Songs from a Little Blue House

Amazon.com
Expatriate Cuban singer-songwriter and guitarist Juan-Carlos Formell's debut album packs a political wallop amid its lush romantic imagery and subtly cooking folk-jazz sound. "When the dictatorship ends," he sings, "I'm going to have a party... / And if it doesn't end, this song will knock it down." Although he's the son of Juan Formell, founder of Cuba's best-known dance band, Los Van Van, Juan-Carlos is more sit-down innovator than dance-floor shaker. He reinvigorates the lyrical potential of acoustic country son in songs that veil the political in the everyday. "Cangrejo (Crab)" discusses the dangerous choices of Cuba's boat people in lively call-and-response verses, and "Vaquito (Cow)" praises the simple things--a cow, a rooster, a cat--the embargoed island's poor can no longer afford. Formell's guitar playing, which shines in a trio of instrumentals, is equally elegant. Whether you agree with his politics or not, Formell is asking the right questions in a new and thoroughly captivating manner. --Richard Gehr

Songs from a Little Blue House,Juan-Carlos Formell,RCA,Cuba,Cuban,Int'l & World Music,Latin,Pop,Tropical,World Music

Average customer rating:

This is Cuba!

The real revolution

Like Pearls and Rubies

Nobody told me this!

Nobody told me this!

Songs from a Little Blue House
Juan-Carlos Formell
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Cuba | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music
General | International | Styles | Music
General | Latin Music | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Cemeteries & Desire

Calles Del Paraiso

Son Radical

ASIN: B00000IPY8
Release Date: 1999-06-01

Tracks:

Agua Dulce
Canto Del Delfin
Flores
Agua Bendita
Pajarillo
Cuba Sera Libre
Palo De Guayaba
Siguaraya
Cangrejo
La Vaquita
Boda En El Bosque
Mango Mangoey
Regreso De Jicotea

Amazon.com

Expatriate Cuban singer-songwriter and guitarist Juan-Carlos Formell's debut album packs a political wallop amid its lush romantic imagery and subtly cooking folk-jazz sound. "When the dictatorship ends," he sings, "I'm going to have a party... / And if it doesn't end, this song will knock it down." Although he's the son of Juan Formell, founder of Cuba's best-known dance band, Los Van Van, Juan-Carlos is more sit-down innovator than dance-floor shaker. He reinvigorates the lyrical potential of acoustic country son in songs that veil the political in the everyday. "Cangrejo (Crab)" discusses the dangerous choices of Cuba's boat people in lively call-and-response verses, and "Vaquito (Cow)" praises the simple things--a cow, a rooster, a cat--the embargoed island's poor can no longer afford. Formell's guitar playing, which shines in a trio of instrumentals, is equally elegant. Whether you agree with his politics or not, Formell is asking the right questions in a new and thoroughly captivating manner. --Richard Gehr

Customer Reviews:

This is Cuba!.......2004-09-22

Astonishing. "songs from a little blue house" is a seminal work of art that expresses and sums up the innate beauty of Cuba and its music --it is a sacred text, musically and in the lyrics, containing the alpha and omega of Cuban identity. SInger, songwriter, guitarist Juan-Carlos Formell is the Taliesin of Cuba and the profundity of his music is endless: each time you listen to it, you reach another level. This record matches the golden period of Dylan in the 1960s.
G.Bourdain

The real revolution.......2004-02-28

"Songs from a little blue house" is a revolutionary recording -- possibly one of the only concept records that has ever come out of Cuba, and what a concept it is. Juan-Carlos Formell, an extraordinary guitarist, bassist and songwriter, had to leave his homeland in order to record these exquisite, gently-sung songs that express his poetic sensibility and profound love of country.Like Bob Dylan, Formell uses traditional and folkloric themes to express new ideas: the record is a beautifully woven tapestry of song about the essence of Cuban identity. Beginning with the joyous dolphin's song in the overture, "Canto del delfin" and continuing through a landscape of poignant and bittersweet commentary, the songs describe a journey in search of Cuba's soul -- "Pajarillo" asks "where has the little bird that carried me over the river to the cane fields gone?"; "Palo de guayaba", is about the sacred guava pole, "hard to break," a symbol of Cuban resilience. The music builds to a crescendo with "A Cuba Nos Vamos", his expression of defiance against Castro's repression that is followed by his passionate assertion of his and Cuba's ultimate survival. This record sets a new standard for Cuban and all Latin music. It is miles better than "Buena Vista Social Club" and way more innovative and interesting than the work of Brazilian songwriters Veloso and Nascimento.

Like Pearls and Rubies.......2003-12-22

This Grammy-nominated debut recording is a miracle: flawless from beginning to end. Formell is a magnificent guitar player, and his songs are gems strung together to create a tiara of Cuban music as it has never been heard before. His voice is the prefect companion to the deceptively gentle music, that flows like a river therough Cuban music history.

Nobody told me this!.......2002-07-31

I don't like to waste time writing reviews for CDs I didn't like, but in this case I think is fair that someone tell an important detail about it. First, let me be fair, the music, the instruments performance and the recording quality of this CD are wonderful, but,sorry, this man has a very weak voice. I would prefer him to let other people to sing their beautiful songs, this CD could be perfect that way. But I don't like Bob Dylan's voice either, so is your final decision. Hear the samples.

Nobody told me this!.......2002-07-31