Mujer de Cabaret

by Puerto Plata

Overview

You hear a lot about Cuban son, but not so much about its Dominican counterpart, although son, along with ranchera, is probably the most widespread of the Latin song styles, even today. However, this debut -- at the tender age of 83 -- by Puerto Plata (his nickname, for the town of his birth; his real name is Jose Manuel Cobles) goes a little way toward righting that balance. Recorded in two separate live sessions with two different groups, Plata does indeed have a wonderful, rich voice that does justice to the material, and he covers everything from guarachas to merengues, ranchera and bolero, all under the loose, general category of son (in fact, there's only one real son on here, "Baracoa"). It's a very satisfying album, and the bands are superb, especially guitarists Edilio Paredes and Frank Mendez. But if there are thoughts of this becoming a Dominican version of the Buena Vista Social Club, that's probably not going to happen. Mujer de Cabaret is good, but has slightly rough-hewn edges -- indeed, that's actually part of its appeal -- and it's never quite transcendent. However good Plata is, his voice doesn't possess the magic of the truly great. ~ Chris Nickson

Product Details

Release Date:	11/06/2007
Label:	Iaso Records
UPC:	0852007001111
Rank:	189523

Tracks

1. Amarrao con F¿¿
2. Dolorita
3. Mujer de Cabaret
4. La Cotorrita de Rosa
5. Te La Dejo Toda
6. Baracoa
7. Santiago
8. Jala Leva
9. Los Piratas
10. Sabor de Enga¿¿o
11. La Comelona

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Puerto Plata   Primary Artist
Edilio Paredes   Primary Artist,Guitar
Frank Mendez   Primary Artist,Guitar,Guitar
Bennie Gabriel   Vocals
Nino Abreu   Vocals
Pablo Mendoza   Vocals
Silvestre Castillo (Pancho)   Vocals
Samuel Paredes   Vocals,Choir/Chorus
Daniel Luis Gomez   Guitar (Bass)
Rafael "Fefo" Olivares   Guitar
Jesus Alvarez   Maracas,Vocals,Maracas,Choir/Chorus
Milciades Duran   Guiro
Martin Lavale   Vocals,Guitar
Jose Luis Gomez   Guitar (Bass),Bass
Raul Bier   Tamboura,Bongos
Daniel Luna   Guira
Gabriel Machado   Bongos

Technical Credits

Benjamin de Menil   Audio Engineer,Audio Production,Producer
Steve Fallone   Audio Engineer,Engineer
John Poppo   Audio Engineer,Engineer
David Wayne   Audio Production,Producer