Pedrito Calvo
50 Años: Pedrito Calvo Y La Nueva Justicia - CD & DVD Set
Import
DVD
(Egrem 0057 NTSC),
Released 2008;
Editor's Pick:
Egrem, one of the state owned Cuban recording companies, has decided that Pedrito Calvo, best known as one of the more impressive singers for Van Van, deserves a big project. And here it is, a cd that comes accompanied by a dvd of mostly live performances. And Calvo, one of the great Cuban singers of the 20th century is in good form. He goes back to some Van Van, including the hit "El Negro No Tiene Na" and "Marilu," and the Pupy Pedroso tune "Sera Que Se Acabo," backed by a band led by the bassist Arnaldo Jimenez, whose participation almost guarantees a great session. And at its best the band lumbers into some deep swing, sounding like a huge orchestra, with violins and flutes and trombones creating a thick matrix of sound over Jimenez’s bass lines. They, with a bit less success, try to work out over a reggaeton beat on "Consejo," where Calvo doesn’t seem to show up — Calvo doesn’t sing on "Recaditos No," either. Ah those crazy Cubans, who, in the liner notes, naming the great Cuban artists of the last century seem to have forgotten Celia Cruz. Those crazy Cubans.
When he’s really singing, as on the remake of "Se Acabo el Querer" which is mixed with hip hop, the beauty of his voice really comes out. He has amazing time on the breaks, a control of pitch, and an understanding of the emotional significance of rhythm and intonation which come together to show how his virtuosity is special.
The dvd is curious, also. First, there’s a video, shot on a beach somewhere. Then there are three tunes recorded live in a sound studio that are amazing, amazing because of the band’s performance, and Calvo’s singing, and the quality of the color and the photography. It’s also amazing because the audience is a bunch of young teenagers, with no black people evident. What? In racism-free Cuba? Oh well.
Recommended. (Peter Watrous, 2008-01-31)
Song titles include:
El Negro No Tiene Na 6:31
La Niña De Los Ojos Color Cafe 3:25
Se Muere La Tia 4:35
Consejo 4:04
Marilu 4:14
Recaditos No 4:00
Se Acabo El Querer 3:31
Musica Para La Muchacha 5:43
Eso Que Anda 5:21
Sera Que Se Acabo 5:17
Musicians include:
Pedro Calvo Rojas Voz lider
Arnaldo Jimenez Villafranca Baby bass & strings, coros
Heber Mendez Gomez Teclados
Roy Alain Sainz Reyes Piano
Reinaldo Valera "Pichi" Conga
Raul Marinez Gonzalez Guiro
Antonio Portuondo Pacha Drums y timbal
Ricardo Labrad Comas Violin
Edwin Marzan Betancourt Violin
Ronny Cabarrocas Fernandez Violin
Geisil Martinez Flauta
Mario Valdes Diaz Voz leader y coros
Jesus Madera Diaz Coros
Yordanis Rodriguez Castaneda Voz leader y coros
Eddy Mesa Coros
Musicos Invitados: Ulises Benavides (Orquesta Revé) Trombones
Jorge Leliebre (Los Van Van) Flautas
Michael Ferrer Voz en track 4
Category: Dvd
=> Salsa Cubana
=> Cuba
Shipping Value: 1
ORDER TL-22846.20 DVD $19.98
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