Product Description Omara Portuondo, the Cuban diva and star of the Buena Vista Social Club among others, celebrates her 60-year musical career with a brand new album. With Gracias, Portuondo's aim is to revisit the songs that she has found most moving and to work with the songwriters she most admires, such as Silvio Rodríguez, Pablo Milanés and Jorge Drexler, the latter being the composer of the album's title-song, specially dedicated to Portuondo. These are not, however, the only star guests on this recording. If the list were not already impressive enough, other great names include Chucho Valdés (who performs a song composed by Portuondo's son), the brilliant African musician Richard Bona and the Brazilian maestro Chico Buarque. And what better way to celebrate such an auspicious occasion than to recruit a first-class quintet? The group consists of three musicians that Portuondo has worked with in the past - pianist Roberto Fonseca, guitarist and musical director Swami Jr. and percussionist Andrés Coayo - along with the Israeli double bassist Avishai Cohen and Hindu percussionist Trilok Gurtu. Review Aided by producers Alê Siqueira and Swami Junior, and a consummate group of musicians,Portuondo gives a modern touch to nostalgia creating a disc that will delight fans inside andoutside Cuba. There are some striking collaborations, ranging from an edgy yet symphonic O que será duet with Brazil s Chico Buarque to Ámame como soy with Pablo Milanés, a song with lyrics that could stand as a metaphor for the whole project: Love me as I am... I want to reach your soul. --SONGLINES (November 2008)
S**F
A life in song
This CD has the feel of an autobiography. The music, along with photos of Omara at different ages, has the feel of being transported to the times and places in which she lived. There is a sentimental quality to this music but the lyrics and rhythms carry you from place to place so that it never feels saccharine or contrived. It would help if you spoke Spanish, or, if you don't you might be motivated to learn just so that you could totally wallow in these songs -- that are sure to have more appeal for people of a 'certain age.' If she had written a book about her life in Cuba and listed all her stage performances and gossiped about every detail one could read it, enjoy it, and then put it away or pass it on, but you can play this CD over and over and marvel at what it must have been like to be Ms. Portuondo at every beautiful age.
B**N
Gracias Omara!
I must confess that when I bought the Buena Vista Social Club album and its many spinoff discs more than ten years ago, Omara Portuondo was the musician that interested me the least in the group. Sure I loved her voice, but I suppose my taste was more timbale than torch song. Similarly, when I saw her live in concert with Ibrahim Ferrer and Ruben Gonzalez in Washington, DC in 2001, my eyes were usually glued on the pianist and her male vocal counterpart instead of the Cuban diva. I also must say that her CDs, both on World Circuit/Nonesuch and the "Cuban Essentials" series (see my review of the latter), have made it into my 5-disc changer much less over the years than those of her compadres.It is therefore with great joy that I can say listening to "Gracias" multiple times over the past two weeks has been one of the best musical experiences of my life! You have to realize (if you don't already know from reading any of my more than 1300 reviews on Amazon), I have nearly 5000 CDs and I feel like I never get the chance to listen to anything anymore, let alone the time to slowly savor something like I have done this past fortnight with "Gracias." In many ways this album reminds me of Johnny Cash's "The Man Comes Around" -- I know, you're saying Richman's really lost it now! In the same way that Rick Rubin captured Cash's essence by having him take a musical walk down memory lane, on "Gracias" Omara constantly revisits old topics, her past and her island home, in multiple tributes and thank yous. And even what is lost in translation (I speak limited Spanish) doesn't matter because her presentation is so passionate and direct, and the music so gorgeous, that it transcends any barriers and offers true universal enjoyment. From the heart-aching piano introduction and her delicate vocal entry on "Adios Felicidad," to the brilliant Brazilian beats of "O Que Sera," to the adorable pairing with her granddaughter on "Cachita," to the grand guitar work on the title track, "Gracias" is an absolute masterpiece. I know that this may end up being Portuondo's swan song (the majority of her Buena Vista collaborators are now dead), but here's hoping that Omara can thank us all again with another collection of songs like this in the future. And if this is it, then Omara, "Gracias" a ti.
J**.
Four Stars
Great CD!
A**R
OMARA "THE BEST"
I'M GIVING HER THE SAME REVIEW I ALWAYS DO. AS FAR AS IM CONCERNED SHE CAN DO NO WRONG. I ENJOY ALL HER MUSIC AND I CONSIDER HER TO BE ONE OF THE BEST. HER MUSIC TRANSCENDS TIME. SHE'S FABULOUS!
R**N
Five Stars
love this cd
Z**A
Good
It is good, but some song are not well executed, the age is evident when doing bribato or keep the pitch
S**P
Not the songs I expected Omara to sing.
A couple of good songs while the rest are mediocre. Omara delivers the emotions all the time but most of the songs in this album are beyond redemption. I listened once to this album then I placed it in storage.
T**N
Recepcion OK
My product was received Ok y my home,This CD is a older beatiful music of Cuba of 60`s - 70's years.Thank by yuor fast send it.
M**G
A delight
A beautiful, graceful and gently uplifting album from one of the Buena Vista stars. Easy on the ear and sheds a bit of Cuban sunshine on a wintry evening. A delight.
L**O
Very nice complement if you were fortunate enough to see a ...
Very nice complement if you were fortunate enough to see a live Buena Vista Social Club Concert.Very nice introduction to Buena Vista Social Club Music.
R**C
One of her best album!
Omara Portuondo is the last member alive of the Buena Vista Social Club. In this cd, she proove that she is also one of the greatest singer in the wold! If you like good music from all aroud the world, buy this one!
M**8
Soloalbum der Sängerin des Buona Vista Social Club
Das vorliegende Album ist eine schöne Erinnerung an das wunderbare Konzert der Sängerin 2008 im Zeithaus der Autostadt Wolfsburg. Im Rahmen des Movimentos - Festivals stellte Sie die später veröffentlichte CD bereitslive vor. Die Aufnahmen sind mit exellenten Jazzmusikern eingespielt und besonders interessant für Freundeder cubanischen Musik, reich an verschiedenen Facetten.
L**I
Ottimo acquisto
Ho sentito Omara ad un concerto all'auditorium e questo cd rappresenta tutta la sua poesia.Lo consiglio vivamente agli appassionati di questo genere musicale e non.
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