Search - Compay Segundo :: Grandes Exitos

THE "must have" CD for Compay Segundo fans!!!

BVSC fanatic | United States | 06/26/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Francisco Repilado (aka Compay Segundo), now nearly 95 years old, is a living legend. He's a unique man who plays a unique instrument -- a hybrid of the tres and the guitar created by Compay to suit himself. No point in duplicating the description of the music so well provided by previous reviewers. Listening to it is a joy. For fans, this is a "MUST HAVE" CD. The numbers on this CD come from recording sessions spanning half a century and include popular Cuban songs that Compay made famous and that made Compay famous in Cuba, in Europe, and finally in the US. Several are his own compositions. If you can only afford one of Compay's CDs, then this should be the one. To those who enjoy this CD, let me HIGHLY recommend "Lo Mejor De La Vida". It includes some EXQUISITE cuts recorded in Spain with Martirio in 1997. "Es Mejor Vivir Así" may be the best song Compay has ever recorded. Lastly, those who enjoy Compay Segundo's music are likely (in my opinion) to appreciate the much younger Eliades Ochoa, and quite possibly the "Casa De La Trova" CD featuring a variety of older Afro-Cuban artists. Check them out. Need I even mention Buena Vista Social Club at this point? Didn't think so."

A real winner

M. H. Bayliss | 09/06/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Even though I feel like I have every key Cuban recording, I'm always on the lookout for great CD's, and this is one of them. Like Cuban Counterpoint (History of Son Montuno), this collection serves up many classic son, merengues, son montunos, with all great renditions. Compay Segundo sings nearly all of them along with some special guests -- almost every song is a classic. This disc has my favorite recording of Cuarto de Tula, a terrific son "el jardinero" and many more that will make you want to own this CD if you like classic Cuban son. Unlike Chanchaneando (another one in this "Roots of Buena Vista" Collection), this CD provides over 20 tracks with over an hour of music. You'll get your money's worth on this one."

Compay's Greatest Hits

Julian S. Brown | Arlington, VA United States | 09/08/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had never heard of the Buena Vista Social Club when I randomly picked up this CD at a listening booth at a record store and took a listen. I was astonished. I later bought the CD and listened to it non-stop for a week. As I learned about the BVSC and Cuba's rich musical history, I bought several CD's from the BVSC series (this one is NOT from that series but the "Roots of Buena Vista" series) and enjoyed them all. Grandes Exitos (Greatest Hits) is my favorite for several reasons: 1) Because the tracks were recorded at various times during the last 50 years, Compay's voice is higher and a bit more lively (maybe those Cuban cigars he's smoked since he was seven have deepened his voice); 2) The CD has three wonderful merengue songs, a Dominican latin style rarely utilized by Cuba's great talents; 3) There are 20 songs, all different and all of quality; 4) The sound quality of the CD is very solid -- compare "Chan-Chan" on this CD with that on BVSC, and 5) the CD is huge value at $13.The CD shows a much more versatile Segundo than either of his US released CD's. And he still teams with BVSC greats like Ochoa and Leyva on many of the singles. Buy it."