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Comments

• [1] Sophie from NYC October 14, 2008 - 02:16PM

  Unfortunately, I wasn't at the concert at Carnegie Hall and would have given (almost) anything to attend. Listening to the recording of the concert sends shivers down my spine.

  The Buena Vista Social Club was a fantastic project and hats off to Ry for undertaking it so successfully. Bravo! If it weren't for Ry, we would never have been fortunate enough to hear the beautiful music of that Ibrahim, Compay and his friends.

  
  
• [2] Lisa Beck from New York, NY October 14, 2008 - 02:26PM

  I remember sitting in the audience waiting for the show to begin. I was one of the many young non- cuban audience members- the excitement was palpable. When the show started it was like a rocket taking off. How wonderful that these "old" musicians could keep the spirit of their music alive and fan the flames back to life at Carnegie Hall.

  
  
• [3] Jane Davenport from Manhattan October 14, 2008 - 02:46PM

  My husband and I didn't get a chance to see the Buena Vista Social Club at Carnegie Hall, so I bought tickets online for their performance in Minneapolis that fall, having never been to Minneapolis before. A very memorable experience -- it was wonderful and worth the time and money. The crowd at the U. of Minn. was very excited, as were we.

  A wonderful memory.............

  It was great to hear Ry Cooder on your show today.

  
  
• [4] Rodrigo from New York October 14, 2008 - 02:48PM

  I was lucky to be at the concert at Carnegie Hall.I arrived early and I ran into assistants for Wim Wenders who told me they were working on a documentary about Buena Vista so I knew this was going to be special.The movie does capture some wonderful moments but it missed one special moment when a stage assistant tried to escort Ruben Gonzalez off the stage before Ruben was ready to leave,he brushed away the stage assistant's hand and the audience noticed.We all laughed ! Ruben sat down and continued to play another song.Thank you Ry for organizing this concert and Wim for filming.

  
  
• [5] Benjamin de Menil from New York October 14, 2008 - 04:57PM

  Thanks - great program John and Carolina! FYI, we're releasing early 2009 a whole series of new recordings of the Bachata Roja Legends: Ramon Cordero, El Chivo Sin Ley, Edilio Paredes and others. The original Bachata Roja - which you sampled on today's show - differs from Buena Vista in one important way: it is a compilation of original recordings from the classic period. The new series comprises new recordings and so has a stronger parallel.

  Best,

  Benjamin de Menil

  www.iasorecords.com

  
  
• [6] Lisa Hendrickson from Manhattan October 15, 2008 - 09:17AM

  BVSC was an anomaly in the music industry. I think that Ry Cooder was key to making the sound something that American audiences could hear and take in as their own.

  I believe in our consumerist culture, cracking the marketing code in any musical genre will have it crossover and be accepted by the mainstream. Remember when rap was a fringe element? Now you can hear kids rapping on a commercial for luncheon meat.

  
  
• [7] Jacob Manusama from Ridderkerk; The Netherlands October 21, 2008 - 02:36PM

  Wasn't at Carnegie Hall. But I've been at the shows in Amsterdam in The Royal Carré Theatre. Still remember those shows as nothing less than a miracle & absolutely magic. Always thought it kind of a shame the whole show wasn't released as a concert Video/DVD. Listened to this Carnegie Hall 2CD; & loved it; but the Carré shows were really special, maybe not as colourful, but a life time musical experience!!!!