admin
22 December 2023
Most Americans know very little about Cuba. I mean, honestly, when you think about Cuba what comes to mind?
1. Castro and his nappy beard.
2. Elian.
3. Cigars we can’t smoke.
But thanks to organizations like the Wexner Center, Ohioans are starting to learn more about the culture of the land just south of Florida. This past October the Buena Vista Social Club made its Ohio debut in Columbus. First brought to light in Wim Wenders’ documentary film, the BVSC has gathered some of the greatest names in the history of Cuban music: Ibrahim Ferrer, Omara Portuondo, Barbarito Torres and many other renown Cuban musicians came together to turn an old sound on to new ears. By the looks of the Mershon Auditorium on the night of the performance, people were listening. The first half of the show was headed by Barbarito Torres, who directed seven other musicians through the first set. The audience gathered toward the front of the stage and danced, all the while waving Cuban flags. That’s irony for you. 40 years ago most people wanted Cuba blown to bits. Today, the kids of those same people are buying Cuban flags. Ha! Stopping only briefly between songs to say something most people couldn’t understand anyway, the BVSC played songs off of their self-titled album, like the trumpet and guitar friendly “El Cuarto De Tula”. The second set showcased the talents of 70-year-old Omara Portuondo. You should’ve seen this lady. She moved around the stage more in an hour than I moved during all of the ‘90s. Portuondo played with the audience, and this seemed to give the second set a more relaxed feel than the first. We all sang along to “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” and helped out with Osvaldo Farres’ “Quizas, Quizas, Quizas,” known better, probably, as “Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps”. But the covers didn’t compare to the original material performed. I can throw titles and bio info out at you all day, but it will do you no good. Stop reading this and go and pick up a BVSC disk. Force yourself to learn something new.
1. Castro and his nappy beard.
2. Elian.
3. Cigars we can’t smoke.
But thanks to organizations like the Wexner Center, Ohioans are starting to learn more about the culture of the land just south of Florida. This past October the Buena Vista Social Club made its Ohio debut in Columbus. First brought to light in Wim Wenders’ documentary film, the BVSC has gathered some of the greatest names in the history of Cuban music: Ibrahim Ferrer, Omara Portuondo, Barbarito Torres and many other renown Cuban musicians came together to turn an old sound on to new ears. By the looks of the Mershon Auditorium on the night of the performance, people were listening. The first half of the show was headed by Barbarito Torres, who directed seven other musicians through the first set. The audience gathered toward the front of the stage and danced, all the while waving Cuban flags. That’s irony for you. 40 years ago most people wanted Cuba blown to bits. Today, the kids of those same people are buying Cuban flags. Ha! Stopping only briefly between songs to say something most people couldn’t understand anyway, the BVSC played songs off of their self-titled album, like the trumpet and guitar friendly “El Cuarto De Tula”. The second set showcased the talents of 70-year-old Omara Portuondo. You should’ve seen this lady. She moved around the stage more in an hour than I moved during all of the ‘90s. Portuondo played with the audience, and this seemed to give the second set a more relaxed feel than the first. We all sang along to “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” and helped out with Osvaldo Farres’ “Quizas, Quizas, Quizas,” known better, probably, as “Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps”. But the covers didn’t compare to the original material performed. I can throw titles and bio info out at you all day, but it will do you no good. Stop reading this and go and pick up a BVSC disk. Force yourself to learn something new.
artid
476
Old Image
3_3_buenavista.swf
issue
vol 3 - issue 03 (nov 2000)
section
entertainmental