Omara Portuondo
Fiesta Cubana (EuroArts 2058028, 2010)
Fiesta Cubana is a great opportunity to watch Omara Portuondo, one of the legendary voices of Cuba, still at her prime. She was recorded live with her band at the Tropicana in Havana, December 1-3 of 2009. It was a special occasion, celebrating the Tropicana’s 70th anniversary.
Even though this DVD is advertised as an Omara Portuondo video, you really get a double bill. There is a performance by Omara and her band, but there are also performances by the musicians and showgirls of the famed Cuban nightclub.
Omara Portuondo offers a vibrant and at the same time melancholic concert that includes boleros, son cubano, guajiras, mambos and jazz, with songs such as ‘Tal Vez’, ‘Amame Como Soy’, ‘Yo Vi’, and ‘La Sitiera’, as well as audience favorites like the perennial ‘Guantanamera’ and Chico Buarque’s ‘O Que Será’.
Her band during this concert includes Harold Lopez Nussa on piano; Omar Gonzalez on double bass; Andrés Coayo on percussion; Rodney Yllarza Barreto on drums and percussion; and Jorge Luis Valdes Chicoy on guitar. There is not a lot of information about the Tropicana’s musicians, but the house band is excellent.
The DVD features bonus material, which includes an interview with Omara Portuondo and a performance by equilibrists.
The Fiesta Cubana video celebrates the voice of Omara Portuondo, a living legend and one of the most recognizable voices in Cuban music.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
