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Rubén González — Mandinga
Album: Introducing Rubén González
Avg rating:
7.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2528









Released: 1997
Length: 8:25
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Medley alert! 
Posted 1 month ago by bruceandjenna    [ Reply ]
 zaebb wrote:


Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 rp29125 wrote:

Please check out all the Buena Vista Social Club stuff and the musicians that comprise it. 



I did not realize that he played with them. I have 6 of their tunes on "My Favorites" list. Thank You.
Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 joejennings wrote:
GREAT!!  I never heard of him before.  Thanx RP!   Please play more tunes by him!!   

Please check out all the Buena Vista Social Club stuff and the musicians that comprise it. 
Posted 1 year ago by rp29125    [ Reply ]
 Laptopdog wrote:

That man really knows how to tickle those ivories.




Sadly, he died almost 20 years ago.
Posted 1 year ago by NeilBlanchard    [ Reply ]
 Laptopdog wrote:

That man really knows how to tickle those ivories.




I  Agree!
Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
That man really knows how to tickle those ivories.
Posted 2 years ago by Laptopdog    [ Reply ]
GREAT!!  I never heard of him before.  Thanx RP!   Please play more tunes by him!!   
Posted 2 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
"Mr. Presidente, I believe some of your people may be calling for an election next year."
Posted 2 years ago by timmus    [ Reply ]
 zaebb wrote:


My a$$ hurts, just by looking at this
Posted 3 years ago by jugece    [ Reply ]
I like the bongo player's face.....lol
Posted 3 years ago by pigtail    [ Reply ]
 lizardking wrote:

+1 my 8 rating is now a 9, mostly due to Ruben's playing....though this gif does get some of the credit too....LLRP!!


Doesn't she ever get tired?
Posted 3 years ago by dougalbumski    [ Reply ]
PURE. JOY
Posted 3 years ago by luminouslass    [ Reply ]
 ezzyme wrote:
Beats the heck out of reggae.
 
 

You mean like the color green beats the heck out of the color blue? I think they both are muey bueno!
Posted 3 years ago by bluematrix    [ Reply ]
so salsa
Posted 4 years ago by scratchou74    [ Reply ]
Posted 4 years ago by JeffoFitts    [ Reply ]
 Cynaera wrote:
Thank you, as always, Calypsus_1, for the wonderful picture.  The guy was a master. Perhaps his music wasn't to everyone's liking, but he was definitely a talented pianist (I think of Victor Borge, who played the comedian, but he was a virtuoso on piano. He could even play classical pieces backwards.)

And this song makes me want to do a samba or a mambo-waltz-hustle on a table.  With a rose in my teeth. How many metaphors did I mix in that sentence? (Sorry - I'm running a fever, so stuff just comes out...If I remember what I wrote, I'll go back and edit it later.)
 

Wild thing, happy rambler: we still miss you.
Posted 4 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
This is terrific music.
Posted 4 years ago by iloveradio    [ Reply ]
 zaebb wrote:
 
+1 my 8 rating is now a 9, mostly due to Ruben's playing....though this gif does get some of the credit too....LLRP!!
Posted 4 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
Azucar
Posted 4 years ago by sergioso    [ Reply ]
Cha Cha Cha 
Posted 4 years ago by mgtom    [ Reply ]
Playful, joyful, sweet, and disarming. 
Posted 5 years ago by easmann    [ Reply ]
Posted 5 years ago by zaebb    [ Reply ]
Posted 5 years ago by zaebb    [ Reply ]
 dchapple338 wrote:
Wonderful. I'm no musician so please advise ... does he play every note on the keyboard?
 

Yes.  Some of them, twice.
Posted 5 years ago by shockwavewriter    [ Reply ]
I hear the opening to "Sex in the City" when this tune begins.
Anybody else?
Posted 5 years ago by the_jake    [ Reply ]
Excerpt from Russian "Black Eyes" romance song was so unexpected!
Posted 5 years ago by shutkov    [ Reply ]
 mrselfdestruct wrote:
This is pretty good except for that part when the toddler walks across the piano keys.
 

Lol. At first, I thought like "come on man, be an adult when you reply to a piece of music you just might not understand..." but than I listened across the toddler part, and, haha, I kinda feel the same actually, whahaha. But hey, that's jazz sometimes right? Genius people that get carried away sometimes. Hard to stay aboard I guess, heh ^_^.

Still very much appreciate this swingy tune though. however, in the "Rubén goes solo" part the swing-vibe kinda gets lost though. My opinion though. I'm not that much of a dancer anyway, haha.
Posted 6 years ago by Robin1986    [ Reply ]
Wonderful. I'm no musician so please advise ... does he play every note on the keyboard?
Posted 6 years ago by dchapple338    [ Reply ]
Wow. Thanks for playing this.
Posted 6 years ago by ExpatLarry    [ Reply ]
Love this. Would also welcome texmex, with the tubas and concertinas.
Posted 6 years ago by okskyhi    [ Reply ]
I dance {#Bananapiano} 
Posted 6 years ago by asfoura    [ Reply ]
So damn good.
Posted 6 years ago by Tippster    [ Reply ]
awesome
Posted 6 years ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
Dire
Posted 6 years ago by Gerry941    [ Reply ]
Buying this tune thanks RP
Posted 7 years ago by jjtwister    [ Reply ]
Great! My feet are dancing by themselves with this rhythm {#Bananasplit}
Posted 7 years ago by Alexey_Zhukov    [ Reply ]
 ciarataylor wrote:
Finally — no 1965 Van Morrison, (last played in 2012 apparently!)   Awww - having trouble kick starting your career in 1965 Van?  Then you should have learned to sing in a non-repetitive and listenable manner!   Just stick to the sax, do not sing.  Same goes with Diana Krall.  Just stick with tickling the ivories hun.  That breathy voice is flat to listen and extremely irritating for that reason.  Maybe Diana and Van could just walk into the sunset with some duo.  Take Elvis Costello with them.  Somebody obviously led him in the wrong direction when they said he could sing. omg he's terrible.

Yes yes yes: this is music! 

 
Blasphemy. No one gets away with dissing Van! Not on my watch anyway. {#Naughty} 
You are right about this tune though.{#Bananapiano}
Posted 7 years ago by nomnol    [ Reply ]
This is pretty good except for that part when the toddler walks across the piano keys.
Posted 7 years ago by mrselfdestruct    [ Reply ]
Finally — no 1965 Van Morrison, (last played in 2012 apparently!)   Awww - having trouble kick starting your career in 1965 Van?  Then you should have learned to sing in a non-repetitive and listenable manner!   Just stick to the sax, do not sing.  Same goes with Diana Krall.  Just stick with tickling the ivories hun.  That breathy voice is flat to listen and extremely irritating for that reason.  Maybe Diana and Van could just walk into the sunset with some duo.  Take Elvis Costello with them.  Somebody obviously led him in the wrong direction when they said he could sing. omg he's terrible.

Yes yes yes: this is music! 
Posted 7 years ago by ciarataylor    [ Reply ]
Love it! Great background music while I work away in my office!
Posted 7 years ago by franklyspeaking    [ Reply ]
Few recordings or performances are beyond description. This is one.

The very point of music.

Enjoy? Ooh yus, missus 'n' mistra.

All over the dancefloor.

M
Posted 8 years ago by Martingo    [ Reply ]
Absolutely brilliant!{#Clap}{#Sunny}{#Bananapiano}Dancer
Posted 8 years ago by VH1    [ Reply ]
8 )
Posted 8 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
I've never heard this version before, very nice. Thank you RP!  For others that like this, BVSC (with Rubén González) did a fine live recording of this and many of their others at Carnegie Hall in '98 as well.
Posted 8 years ago by viajeros    [ Reply ]
 MrsTom wrote:
Appreciate that this may be great for some but in my present mood it's setting my teeth on edge 

 
Take a toke and kick back.
Posted 8 years ago by Tippster    [ Reply ]
Beautifull, and I can't help thinking of this scene from the cult movie (in France) "La cité de la peur".

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1incf_la-carioca_fun
Posted 9 years ago by FrnaZ    [ Reply ]
Appreciate that this may be great for some but in my present mood it's setting my teeth on edge 
Posted 9 years ago by MrsTom    [ Reply ]
 fitmartin wrote:
Bravo RP for playing this quality artist!

many thanks!

 
This is an 11 for me! Bravo!   {#Mrgreen}
Posted 9 years ago by fitmartin    [ Reply ]
Bravo RP for playing this quality artist!

many thanks!
Posted 9 years ago by fitmartin    [ Reply ]
 Andres-7 wrote:
Sucks!
RP should get rid of this kind of music.
 

 
Understandable if you've been surrounded by this kind of music your entire life. So be patient and indulge the rest of us for a few minutes. This too shall pass.
Posted 9 years ago by wgsu_1978    [ Reply ]
Really like this!  Thanks for playing it, RP. 
Posted 9 years ago by AbileneTexas    [ Reply ]
Beats the heck out of reggae.
 
Posted 9 years ago by ezzyme    [ Reply ]
 Andres-7 wrote:
Sucks!
RP should get rid of this kind of music.
 

 
{#Iamwithstupid}  {#Iamwithstupid}  {#Iamwithstupid}  {#Iamwithstupid}  {#Iamwithstupid}  {#Iamwithstupid} 
Posted 9 years ago by MassivRuss    [ Reply ]
 j1sey wrote:
love it!  please RP, more!

 
Yessss please!
Posted 9 years ago by fitmartin    [ Reply ]
love it!  please RP, more!
Posted 9 years ago by j1sey    [ Reply ]
Sucks!
RP should get rid of this kind of music.
 
Posted 9 years ago by Andres-7    [ Reply ]
Aaahhhh thank you for this!

Ruben's playing is/was so wonderful — that scene from BV Social Club where he just plays & plays his music for the young gymnasts who were practicing in that incredible post-Colonial attic space.....
Posted 9 years ago by S-curvy    [ Reply ]
Good stuff!
Posted 9 years ago by AbileneTexas    [ Reply ]
 Bluesgrrl wrote:
Hey, I'm supposed to be working on my taxes and I keep running to the piano to try out one of the licks!
{#Bananapiano} 
Yes, excellent piano and vibe, let's dance!
 

Posted 9 years ago by fitmartin    [ Reply ]
 meauclaire wrote:
Doesn't this ever end?

 
Am mesmerised, and this can go on for a lonnnnnng time before I will be bored.
Posted 9 years ago by Rotterdam    [ Reply ]
likee McLikee
Posted 10 years ago by jocelynsart    [ Reply ]
Piano orgasm {#Doh}
Posted 10 years ago by pankman    [ Reply ]
Doesn't this ever end?
Posted 10 years ago by meauclaire    [ Reply ]
 j1sey wrote:
this album got me all the way thru eastern colorado!

 
This song seems long enough for that by itself.
Posted 10 years ago by MJMJ    [ Reply ]
Hey, I'm supposed to be working on my taxes and I keep running to the piano to try out one of the licks!
{#Bananapiano} 
Posted 10 years ago by Bluesgrrl    [ Reply ]
Me gusta!
Posted 10 years ago by rdviola    [ Reply ]
{#Bananasplit}yes, indeed @ !!!!!  the reason bananas' dance...and another reason RY COODER deserves every dime he ever makes
Posted 10 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
this album got me all the way thru eastern colorado!
Posted 11 years ago by j1sey    [ Reply ]
Crikey.  I thought the radio had re-tuned to BBC Radio 2 
Posted 11 years ago by Jim_Messenger    [ Reply ]
Not bad!
Posted 11 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
Reminds me of my travels to and around Cuba. Yeeehaaa
Posted 11 years ago by prickelpit96    [ Reply ]
Yeah, man...feels like a hot salsa night at Cafe Havana in Cartagena with a knockout local gal, and mojitos and dancing all night long...  LOVE IT!
Posted 11 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
love the Latin sound!

thanks sooooooooo much!
Posted 11 years ago by fitmartin    [ Reply ]
Amo esta obra, me gustaría vivir en ella.
Posted 11 years ago by Strada4Ever    [ Reply ]
 rdo wrote:
Any film buffs here might note the "Mandingo" fight scene that took place in QT's latest.  Great film.  Mandingo fighting is a fiction, of course.  Never happened.

 
That was a pretty entertaining film, but I'm not sure what it had to do with the pre-Civil War South. Much more historically faithful to blaxploitation films of the 70s, but I think that's Tarantino's thing: reality as interpreted and narrated by movies. 

That shootout in the mansion was hysterically OTT.  
Posted 11 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
compared to cowpie in the sand how can anyone say this killer tune is to long..... idiots.{#Bananapiano}
Posted 11 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
 Cynaera wrote:
Thank you, as always, Calypsus_1, for the wonderful picture.  The guy was a master. Perhaps his music wasn't to everyone's liking, but he was definitely a talented pianist (I think of Victor Borge, who played the comedian, but he was a virtuoso on piano. He could even play classical pieces backwards.)

And this song makes me want to do a samba or a mambo-waltz-hustle on a table.  With a rose in my teeth. How many metaphors did I mix in that sentence? (Sorry - I'm running a fever, so stuff just comes out...If I remember what I wrote, I'll go back and edit it later.)
 

Miss you so much, Cynaera...

love this song...
 
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
I went to the kitchen for a coffee, then decided to go mow the lawn, after which I went down the shops for a loaf of bread.

When I got back, the song was still playing.

I like it though, seems to be the general impression - invokes a lazy drunken sunday afternoon feeling, on a crowded balcony in, art deco style, overlooking the streets below, chain smoking strong french cigarettes and waiting for the lady with the red rose to arrive...
Posted 11 years ago by bb_matt    [ Reply ]
Any film buffs here might note the "Mandingo" fight scene that took place in QT's latest.  Great film.  Mandingo fighting is a fiction, of course.  Never happened.
Posted 11 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
 WonderLizard wrote:
The shame of it is that for way too long he was a state-ordered piano teacher in a state-sponsored school. What the world missed. The whole album is transcendent.
 
Quite right, Wonder. O fthe three albums originally produced by World Circuit (Afro-Cuban All Stars, Buena Vista Social Club and Introducing Ruben) this is my favourite by a country mile. The production is tight, the sound is neat and the result is a lovely and crafty mix of Cuban styles.

Greetings from London. 
Posted 11 years ago by cubaninlondon    [ Reply ]
 Tippster wrote:

Dos Mojitos, por favor.

 
Que sean tres.
Posted 12 years ago by Bleyfusz    [ Reply ]
Never been to Cuba, but when I hear those guys playing, it feels like I would share the same room with them. Unexplainable. It's like they'd always lived just around the corner.
Posted 12 years ago by Bleyfusz    [ Reply ]
                                          {#Bananapiano}
Posted 12 years ago by bluecshells    [ Reply ]
My, how this puts me in the mood...Cafe Havana, hot Cuban salsa all night, fab mojitos, soaking up Cartagena's catchy magic for a week, jugo de lulo, coctel mariscos, y mas...in just 4 days!  Can't wait!  
Posted 12 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
very pleasant to listen to on a dreary afternoon while i suffer at work with a cold  :)
Posted 12 years ago by rlr511    [ Reply ]
The shame of it is that for way too long he was a state-ordered piano teacher in a state-sponsored school. What the world missed. The whole album is transcendent.
Posted 12 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
 fredriley wrote:

In the immortal words of Joe Strummer on The Magnificent Seven, "f*ckin' long, innit?" ;-|

   
casey1024 wrote:

Yessir, it is!

 
Given some of the crap he put out, Joe's a fine one to talk. 

It's 8:27 long. Hardly the Bataan Death March, folks. 

Great story, CubanInLondon—cheers!

Posted 12 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
 

joseseng wrote:
This this is long, I dozed it off and I came to and it was still playing. Don't get me wrong, I like it.
 
Lol, me too. It's good but long!!! 6.
Posted 12 years ago by Huey    [ Reply ]
I met the geezer when I was a teeny, weeny knee-high grasshopper. He came around my house a few times to have some arrangements made by my dad. Then he disappeared until the Buena Vista Social Club phenomenon happened. You couldn't find a humbler human being. It makes me proud to have met him and to have choreographed one of his songs, too, from this album. If I had to choose a record of the three that first came out of the BVC collective, this would be the one. Ahhh... and I also heard him play once on our old upright piano at home. I never told my dad that Ruben had upstaged him! :-) Then again, years later and before I relocated to the UK, someone on Cuban telly said that the best pianist he'd ever come across was... my dad! :-D

A Cuban In London

Greetings from London.
Posted 12 years ago by cubaninlondon    [ Reply ]
Great song! Really caught my attention. {#Dancingbanana}
Posted 12 years ago by krillkrill    [ Reply ]
Oh, I LIKE this.
Posted 12 years ago by SinisterDexter    [ Reply ]
 bokey wrote:
Nice.I want a rum drink.
 
Dos Mojitos, por favor.

Posted 12 years ago by Tippster    [ Reply ]
Nice. I want a rum drink.
Posted 13 years ago by bokey    [ Reply ]
INCREDIBLE!
Posted 13 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
 Andy_B wrote:
One of the few 10's I've given, but then I'm partial to hot, sultry Cuban music.  He was an absolute master of it.
 
Yep, sort of a tropical Errol Garner.
Posted 13 years ago by Otomi    [ Reply ]
One of the few 10's I've given, but then I'm partial to hot, sultry Cuban music.  He was an absolute master of it.
Posted 13 years ago by Andy_B    [ Reply ]
BRAVO!  LOVE THIS!  ADDING TO MY COLLECTION.  AND I THOUGHT THELONIUS MONK WAS MY FAV...HMMM

Posted 13 years ago by bluecshells    [ Reply ]
If you like this tune, you might want to check out the following artists:

- Chucho Valdez
- Bebo Valdez (Chucho's dad)
- Gonzalo Rubalcaba

They are all Cuban pianists.

The first two played together in Fernando Trueba's "Calle 54".
You can see an interesting review of this film here.
Many great "latin jazz" artists are featured in this film.

Gonzalo Rubalcaba's rich and complex interpretation of
jazz is worth checking out, as well as experiencing
via live concerts. {#Sunny}

While you are at it, you might also want to
check out other Fernando Trueba's films


Posted 13 years ago by 4merdj    [ Reply ]

Buena Vista Social Club by ~angelmecanico
Carlos Manuel Valdez Coronel ©2010 ~angelmecanico

Termine

Buena Vista Social Club fue un club social de La Habana, Cuba, donde sus miembros practicaban actividades relativas al baile y a la música, volviéndose un sitio muy popular donde se encontraban y jugaban los que de él formaban parte. En los años 1990, casi 50 años después de haber sido cerrado el club, inspiró una grabación hecha por el músico cubano Juan de Marcos González y el guitarrista norteamericano Ry Cooder con los tradicionales músicos cubanos, muchos de ellos antiguos miembros del club en el que se presentaron cuando su popularidad estaba en el tope. La grabación, nombrada Buena Vista Social Club, después de esa institución de La Habana, se volvió éxito internacional y el grupo se vio encorajado a presentarse con su formación completa en Amsterdam en 1998. El director de cine alemán Wim Wenders grabó la presentación, seguida de un segundo concierto en el Carnegie Hall, de Nueva York

En Orden de Izquierda a Derecha grandes musicos

Ry Cooder, Manuel "Guajiro" Mirabal, Barbarito Torres, Ruben Gonzalez, Orlando "Cachaito" Lopez, Omara Portuondo, Compay Segundo, Eliades Ochoa, Ibrahim Ferrer, Pio Leyva, Manuel "Puntillita" Licea, Amadito Valdez.

Solo me queda decir amo el son cubano
.

Posted 13 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
(Useless trivia alert!)  If I'm not mistaken, isn't the cover of the album a still shot from the BVSC documentary?  Haven't watched it in a while but the image looked familiar.  Just curious.  And, yeah, the man can play!
Posted 14 years ago by shutter    [ Reply ]
 fredriley wrote:

In the immortal words of Joe Strummer on The Magnificent Seven, "f*ckin' long, innit?" ;-|

 
Yessir, it is!

Posted 14 years ago by casey1024    [ Reply ]
Thank you, as always, Calypsus_1, for the wonderful picture.  The guy was a master. Perhaps his music wasn't to everyone's liking, but he was definitely a talented pianist (I think of Victor Borge, who played the comedian, but he was a virtuoso on piano. He could even play classical pieces backwards.)

And this song makes me want to do a samba or a mambo-waltz-hustle on a table.  With a rose in my teeth. How many metaphors did I mix in that sentence? (Sorry - I'm running a fever, so stuff just comes out...If I remember what I wrote, I'll go back and edit it later.)
Posted 14 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
Saaaabbbbooooorrrrrr......!!!!!
Posted 14 years ago by JBarDom    [ Reply ]

Ruben Gonzalez  By German Murillo
https://www.flickr.com/photos/23817399@N08/

The Great Ruben Gonzalez. No other like him. His style on the piano is unforgettable.

Copyright All rights reserved


Posted 14 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
RIP Ruben 1919 -2003
Posted 14 years ago by Dog_Ear    [ Reply ]
To be so familiar with a keyboard that you can go off the rails and still create incredible music is a gift.  This man has it.  It's obvious from what emerges from his piano - he's talented, but he's also having a riotous good time.  I rather love this. {#Sunny}{#Bananasplit}
Posted 14 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
If you have even a middling interest in classic Cuban son and the sexy, cool version of Latin jazz that dominated the 40s and 50s, then listen to this album.  It is transcendent...
Posted 14 years ago by Jeff09    [ Reply ]
Dig Daddio!{#Cowboy}
Posted 14 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
Woof!
8 to 9.
Wonderful!
Posted 14 years ago by Rotterdam    [ Reply ]
Sunshine and happiness.
Posted 14 years ago by zipper    [ Reply ]
{#Notworthy}
Posted 14 years ago by jkhandy    [ Reply ]

Ruben Gonzalez and Buena Vista Social Club - Live (1998)
meraluz


Posted 15 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
oh please... is he related to Speedy? He sure plays fast!

Posted 15 years ago by AdyMiles    [ Reply ]
genius and style leader too.....every donk's wearing those shoes now.
Posted 15 years ago by EssexTex    [ Reply ]
eso!!!    que rico!!!   {#Bananapiano}
Posted 15 years ago by ogomez77    [ Reply ]
absolutely deluscious
Posted 15 years ago by greg6494    [ Reply ]
 jagdriver wrote:

As did I...had to buy the DVD, as it's mood-evoking to occasionally view it again.

 
Also bought two of Rubén's CDs... he's one heck of a piano player at what......235 years old?


Posted 15 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
Superb!
Posted 15 years ago by claire_k    [ Reply ]
MANDINGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!
ese timbal........... dale.. Mandingaaaaaaaa!!
Posted 15 years ago by Strada4Ever    [ Reply ]