow suit, who served as the emcee. The video screen displayed many photographs and memorabilia from the early days. I had studied some of the songs by Ibrahim Ferrer and printed them out after translating them. I left them in the bar before the show, much to the delight and education of hopefully somebody, (a busboy?)
The only song that comes to mind tonight was a humorous song about a fire in a building, started by a careless lady. It was funny. They were all funny songs.
F.J., I envy that experience. The beautiful lady may have been Omara Portuondo. I have many favorites from The Buena Vista Social Club, but this one always gets to me. (It comes after the ad.)
ReplyDeleteDave, thanks for the recommend. I shall look her up.
ReplyDeleteShaw,
ReplyDeleteIt was actually summer of 2015. So that's eighteen years after the release of the movie. It was Ms. Portuomondo. You can imagine her singing well into her eighties. She was literally living history.
Sublime:
ReplyDeleteSilencio
Duermen en mi jardín
Las blancas azucenas, los nardos y las rosas
Mi alma muy triste y pesarosa
A las flores quiere ocultar su amargo dolor
Yo no quiero que las flores sepan
Los tormentos que me da la vida
Si supieran lo que estoy sufriendo
Por mis penas llorarían también
Silencio, que están durmiendo
Los nardos y las azucenas
No quiero que sepan mis penas
Porque si me ven llorando morirán
¡Muy amable! Mil gracias. Que el Señor le bendiga á ustéd y su casa.
ReplyDeleteFJ,
ReplyDeleteGracias por usted palabras amables.