Introducing...Rubén González

Amazon.com essential recording
Cuban pianist Rubén González has lived through this century's greatest musical windstorms, from the emergence of son to salsa to Latin Jazz and more. Born in 1919, González also retired from playing professionally years before this, his debut CD, was even recorded. He reemerged in 1996 when World Circuit stopped in Cuba to record for several days. He ended up making a thrilling debut. This impromptu CD was cut in a day, and its limber vibe shines for all its uptempo looseness. González plays a rainbow of Cuban rhythms and prods his percussionists and lone trumpeter to great depths of conversation and great heights of flash. --Andrew Bartlett

Tracks:

La Enganadora
Cumbanchero
Tres Lindas Cubanas
Melodia Del Rio
Mandinga
Siboney
Almendra
Tumbao
Como Siento Yo

Amazon.com essential recording

Cuban pianist Rubén González has lived through this century's greatest musical windstorms, from the emergence of son to salsa to Latin Jazz and more. Born in 1919, González also retired from playing professionally years before this, his debut CD, was even recorded. He reemerged in 1996 when World Circuit stopped in Cuba to record for several days. He ended up making a thrilling debut. This impromptu CD was cut in a day, and its limber vibe shines for all its uptempo looseness. González plays a rainbow of Cuban rhythms and prods his percussionists and lone trumpeter to great depths of conversation and great heights of flash. --Andrew Bartlett

Customer Reviews:

An un/rediscovered gem!.......2007-01-10

Having just seen the movie "Buena Vista Social Club", I needed to hear more wonderful music from the principal musicians and singers. Special thanks should go to Ry Cooder and his son for rediscovering this historic music before they all passed.( Of whom most already have.)
All the musicians and singers are very special in their own singular, as well as collective right, but my personal favorite is Ruben Gonzalez on piano. What a Gem! I urge anyone who loves Afro-Cuban Jazz to add this to your collection, you WILL NOT be disappointed!

A must buy for anyone that likes Cuban music.......2005-11-28

A friend introduced me to this CD and I think I might wear it out. Three of the songs are his own compositions, while the rest of the songs are Cuban favorites. Ruben approaches these these pieces with a unique light and and lively style. The music is infectious and makes you want to get up and dance.

There is a nice variety. Unlike with some folk music where after you've heard a few songs it starts to sound the same--each song here is a gem of its own. This is one of those CDs where you will like every song.

Farewell to Ruben Gonzalez.......2003-12-10

On Monday, December 8, 2003, Ruben Gonzalez died at the unregretful age of 84. Farewell to an unbelievably charismatic and talented musician! His death is the sad realistic reminder that as great musicians like him grow old and die, so does a priceless era of music that will never be emulated.

Sadly no longer with us..........2003-12-10

Ruben Gonzalez no longer is with us. He passed away yesterday. At least he lived a life worth living! He was one of the best Latin pianists ever, one of those (like a friend said) that you just don't find any more. He combined technique and charm in a way that few have been able to. Fortunately for the rest of the world, Ry Cooder discovered him, along with Ibrahim Ferrer and a host of other Cuban geniuses of Latin music with his Buena Vista Social Club initiative. After that album, this "Introductory" recording presented Ruben Gonzalez's work to the world in a more focused way. You are bound to respect this gentleman once you take a listen to this album. Ruben Gonzalez: descansa en paz!

The Past Re-Introducing Itself to the Ever-Emerging Present.......2003-08-22

Ry Cooder once described Ruben Gonzalez as, "A Cuban cross between Thelonius Monk and Felix the Cat." Ruben Gonzalez is no Thelonius Monk...and I cannot really say if he is Felix the Cat...but he is definitely an extremely rare piece of jazz history...an "endangered species" of sorts in comparison to today's lacklustre jazz scene. Thanks to the re-emergence of mostly forgotten Cuban musicians in the late 90's through such vehicles as the Afro-Cuban All-Stars and the Buena Vista Social Club, the world...or at least a portion of it...has had the opportunity to experience a truly unique skill and sound that once flourished. This description of Ruben Gonzalez's music cannot do him justice. When you listen to him either pounding out or softly lifting notes off the piano keys, feelings of excitement, nostalgia, appreciation, comfort, and reflection can all rise to the surface. His skill is difficult to match; his love of music nearly impossible to emulate. Ruben Gonzalez "is" the music he creates and plays...a living example of the musical past re-introducing itself to the ever-emerging present.

Rock Music:

Rock Music

rock music

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