Havana Crazy
Gabriel has been having some great adventures at Cubadisco hanging out with the likes of Reve, Manolito, Pupy, Salsa Mayor and everyone's new fave band Havana D'Primera.
She wrote something that i missed first time around that I've thought a lot about lately.
People in both Cuba and Australia ask me why I come to Havana every year: this is why. Because the music takes me closer to god. And as an atheist, well I guess that’s all I’ve got. And as long as I can keep coming here, I guess it’s all I need.
Gabriel also writes about Pupy's loss of trumpeter Chocolate and singer Pepito, whose final show was the night after they were in Toronto on Saturday
......the bigger problems for Pupy are: finding a replacement for the imminent tour of Europe, and what to do about the CD, which was ready for release and features Pepito on half of the songs. For the first, he is considering two singers that I know of (and possibly more that I don't), but I'll wait until I have something solid before I report further.
It's hard to replace a singer.If it was up to me I'd just put the damn record out anyway.
I agree. I'd just release it. With all the comings and goings in Cuban bands I don't think it's really that important to have the CD match the current singer line up.
Anyway, you guys have been pretty quiet in terms of concert reports expect to say it was awesome.
Posted by: Michelle | 05/29/2008 at 12:55
M: Nobody here seems to have journalistic tendencies ;-) ... it was the best show yet of Cuban bands in Toronto... no surprises, good crowd, good vibe, great hall and great stage. Reminds me so much of Casa de la Musica Galiana, that kind of dissolute grandness.
It's a great stage, but every body and his dog was allowed up there, it was a party... a bit too much of a party... to the extent it somewhat interfered with the show at times.
More important, who's working on the best of Gab collection: dickhead-free zone, taut sweaty abdomen (not that she noticed), among the latest ;-)
Posted by: | 05/29/2008 at 13:17
I couldn't write a concert review to save my life.
mandy is tall. Bon bon may be better than Samuel Formell, or may only be just as good. Pupy had a new pair of jeans. Dicen que Dicen is still one of my fave songs. they played a couple of new songs off the album that
a) Melao didnt get me a copy of
b) that will be rerecorded with other vocalists
I like the idea of compiling Gab's Bon Mots
Posted by: bb | 05/29/2008 at 13:29
Definitely someone needs to keep a Gab's bon mots list. She cracks me up.
Billy my hat is off to you if you can tell when the bandleaders are wearing a new pair of jeans. Now THAT'S serious geek level!
Maybe there are pirate copies of the first "pepito version" of the CD in Havana. We should ask Gab to look into it. It is always great to have the radio demos and the various interpretations of as many songs as possible. I know the bandleaders want to have only the "official" version, but in terms of timba studies and for preserving as much as possible for posterity, I think it's great to find as many version of a song as possible.
Posted by: Michelle | 05/29/2008 at 14:24
I'm really down about the news that Pepito left the band. In my opinion, his voice was one which has been cemented in Los Que Son Son for a few years now.
On another note, I too believe that it was the best concert yet. I'm only hoping that the concerts keep coming because I love visiting Toronto & hearing the music I love. Excellent job Billy & Sophie.
One question, did Pepito stay in Canada or he just decided to leave the band, regardless of the answer, it's an unfortunate loss.
Posted by: Rafelito from Miami | 05/30/2008 at 15:49
Rafeilito; Pepito is your city!!
Posted by: bb | 05/30/2008 at 16:04
I know, I just found out yesterday through Melao. Crazy!!
Posted by: Rafelito | 06/03/2008 at 21:20