Buena Vista Social Club (DVD, 1999)

I am not Cuban but I have an ecclectic taste for music. I happen to own the Buena Vista Social Club album. It is truly a credit to the island of Cuba and its culture. Now that I have seen the documentary, it solidifies my appreciation of this very talented musical group whom I'd only known through sound. I am English speaking and although the music is beautiful without interpretation, the documentary (Narrated in English) translates the songs beautifully with subtitles as the film dives in and out of the individual stories of each musician (also subtitled in English). The unique glimpse of every day life in Cuba gives this film a special sentiment you can't help but acknowledge. It's almost as educational as it is nostalgic! I recommend it to anyone.

This DVD: THE BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB is the tale of Ry Cooder's dream to find the Old Masters of Guaguanco / Cuban music and have THEM share their soulfulness as only a Master can do. Their stories are different, but I'll bet you'll find something of your humanity within their tales. Especially listen to the story of Ibrahim Ferrer. IF you have had your life touched by these rhythms before, be prepared to feel your body and heart move in synchronicity to a sound from long ago that has never really ever left you.

My Story: Growing up I remember my Godfather having some wonderful parties. Where Women dressed up in Summer Dresses and Men wore Fine Suits (the children being dressed up too, Boys in little suits and Girls in lovely little dresses). 7&7 and Rum & Coke flowed liberally...(Cokes and 7ups for us Kids with a hidden occasional sip of Tio or Tia's "Hi-Ball") Suddenly the Music... there would be no party without the rhythm and flow of the Music. Was it the undulating beat that washed your body like the waves of the Carribean Sea? Familiar waves from home making sensuality and nostalgia simultaneous, or was it the 7&7? While San Francisco was so far and so different from the shores of beloved Puerto Rico, the Music transported you back to unity of the rhythm the Isla del Encanto / the Isle of Enchantment and for a short time you were home.

One of my favorite albums is Nat King Cole's jazz album, After Midnight. Listening to this music I hear how Latin American jazz influenced Cole's album.
We owe Ry Cooder a gread debt of gratitude for rescuing these outstanding musicians from obscurity. It is heartwarming to hear how seventy and eighty year old musicians who often had not performed much for years were able to retrain so quickly to such a high level.
It is also interesting to gather glimpses of who modern Cubans are and what modern Cuba is, a just slightly off-White to dark brown country. Such a contrast to the Ricky Ricardo band in I Love Lucy that was all White. This is not a social examination of Cuba, but it does reveal important aspects of Cuba hidden in the American blackout of unbaised news on Cuba.
Excellent music, heart-warming stories, and socially informative. An excellent album.

Outstanding movie which documents the historic Cuban Music by the still living legends. Thanks to Ry Cooder for organizing a historic musical production of legendary Cuban artists performing the Cuban Son. The 1996 CD won a Grammy and popularized the Cuban Son around the world. The music in the 1998 DVD is even better than the CD because it is live. The music history and personal features on the major artists is entertaining and important.

The Cuban Son is the father of Salsa. The afro-cuban clave beat structure of the songs is the salsa dance beat that is sweeping the world. I keep buying more copies on EBay as gifts to friends who want to learn salsa. Phil Chapman

I love everything about this DVD. Beautiful photography, great sound. A masterpiece for those who love Cuban music as much as rum and a good cigar. There's nothing out there that comes close to a production like this one. The recordings are brilliant, and in 5.1 sound, these guys make you feel like you're witnessing their performances live.