Buena Vista Social Club

The Buena Vista Social Club was a members club in Havana, Cuba that held dances and musical activities, becoming a popular location for musicians to meet and play during the 1940s. In the 1990s, nearly 50 years after the club was closed, it inspired a recording made by  Cuban musician Juan de Marcos Gonzalez and American guitarist Ry Cooder with traditional Cuban musicians, some of whom were veterans who had performed at the club during the height of its popularity.

This Grammy award - winning group remain the biggest selling world music album ever. I have been aware of their fantastic music for a while and decided to watch their critically acclaimed documentary again. Which i just love.

The documentary features most of the bands most influential singers and musicians. These legends look back to the halcyon day's of the Cuban music scene, when the rich and famous travelled from all over the world to listen to them perform.

The documentary was, and is a very good watch. Seeing how music brought together these men from their humble origins - taking them out of a poor Cuba to seeing parts of the world they could have only dreamt about in their younger years. Which is testament to how their fantastic talents opened doors, and gave them opportunities.

My personal favourite member of this band is the late Ibrihim Ferrar.  This man lived, and breathed his music. He stayed humble and remembered his roots, and when he sang - you knew he had a true gift.

Sunshine for the soul - Their music has been described as,  I totally agree.


Submitted by Demola, The Collective