Los Van Van
Aquí El Que Baila Gana - El Concierto: DVD & 2-CD Set!
Import
DVD
(Planet PLT169NTSC),
Released 2008;
Editor's Pick:
Finally, a superb quality DVD concert performance befitting the legacy of Juan Formell y Los Van Van. And what a legacy! Formell and his crew have been churning out major hits with infectious hooks for four decades. They're, in large part, responsible for the "new" Cuban sound of popular music, combining salsa with songo and inevitably enabling the advent of timba. That, folks, is no small feat. This performance, at the Teatro Karl Marx in Havana, had the packed-to-capacity crowed riveted and mouthing every word along with the singers Mario "Mayito" Rivera, Roberto Hernandez — who breaks the show in with a sizzling "Chapeando," Yenisel Valdes and Abdel Rasalps. "Que No, Que No," "El Baile del Buey Cansa'o," "Sandunguera" and "El Negro Está Cocinando" are a few of what is in store.
There is something magical about a band that can attract people of such an extreme range of ages, and the staying-power of Formell's hits is palpable. Like the diversity of folks who shared an unlikely vision in Close Encounters of the Third Kind, they all gathered, drawn helplessly to Los Van Van -- completely mesmerized by the two hours of non-stop, highly charged rhythm. Contemporary Cuban music just doesn't get better than this. And when Pedito Calvo, Cesar "Pupy" Pedroso and Changuito, all former Van Van superstars, hit the stage a bit later in the show, the excitement level rose yet further. Calvo does a remarkable rendition of the early Van Van hit "Marilú," and the electric guitar work of Elmer Ferrer is both intense and beautiful. Samuel Formell, Juan's son and heir to the throne, does a pretty spectacular job on the drums. He is not to be underestimated. There are also guests, like the tresero Pancho Amat, flautist Orlando Canto, and singers Mario Valdes and Armandito Cuervo.
The concert is brought to a close with a fissure inducing "Somos Cubanos." The audience felt it deeply, and glowed. I could be mistaken, but there appears to be a disproportionate quantity of gorgeous, highly gyrating, women in the first five rows. By far, Aquí El Que Baila Gana is the finest DVD concert by this venerable band. For those of you who have dreamed of a truly pristine quality Van Van DVD, your wait is over. Comes with two audio cds as well.
Very Highly Recommended. (BP, 2008-01-15)
Song titles include:
DVD: Chapeando 10:30
Tim Pop Con Birdland 12:50
Popurrit #1 09:55
Despues De Todo 8:55
Que No, Que No 6:06
Si A Una Mamita 6:55
El Baile Del Buey Cansa'o 6:05
Anda Ven Y Muevete 7:40
El Negro Esta Cocinando 5:29
Marilu 5:15
Por Encima Del Nivel (Sandunguera) 9:50
Soy Todo (Ay Dios Amparame) 7:55
Anda Ven Y Quiereme 7:50
No Pidas Mas Presta'o 7:50
Ven, Ven, Ven 7:45
Somos Cubanos 9:20
CD1: Chapeando 10:29
El TimPop Con Birdland 12:48
El Popurrit #1 9:58
Y Despues De Todo 8:54
Que No, Que No 6:08
Si A Una Mamita 6:52
Elbaile Del Buey Cansa'o 6:03
Anda Ven Y Muevete 7:52
CD2: El Negro Esta Cocinando...plus Seven More Tunes!!!
Musicians include:
Juan Formell Director general
Samuel Formell Director musical
Mario Rivera, Roberto Hernandez, Yenisel Valdes, Abdel Rasalps Cantantes
Hugo Morejon Trombon
Roberto Carlos Rodriguez Piano
Jorge Leliebre Flauta
Boris Luna Teclado
Alvaro Collado, Edmundo Pina Trombon
Pedro Fajardo, Irving Frontela Violin
Pavel Molina Bajo
Julio Noroña Guiro
Manuel Labarrera Congas
Musicios Invitados: Pedro "Pedrito" Calvo, Mario Valdes, Armandito Cuervo Cantantes
Cesar Pedroso "Pupy" Piano
Jose Luis Quintana Pailas
Orlando Canto Flauta
Gerardo Miro, Jose Linares Violines
Pancho Amat Tres
Joel Driggs Congas
Elmer Ferrer Guitarra
Category: Dvd
=> Salsa Cubana
=> Cuba
Shipping Value: 2
ORDER TL-22837.20 DVD $27.98
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