Concert opgenomen in het "Stadu du Hai" in Kinshasa, Zaire, 1974
"This is a wonderful early recording. It's not just Celia with Matancera, but includes other Sonora Matancera hits from the 1950s."Cruz (1925-2003) is recognised by many as the "Queen Of Salsa". The voice, charisma, and talent of Cruz has created one of the most impressive music careers. Listing her accomplishments would require a book. Her more than 70 albums have yielded many gold and platinum records, and she has received more than a hundred awards from prestigious institutions around the world. Of Afro-Cuban decent, Cruz began singing in amateur contests at the age of 14 in her home city of Havana, Cuba, where she studied music theory, piano and voice at the National Music Conservatory. In 1950 she began singing with the conjunto La Sonora Matancera, and with that group she was a central figure in some of the most glorious chapters of Afro-Cuban music, recording a number of legendary songs, including "Yembe Laroco", "Yerbero Moderno", "Burundanga", and "Caramelo", among many." (Discogs)
"Cruz continued her career, first in Mexico, and then in the United States, the country that she took as her definitive residence. In the 1960s, she collaborated with Tito Puente, recording her signature tune "Bemba colorá". In the 1970s, she signed for Fania Records and became strongly associated with the salsa genre, releasing hits such as "Quimbara". She often appeared live with Fania All-Stars and collaborated with Johnny Pacheco and Willie Colón. Celia Cruz with Willie Colon is just about as sure a thing as Celia with Johnny (Pacheco). Surer, maybe, since C&J have made far more recordings than C&W." (Wikipedia)
Opgenomen op 't muziekspektakel t.g.v. het boksgevecht tussen Mohammed Ali en George Foreman in Zaïre, 1974. Fania All Stars bestonden uit o.a. Johnny Pacheco, Ray Barretto, Cheo Feliciano, Ismael Miranda, Hector Lavoe, Bobby Valentin, Jorge Santana en natuurlijk Celia Cruz. Tijdens dit 54 min. durend concert worden 2 nummers gezongen door Cruz: "Quimbara" en "Guantanamera". Andere hoogtepunten zijn Cheo Feliciano's "El Raton" en Hector Lavoe's "Mi Gente". De 80.000-koppige menigte gaat totaal uit z'n dak!
"Celia Cruz her first break came when she was invited to join the band la Sonora Matancera in 1950. The group was revered as the Latin equivalent of the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Cruz remained with the group for 15 years, touring throughout the world. She married the band's trumpet player Pedro Knight on July 14, 1962. With Fidel Castro's assuming control of Cuba in 1960, Cruz and Knight refused to return to their homeland and became citizens of the United States." (Allmusic). Het CD-boekje vermeldt over deze verzameling uit die periode: "This 'best of' offers unique sides coming from the archives of Radio Progreso, and they allow the listener to appreciate a little known repertoire of the Sonora Mantacera and of Celia Cruz."
Celia Cruz is in 1925 geboren in Havana. Haar eerste opnamen stammen uit 1948 in Venezuela. Haar eerste doorbraak was in 1950 toen ze moest invallen bij de Sonora Matancera. Het publiek moest eerst aan haar wennen maar ze kreeg uiteindelijk veel succes in heel Cuba (en vervolgens ook internationaal). In totaal heeft ze drie Grammy's gewonnen en vier Latin Grammy's. In 1992 nam ze een jubileum album op met de Sonora Matancera (dit album) en had ze een rol in de film The Mambo Kings. In 2001 heeft ze een album opgenomen met Johnny Pacheco als producent. Na een knieoperatie begin 2003 gaat ze gewoon door met optredens. Een paar maanden later overlijdt ze echter aan een hersentumor. (NPO2)
" Celia Cruz is the undisputed queen of salsa. After more than 40 years of performing professionally, she continues to intrigue Hispanics and non-Hispanics alike around the world with the rhythms of her Cuban homeland. A remarkable performer and person, she loves her fans as much as she loves her music. As she said in Más, “Music is what gave me the courage to fight and get out of poverty and touch the universe.... The only important thing is music.” Cruz has indeed brightened the world with her songs, and in so doing she has realized her dreams. She commented in the New York Times, “When people hear me sing, I want them to be happy, happy, happy. I don’t want them thinking about when there’s not any money, or when there’s fighting at home. My message is always felicidad— happiness.” (CarolBrennan)|
Bevat opnamen (waaronder haar allereerste single) uit de periode 1950-1965, toen ze vrijwel exclusief werkte met de groep La Sonora Matancera (daar stopte ze mee in 1965). De meeste opnamen stammen uit haar Cubaanse tijd (ze verliet het revolutionaire Cuba van Castro in 1960). Veel van deze klassieke latinnummers zou ze later in haar carriere, in de VS, opnieuw opnemen met o.a. de groepen van Tito Puente en Willy Colón. Dit zijn de nostalgisch-warme gevoelens oproepende originelen.
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