Mambo Birdland [Live]

Mambo Birdland [Live]

ASIN: B00001P4SE

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Music Reviews
Fittingly, Tito Puente's final album (save for a collaboration with Eddie Palmieri) finds the great bandleader-percussionist taking a young audience into the past with an in-concert set of classics including the title track, "Ban Ban Quere," and, of course, "Oye Como Va." The energy never wanes as Puente visits his many styles ("Cha Cha Cha Mambo," for one) and tempos. Particularly hot is the percussive breakdown on "Guaguanco Margarito," which is both smashing and subtle in the way of only the very finest jazz. "I'm gettin' to ya!" the ebullient Mambo King exclaims more than once between songs; he sounds as if he were just as pleased as in the midcentury years he spent inventing this music. Mambo Birdland won a 2000 Grammy (for Best Traditional Tropical Latin Performance), Puente's fifth. --Rickey Wright

Tracks:

Lullaby Of Birdland
Mambo Inn
Cayuco
Complicacion
Mambo En Blues
Babarabatiri
A Donde Vas
Flauta Y Timbal
Mas Bajo
Cua Cua

Amazon.com

It has been 40 years since Tito's first Dancemania album captured the explosion of Latin sound from his band, who were then packing in the dancers at New York's Palladium. This live album recaptures that feel, using a bigger band than the original, but the same arrangements. The major difference is that this time the soloists have more space in which to stretch out, and they take full advantage of the opportunity. But at the same time, this is Latin jazz that never forgets it was made for dancing. The rhythms percolate and boil, the horns reach for the sky, and everybody just wants to mambo. Not many people get a chance to remake and remodel their past this way; even fewer could do it this well. --Chris Nickson

Customer Reviews:

Finally.......2001-12-12

I was out of luck trying to find a live Tito set with good quality. Finally, this came along. Plays some of his more classic tunes, and they sound tight! Great vocalist Frankie Morales featured. Tito even turns out a solo on track 8 that will amaze you, especially since he's in his mid 70s and still jams better than most percussionists out there on timbales.

Tito Puente was the greatest of them all.......2001-10-31

It was about 1953, that I first heard of Tito Puente and his orchestra. It was in an LP with many other latin orchestras. In it there was a bolero "Si me dis ques' ce si" or something. Perhaps you have heard it! It was very very romantic. Tito Puente was the percussionist and the vibes player. Vocalist was Vicentico Valdez.
Later, I studied civil engineering in Graz-Austria where Tito Puente, Perez Prado, Xavier Cugat, Noro Morales and all the great latin bands were practically unknown. I bought the LP "Cha Cha Cha for Lovers", a TICO recording, as well as two 45rpm's of RCA Victor.
After many years I started again listening to his evergreen music. His music reminds me of my youth.
Tito Puente was very popular in Greece, which he visited about three times.Unfortunately, I could not meet him and tell him that he had a very good friend without knowing it.
I was very sorry to hear that he died
Nicky Malakis

Great live album by " El Rey Del Timbal".......2001-06-07

This is the first ever cd that I got of Tito Puente not having known who he was before I got this recording I'm sure glad my parents told me about his music. The reason the cd is so great is because it brings you back to the Palladium days music. With songs like Cua Cua, Mambo Inn and Lullaby Of Birdland to name a few. Plus featring Dave Valentin on flute on the song Flauta Y Timbal that is why I think this cd is worth your money. So if you are just getting into latin jazz or want something great to listen to then this cd is for you.

Tito-we will miss you.........2000-07-29

This is the last recording from Tito before he left us. It is everything you'd expect from a great Tito Puente recording, and live. Amazing new versions of older material, still true to the feel of the long-ago Palladium days. If you have even the slightest interest in Latin Jazz, or latin music in general, this is well worth your while. A guaranteed classic. Buy it and groove to the finest.

One of the best CDs of the year.......1999-12-18

This is an outstanding recording that shows that Puente is still a master. The arrangements are tight, the soloists sizzle, and every track makes one want to dance.

Average customer rating:

Carambola: Live at Birdland (1951)
Machito & His Afro-cubans
Manufacturer: Tumbao
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Cuba | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Mambo | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Latin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000027WNO
Release Date: 1995-03-21

Jazz Music:

Jazz Music

Jazz Music