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You know, like old school septeto style without those pesky congueros to get in the way of the bongoceros

I have mostly Septeto Nacional with Septeto Habanero in second and Arsenio Rodriguez in third, followed by a little this and that. So new or old, a little of the even older sexeto style is always nice to have too. What do you like that really lets the bongos shine?

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Hi Robert,

Folklyric Records had published LPs with the Sexteto Habanero and Agustin Gutierrez or Andres Sotolongo on bongo, and with Sexteto Boloña feat. José Manuel Incharte "El Chino" on bongo. I'm not sure whether these have been re-published on CD. Both records have liner notes by John Santos.

The recording standard from that time (1925-1926) does not really permit the bongos to "shine". If you want to study Septeto style, check out Oropesa of today's Septeto Nacional. That is truly shining.

I find that without congas, the bongos have to carry more of a sustained, balanced continuo, as opposed to just adding "pepper and salt" by playing a repique that emphasizes accents (in the proper spots) like in a conjunto or in a Salsa band. They are responsible for providing a marcha along with their tasty variations. Am I correct (Mark)?

Remember that back in those days, the bongos were larger and had tacked thin heads. They were practically a different instrument and had to be played differently than today. The sound does hardly compare to modern day bongos. Also, I'm not sure when the standard bongo repique with its typical accents on 1+, 4+ and 3+ emerged. I don't really hear it on these recordings. Bongo players seemed to draw more from the Afro-Cuban repertoire, like Abakuá, Bembé, and Congolese styles. Bongo ad lib playing sounded much freer than today.

Regards,

Thomas

Just listen to some changui. Lots of stylin bongos.
PC

You probably have it, but just in case, this is one of my all time favorite 'bongo' albums.

http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/mus ... +Monte.htm

Barrie

When refering to bongo' playing, you must get albums or CD's that feature "Yeyito", Rogelio Iglesias and "Papa Kila", Antolin Suarez. "Descargas In Miniature" by Cachao showcase Yeyito on bongos along with Tata Guines and Barretico on tumbadoras and timbal. This one is a must have. For Papa Kila, you have to get the old Arsenio Rodriguez, there is now a compilation of Arsenio's music and it features Papa Kila on bongos.

Dario

Selected works and solos by Ricardo Vidal Ferro Vicente.
All about simplicity.

http://fidelseyeglasses.blogspot.com/2010/12/profiles-in-greatness-selected-works_12.html

Mark

FidelsEyeglasses wrote:Selected works and solos by Ricardo Vidal Ferro Vicente.
All about simplicity.

http://fidelseyeglasses.blogspot.com/2010/12/profiles-in-greatness-selected-works_12.html

Mark

Yes, I will definitely spend some time on your blog cheking that out along with the rest of it.