Fidels Eyeglasses: Profiles in greatness

Showing posts with label Profiles in greatness. Show all posts

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Profiles in greatness: Marcelo González a.k.a. 'Marcelo El Blanco'

Marcelo González a.k.a. 'Marcelo El Blanco'

Selected bongó solos.

'Marcelo El Blanco' legendary bongocero

Selected bongó solos and his playing with

Celina y Rutillio 1947-1949.

And with

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Profiles in greatness: Selected works and solos by Ricardo Vidal Ferro Vicente - Cuba

Ricardo Vidal Ferro Vicente

Bongocero
1956 Conjunto Rumba Habana
1980 Conjunto Casino
1990 Septeto Habanero

What is nice about Ricardo Vidal Ferro Vicente's
playing style is that it is tasteful and all about simplicity.

He also at times plays an older style/pattern of cowbell/campana, with two beats on the back end consecutively throughout his ride.

Phonetically sounding like:
Toe ti-ki-Toe ti-ki-Toe ti-ki Toe.
As opposed to now commonly:
Toe ti-ki-Toe ti-ki-Toe ti--Toe.

Selected works and solos by
Ricardo Vidal Ferro Vicente

"Septeto Habanero - 75 Year later"
CD - 1995
El fallecido*Manuel Furé: vocals

7. "El Príncipe De Los Bongoceros"
Ricardo Vidal Ferro Vicente: bongoes

10. "Guaguancó Del Tipico"
Ricardo Vidal Ferro Vicente: bongoes

"Septeto Habanero - Orgullo De Los Soneros"
CD - 1997
On these sessions, Ricardo's bongoes are a bit
low in the mix, but he can still be heard nicely.

5. "Las Maracas"
Ricardo Vidal Ferro Vicente: bongoes

10. "Guaracha Y Son"
Ricardo Vidal Ferro Vicente: bongoes

"Septeto Habanero - Celebrando Sus 80 Años"
CD - 2000

5. "India Inglesa"
Ricardo Vidal Ferro Vicente: bongoes

11. "Al Compas Del Habanero"
Ricardo Vidal Ferro Vicente: bongoes

Septeto Habanero
Ricardo Vidal Ferro Vicente: bongoes

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Profiles in greatness: Agustín Gutiérrez (selected bongó solos)

1925
Agustín Gutiérrez a.k.a. "Manana"

(pictured with Abelardo Barroso playing Clavé)
Born: La Habana 1900 - died: ?

It's often thought that Agustín Gutiérrez created
the "Cuban" rhythmic form called the "Martillo"
which is the basic pattern played on the bongoes.

Agustín Gutiérrez was a member of the Abakúa in
La Habana and is often thought to be one of the first
bongoceros to introduce the technique of using the
thumb and middle finger to produce a glissando effect
by running the finger across the skin, producing a
low pitched "braying" or "mooing" sound, which in
actuality was derived from the highly secretive
Ékue drum which plays a major role in Abakúa
rites, never leaves the Fambá (temple) and is rarely
ever heard by non Abakúa societal members.
The sound is meant to replicate the call of a Leopard.
(originally rooted in the Calabar region of Nigeria)

Agustín Gutiérrez - 1927

Agustín Gutiérrez - 1928

Agustín Gutiérrez third from left.

El coro dice:
"Agustin el bongocero, que tiene fama mundial 
ahora le va a repicar hasta que se rompe el cuero"
 Cuarteto Caney -1936 
Panchito Riset: vocal
"Sabrosito bongó"
Agustín Gutiérrez: bongoes

*************

"Loma De Belén"
Sexteto Habanero 1925
Agustín Gutiérrez: bongoes

"Yo No Tumba Caña"

Sexteto Habanero 1926

Agustín Gutiérrez: bongoes

"Elena La Cumbanchera"

Sexteto Habanero 1927

Agustín Gutiérrez: bongoes

"El Bongó Del Habanero"
Sexteto Habanero 1928
Agustín Gutiérrez: bongoes

*************
Septeto Nacional recorded in Madrid,1929

Bienvenido León: voc.

Juan De La Cruz: voc.
Lazaro Herrera: trumpet.

Ignacio Piñeiro: bass.
Agustín Gutiérrez: bongoes.
Eutimio Constantín: guitar.

Francisco Solares González: tres.

"El Que Siembra Su Maiz"
Septeto Nacional 1929
Agustín Gutiérrez: bongoes

"Bururún Barará"

Septeto Nacional 1929

Agustín Gutiérrez: bongoes

"A La Loma De Belén"

Septeto Nacional 1929
Agustín Gutiérrez: bongoes

"Aurora"
Septeto Nacional 1929
Agustín Gutiérrez: bongoes

"Maruxina"
Septeto Nacional 1929

Agustín Gutiérrez: bongoes

 *************

Agustín Gutiérrez with Conj. Clave y Guaguancó -1967

3. "Tumba La Caña"

Agustín Gutiérrez: quinto-cajón

 5. "Cuando Me Toca Mi"

Agustín Gutiérrez: quinto-cajón

7. "Sarabanda Kimbansero"

Agustín Gutiérrez: quinto-cajón

8. "Coco Mondanséré"

Agustín Gutiérrez: quinto-cajón

Conjunto Nasako

Agustín Gutiérrez playing Chekeré
Luis Santamaria (Mongo Santamaria's cousin) singing.
Jesús Pérez playing el hierro (guataca).
Sonia Calero dancing.
(3 drums made by Candido Requena)

"Ochun"

The drummer on the left in the photo below on the classic

Panart 'Guaguancó Afro-Cubano' LP is in the video above.

The drummer on the left is playing a tumbadora made by

Candido Requena... and the other drummer on the right is

playing my absolute favorite Quinto for the last 45 years.

I'd kill for a drum that exact shape and size.

(Nicolás Mauro: quinto)

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Profiles in greatness: "Papa Kila" Antolin Suárez - "Selected bongó works"

Antolin Suárez - 'Papa Kila'1951

These are likely the type of drums he was playing.

"Papa Kila" with Arsenio Rodriguez
1944

"Papa Kila" with Arsenio Rodriguez
1946

'Papa Kila'
with Conjunto Modelo
1953-'54

In 2008 I made a post of "selected solos"
by Rogelio "Yeyito" Iglesias,
These are "selected solos" by "Papa Kila" Antolin Suárez

Todos Seguimos La Conga
With Arsenio 1941
"Papa Kila" bongó solo

With Arsenio 1950
Kila, Quique y Chocolate
"Papa Kila" bongoes

Buena Vista En Guaguancó
With Arsenio live/en vivo 1948
"Papa Kila" bongó solo

* * * * *
Guaguancó En La Habana
With Conjunto Modelo '53,'54
"Papa Kila" bongoes

El Pajaro Y El Cazador
With Conjunto Modelo '53,'54
"Papa Kila" bongoes

No Hay Amor Sin Caridad
With Conjunto Modelo '53,'54
"Papa Kila" bongoes

Friday, June 25, 2010

Profiles in greatness: 'Florecita' Oscar Velasco O'Farrill - "Selected works"

'Florecita'
1938

Cuarteto Hatuey
1930's
Left to right:
Armando Dulfo, Evelio Machín,
Francisco "Compay Segundo" Repilado
Top: 'Florecita'

'Florecita' with El Conjunto Arsenio Rodriguez
1951

'Florecita' with El Conjunto Arsenio Rodriguez
1956

Lately I've been listening to a lot of music that has 'Florecita' playing trumpet, it is most often Felix Chappottin and Alfredo 'Chocolate' Armenteros who get all the attention and notoriety and they absolutely deserve it, as they are both uniquely great "Cuban trumpet stylists".
But rarely is the uniquely stylized trumpet playing of Oscar Velasco O'Farrill a.k.a. 'Florecita' given recognition.

There is a well known "music critic" who has stated: "Felix Chappottin was the Louis Armstrong of Cuba", I disagree, if arguably any comparison may be made to a "Cuban Louis Armstrong"... the title would be better associated with Oscar Velasco O'Farrill.
'Florecita' was older then Chocolate, older then Felix Chappottin, a generation before both of them.
It is common to hear trumpet players in Cuba "quote" or play like Chappottin and it is also common to hear trumpet players who are influenced by Alfredo 'Chocolate' Armenteros.

But you never hear anyone sound like, play like, or imitate 'Florecita', as he had a style and a sound totally unique and "soulfully Cuban".

Listen to Chappottin's early playing and the influence of 'Florecita' is clearly apparent.
There are many great trumpet players who were/are incredible "stylists": Enrique Hernández, Lazaro “El Jabao” Herrera, Juanito Rodger, Armando "El Gorilla" Albertini , Chappottin, Alfredo 'Chocolate' Armenteros, "El Guajiro" Mirabal, Gilberto Azcuy... all fabulous players within the "Son tipico" style, as opposed to El Negro" Vivar's "Cuban jazz" style or Julio Cuevas who I like and have always thought of as the Cuban Harry James.
But..... for me, 'Florecita' Oscar Velasco O'Farrill was "the Man".

There are other posts on this blog that have 'Florecita'

playing, but this post has some "selected works" that you can

distinctly hear Oscar Velasco O'Farrill's "style" and "sound".

With Arsenio Rodriguez y Su Conjunto
Me Dijo Que Sí Y Le Dije Que No 1951
'Florecita' short trumpet solo

With Arsenio Rodriguez y Su Conjunto
Guaragüí 1951
'Florecita' short trumpet solo

With Arsenio Rodriguez y Su Conjunto
Avaca De Maíz 1956
Comp: Silvano Shueg
'Florecita' : short trumpet solo near end

With Arsenio Rodriguez y Su Conjunto
Dame Tu Yoyo Ma Belen 1956
'Florecita' : 3 short trumpet solos

* * * * *

With Alberto Zayas' y Su Grupo
Las Jardineras
'Florecita' : short trumpet solo
Bongoes: Rogelio 'Yeyito' Iglesias

* * * * *

With Cheo Marquetti
Fuegos En Los Bomberos
'Florecita' : short trumpet solo.
Coro: Carlos Embale

With Cheo Marquetti
Hay Comentario
'Florecita' : two short trumpet solos.

* * * * *

With Miguelito Cuní & Niño Rivera
El Diablo Tun Tun
'Florecita' : Trumpet

Contradiccion
'Florecita' : Trumpet

With Miguelito Cuní & Niño Rivera
Con Amor Todo Se Olvida
'Florecita' : Trumpet

With Miguelito Cuní and Niño Rivera
Convergencia
'Florecita' : Trumpet

With Miguelito Cuní and Niño Rivera
Lo Mismo
'Florecita' : Trumpet

With Miguelito Cuní & Niño Rivera
Donde Va Chichi
'Florecita' : Trumpet

* * * * *

From Festival In Havana
Ignacio Piñeiro: arranger/leader
Tumbando Caña
'Florecita' : Trumpet

From Festival In Havana
La Chambelona
'Florecita' : Trumpet

From Festival In Havana
Tumba La Caña
'Florecita' : Trumpet

* * * * *

With Enrique Jorrin and Odilio Urfé
Conga Del Senador
'Florecita' : Trumpet

Donde Va Maria
'Florecita' : Trumpet

Bilongo
'Florecita' : Trumpet

Rumba
'Florecita' : Trumpet

Video of "Florecita" Here

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Profiles in greatness: Rogelio 'Yeyito' Iglesias - "selected bongó solos"

Rogelio 'Yeyito' Iglesias
(he was right handed but played like a lefty)

"Selected bongó solos" featuring one of Cubas most masterful and tasteful bongocero's during the 1950's and early 1960's, the great Rogelio "Yeyito" Iglesias.

Several obscure solos with the bands of Reynaldo Hierrezuelo, Caridad Hierrezuelo, Cheo Marquetti, Orquesta Sensacion, Orq."Yoyo" Casteleiro, classics with Cachao, Gilberto Valdés and Fernando Alvarez y Conjunto Casino.