Ry Cooder's name has helped bring attention to this session, but it's the veteran Cuban son musicians who make this album really special. Reminiscent of Ellington in its scope and sense of hushed romanticism, Buena Vista Social Club is that rare meld of quietude and intensity; while the players sound laid-back, they're putting forth very alive music, a reminder that aging doesn't mean taking to bed. Barbarito Torres's laoud solo on "El Cuarto de Tula" is both more blinding and more tasteful than any guitar showcase on any recent rock album; a quote from "Stormy Weather" and some very distinct parallels to Hawaiian styles remind us of why it's called "world music." --Rickey Wright
The record that put Cuban 'son' on the map and relaunched the careers of a generation of stellar musicians.

That Ry Cooder, you've got to keep an eye on him every minute, or he jumps into another cross-cultural collaboration. In the wake of his landmark recordings TALKING TIMBUKTU with Ali Farka Toure and A MEETING BY THE RIVER with V.M. Bhatt comes BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB, essentially a supergroup of traditional Cuban musicians with the addition of internationalagitator Cooder. Somehow, Cooder always finds just the right space to slide his sinuous slide guitar into, so that it works in almost any context. Here, amidst the multi-layered percussion, piano and Cuban guitar rhythms, Cooder's slide simultaneously finds a home and eggs the ensemble on. The natural beauty of the Cuban tonal and rhythmic palette is the real star of BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB, evoking both a sense of mystery and a feeling of intense emotional satisfaction.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Buena Vista Social Club
Comment: 'Buena Vista Social Club' is the Ry Cooder produced album of such melodic, harmonious, relaxed Cuban beauty. Each track transports you to another time and place and you honestly feel your cares drifting away as you listen to each song. From the wonderful album opener 'Chan Chan' to the infectious 'El Cuarto de Tula' and the delightfully mournful 'Dos Gardenias' and more, this album throws up delight after delight. Ry Cooder may have brought this amazing music to a wider audience, but it is the talent and passion of the musicians that shines through. A beautiful album that deserves a place in any music collection. Well worth a try.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: This is simply amazing...
Comment: Just take a listen, it doesn't matter what you're in to, just listen.

It's relaxing and melodic while being completely passionate and beautiful. How anyone could ban this stuff is beyond me. Damn politics!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Gorgeous classic - Party starter
Comment: This is such a gifted compilation, Ry Cooder gave music lovers everywhere a rare gift by being the inspiration and the driving force behind exposing these great musicians to the world. It's one of those cd's that always somehow seems to be close to the top of your collection, a guaranteed great play and essential for any party.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Buena vista social club...landmark music
Comment: Few musical compilations affect listeners the way this album does. So moving, you will be forced to sit quietly and just absorb it. Your mind will overflow with thoughts of the tropics, Old Cuba and the like, even if you have never been there. It is that powerful. You can picture fine cigars, smoked even by the poorest of cuban society. You feel love and happiness, and are compelled to sway to this sometimes "raw" recording. The vibrating guitar strings, the deep fluid vocals, the smooth yet searing trumpet all say "this is the real thing". I love it...It is a modern classic. Listen and you will see it and feel it too.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Just for you!
Comment: Fantastic. The one not to forget!If you love music you'll adore this one. Beautiful from start to finish.Cannot recommend this CD higher.Return to play it all over again and again.My students love it too. Use it for a music therapy, great stuff.

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