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Barbarito Torres: Havana Cafe
ByBarbarito Torres is the Buena Vista Social Club’s laudista: a player of the laud, a 12-stringed instrument related to the Arabic oud but with the bright, ringing tones of a mandolin or 12-string guitar. The sound of the laud is a key part of the deep buoyancy found in Cuban music, pushing songs along with repetitive melodic motifs or resonant lead lines. Torres is a master of the craft with an acute sense of musical tradition and restraint. His usual ensemble is magnificent, their richness of sound evoking tropical beaches, good cigars and, yes, Havana cafes. And when the band is augmented by guests like Buena Vista vocalists Ibrahim Ferrer, Omara Portuondo and Pio Leyva, the party gets bumped up a few notches. Torres’ music is fun, sentimental, simply wondrous, a worthwhile extension of the Buena Vista spirit of alégria.
Track Listing
Hijo del Siboney; La calabaza; Sarandonga; Corazon de chivo; El amor de mi bohio; Lagrimas negras; Pensando en ti; Yo no se; Sublime ilusion; Camina pa
Personnel
Barbarito Torres, laud, acoustic guitar; Victor Villa, vocals, bass; Conchita Torres, vocals; Sonia Perez Cassola, background vocals; Nilso Arias, vocals, guitar; Onelio Arias, tres; Pedro Vargas Oliva, percussion; Pio Leyva (#4, 11), Ibrahim Ferrer (#5, 7), Omara Portuondo (#6), guest vocals; Frank Emilio Flynn, piano (#6, 8); Luis
Album information
Title: Havana Cafe | Year Released: 2001 | Record Label: Atlantic Jazz
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