Jun 14, 2007, 03:50 PM
Let’s swoon to da man of the hour. “En Primera Plana” opens with ID’s voice, a cappella, unadorned the way I like it. Whenever I hear him, nostalgia flows---my premier visit to the island & his music was everywhere. Today, listening to his new songs, the ambience that is Cuba washes over me once more & still a shiver of that first time, first music, first love. A few caveats, if I want strings with the crooning, then I’ll put Vic Damone on the box. No need to syrup down his delectable vocals. Corny! Medleys smack of Vegas; here it’s a recap of past hits & if he's gonna pull out the old chestnuts, then mash ‘em up & give ‘em a new twist (Dylan has this down to a science, he totally changes his exitos, revitalizing & re-interpreting)
As for bass solos, I lost my taste for that extravagance when I left my roquero stage. Don’t care if it’s Sting or “maestro” Cachao. To me, it’s aburrido. Altho, the twirling on the piano keys by Rubalcaba is lovely. One cut is titled ‘Cement, brick & sand.’ How in the heck can ID make that sound seductive? Well, believe me, he does.
Mostly I prefer the more traditional forms of Cuban music, mostly old-fashioned stuff. I loved that he ends with a chanqui but he fractures it a bit, steps on it, jazzes it up. Wouldn’t it be nice if Guantanamo was remembered for this unique sound rather than for US torture chambers?
When will ID record an album of only ballads? His voz is custom-built as a soundtrack for smooching. The sales clerk at LA store told me there was a lot of interest before this CD release. Only one copy left. Lucky me. And lucky again to have in hand tix to see El Chevere de Salsa at Playboy Jazz Fest this weekend. Issac forever! Muaaaa!
As for bass solos, I lost my taste for that extravagance when I left my roquero stage. Don’t care if it’s Sting or “maestro” Cachao. To me, it’s aburrido. Altho, the twirling on the piano keys by Rubalcaba is lovely. One cut is titled ‘Cement, brick & sand.’ How in the heck can ID make that sound seductive? Well, believe me, he does.
Mostly I prefer the more traditional forms of Cuban music, mostly old-fashioned stuff. I loved that he ends with a chanqui but he fractures it a bit, steps on it, jazzes it up. Wouldn’t it be nice if Guantanamo was remembered for this unique sound rather than for US torture chambers?
When will ID record an album of only ballads? His voz is custom-built as a soundtrack for smooching. The sales clerk at LA store told me there was a lot of interest before this CD release. Only one copy left. Lucky me. And lucky again to have in hand tix to see El Chevere de Salsa at Playboy Jazz Fest this weekend. Issac forever! Muaaaa!