Compay Segundo – Hey Caramba

Anybody else remember back about ten years ago or so, when the Buena Vista Social Club was hugely popular? Yeah, I do. I loved that stuff. And I loved the thought that a wider audience was being introduced to this style of music. Really, everybody could do with a little bit of this rhythm in their lives.

Admit it, you hear these songs (most likely) in a coffee shop somewhere (hopefully you’re not patronizing a corporate bastard shop, but still) and you’re sitting there with your biased paper and enjoying your $8 vente grande frappa-whatever and you notice after a few minutes that your foot is tapping happily along with the tunes coming from the tinny little speakers in the ceiling. So then you think, “I should buy some of this music, I really like it.” And even if you’re a metal-head, you know you’d still play this secretly when you were alone. Oh go ahead, deny it when others are around, but you’ve that thought, though. Am I right? Of course I am.

Well, I got this CD at Chapters in St. Catherines for $4, when James was here on his VACATION, and it is exactly the type of thing you’re seeking. Sure, I don’t really speak the language and so I can’t understand more than the few words Sesame Street may have taught me, but it hardly matters. Just listen to the complicated interplay between the instruments and the soaring vocals. Feel that beat in your blood and your bones and just go with it. Become Baloo The Bear. Awesome.

I am so glad somebody (I’m pretty sure it was Ry Cooder) went down there and brought all those old guys up here to us so that we, too, could enjoy this beautiful, wholly pleasing music.

I’ve never even been to Cuba but I can almost feel the sun on my face because this CD totally takes me there in my mind.

Track Listing:
01 Hey Caramba
02 El Pequinto E Coleto
03 Mi Son Oriental
04 La Calabaza
05 El Gallo E’ Jando
06 Jaava Leva
07 Tu Novia Te Boto
08 Vicenta
09 Yo Canta En El Llano
10 Se Seco El Arroyiyo
11 Baya Y Tapa La Olla
12 El Parana
13 Cuembe Tangana
14 San Luisera
15 Como El Macao, Candela
16 Noche Buena
17 Cuando El Rio Suena
18 Tente En Pie
19 Yo Domino
20 Descripcion De Un Sueno