Edesio Alejandro
Calentando La Ilusión - Edesio Alejandro Presenta A La Orquesta Mágica De La Habana
CD
(Universal/Pimienta 360759),
Released 2006;
Editor's Pick:
Don’t know if it’s a joke or not, but on my computer, the name of the record comes up not just as Calentando la Ilusion, but also as Cuba Coup. Hmm… maybe that’s the illusion. Anyway, on to less overtly political topics. The music here is pretty amazing, urban, sophisticated, and old-fashioned, with some elderly singers working through cha chas, and sones, touched by the trova; Cachaito’s on bass, and there’s a guitar, tres and percussion. The pieces are all by Alejandro — though they quote other tunes — along with some other writers. It’s often beautiful, and quite pure in its own way. One song, "Ay Coño," bemoans the fact that things are getting worse and worse in the singer’s neighborhood (see my first sentence). "Habana" opens with a rumba, and it’s an ode to the city, sung with real sadness. "El Robo del la Embajada Sueca" is almost experimental, with all sorts of voices overlayed, singing the Diana, with the tres changing keys; it’s virtually all instrumental. And "Persecusion, Asaltos Y Amores de un Sueco en La Habana" opens with a severely phased tres; it’s also instrumental.
Weird, and Highly Recommended. (Peter Watrous, 2006-06-07)
Song titles include:
Calentando La Ilusión
No Me Castigues
Gózalo A Mi Manera
Ajiaco
Mi Solar
Chiquitica
Morenita
El Muerto
Ay Coño
El Cañón De La Habana
Habana
El Robo De La Embajada Sueca
Persecusion, Asaltos Y Amores De Un Sueco En La Habana
Calentando La Ilusión (Instrumental)
Musicians include:
Natalia Herrera Voz
Adriano Rodríguez Voz
Alfonsín Quintana Voz
José Ramón Piney Trompeta, coro
Lázaro Fernández Trompeta, coro
César Echevarría Mustelier Tres
Gerardo Garcia Guitarra, piano y coro
Israel López Bajo
Rangel García Bongo, tumbadora, coro
Ernesto Cisneros Paila, maraca, clave
Idolka De Erbiti Coro
Miguel Ratia Coro
Enrique Lazaga Guiro
Category: Salsa/Son
=> Son, Guaracha, Guajira
=> Cuba
Shipping Value: 1
ORDER TL-21855.10 CD $16.98
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