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The Music:
1. Chan Chan - Ochoa, Eliades
2. De Camino a la Vereda - Ferrer, Ibrahim
3. El Cuarto de Tula - Cooder, Ry
4. Pueblo Nuevo - González, Rubén
5. Dos Gardenias - Ferrer, Ibrahim
6. Y Tú Qué Has Hecho? - Segundo, Compay
7. Veinte Años - Portuondo, Omara
8. El Carretero - Ochoa, Eliades
9. Candela - Ferrer, Ibrahim
10. Amor de Loca Juventud - Segundo, Compay Y S
11. Orgullecida - Segundo, Compay
12. Murmullo - Ferrer, Ibrahim
13. Buena Vista Social Club - Cooder, Ry
14. La Bayamesa - Licea, Manuel "Punt
The DVD
SOUND: "Buena Vista Social Club" is listed as being in DVD-Audio 96khz/24bit 5.1 surround sound, but the mix itself is essentially 96khz/24bit 4.1 surround sound. Although I'm usually one for using surrounds appropriately (but actively), the subdued, fairly simple mix that's done here for the group actually works perfectly. I was a little concerned that there isn't anything from the center channel; usually, I like the vocals fixed in the center. Spread out across the front two channels though, the vocals still carry enough presence and detail that my concerns went out the window.
The mix presents a very basic surround presentation, with vocals and backing instruments coming from the front and additional instumentals and percussion coming from the rears. You feel as if the group is playing all around you and the lack of surround trickery (thankfully, no vocals travel from speaker to speaker here) is greatly appreciated as it would be completely inappropriate for the mix. All of the songs generally follow this format, with vocals in the front and music in the rear, pleasantly bringing the focus towards the front and using the rears to provide perfect envelopment.
The audio quality is wonderful; the instruments and vocals sound smooth as silk and the rich, soulful music sounds nothing short of terrific, with great detail and clarity. The emotion of the vocals is more apparent and all of the strings played ring so clearly with this release that I felt it really added to the experience of listening to this already superb album. I was also suprised at the tight, full low bass that accompanied the songs. There certainly wasn't an unappropriate amount of bass, but there was a little more power than I'd expected and it worked well for the music. The original producer of the album, Ry Cooder, has been brought back to provide both the DVD-Audio surround and stereo mixes for this release and that was a fantastic decision as he was able to know what was right for the music when re-purposing it for surround.
For those who do not have DVD-Audio capability, there is also a Dolby Digital 4.1 presentation for DVD-Video players.
Extras: In one of the best extras I've seen on a DVD-Audio title, Ry Cooder narrates and is interviewed about the general history and the making of "Buena Vista Social Club" - how he was able to bring all of these incredible musicians together as well as more about the individual artists. This documentary lasts about 12 minutes. Also included are photographs, biographies, discography and album credits.
Final Thoughts: The surround use for "Buena Vista Social Club" is certainly not one of the more showy surround music titles and thankfully so. The presentation does a lovely and tasteful job in enveloping the listener as well as offering this stellar album with exceptionally good audio quality. Highly recommended.
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