Search - Xavier Cugat :: Xavier Cugat 1942-1946: Unheard Transcriptions & Air Shots

Middling condition Cugie

Annie Van Auken | Planet Earth | 08/05/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Distributor of this disc, INTERSTATE MUSIC LTD. is a British-based outfit that produces its CDs in the Czech Republic.



Recordings contained on UNHEARD TRANSCIPTIONS AND AIR SHOTS showcase Xavier Cugat's Latin dance band at their prime, despite the substitution of vocalists Del Campo and Nita Rosa for Miguelito Valdés and Lina Romay. The insert's cover photo was taken in 1946 at the Capitol Theater in NYC.



Cugat was himself an accomplished violinist. Here, he also sings in English on "Yo Te Amo Mucho/That's That."



Source material has the typical imperfections of age. The mostly midrange "Cachita," "Medias de Seda," "Pri-Con-Con," "In the Mexican Mood," "Derecho Viejo" and the Chopin Nocturne are heavily filtered but groove damage can still be heard. Two broadcast transcriptions (#25 and #26) contain the best high end but also show the most surface hiss.



PROGRAM--



[2:01] Lobo

[2:14] Tico-Tico

[2:07] Mis Cinco Hijos - v. Del Campo w/chorus

[2:30] La Comparsa - w/chorus

[1:48] Peanut Vendor (El Manisero) - w/chorus

[2:23] Babalu - v. Del Campo w/chorus

[2:04] Ali Baba

[1:35] Oye Negra

[2:40] Chiu Chiu - v. Nita Rosa w/chorus

[1:44] Jesusita

[2:38] Siboney

[2:39] Take It Easy - v. Nita Rosa & Don Rodney w/chorus

[2:32] Para Vigo Me Voy (Say Si Si) - v. Del Campo w/chorus

[2:34] Bahia (Ma Baixa Do Sapateiro) - v. Del Campo w/chorus

[2:28] Cachita - v. Del Campo

[2:38] Medias de Seda

[2:39] Almendra

[2:42] Pri-Con-Con

[2:35] In the Mexican Mood - w/chorus

[2:44] Ni Pitos, Ni Flautas

[2:38] Derecho Viejo w/laughing chorus

[3:00] Nocturne in E Flat Major, Op. 9, #2 (Chopin) - w/chorus

[2:48] El Comprador de Bottelas - v. Del Campo

[2:45] Fue en el Africa - v. Del Campo w/chorus

[6:17] Medley: My Shawl/Night Must Fall/Nightingale/One, Two, Three, Kick - w/chorus (1945 broadcast)

[3:13] Yo Te Amo Mucho/That's That - v. Xavier Cugat w/chorus (1945 broadcast)

[3:23] I'm Old Fashioned - v. Lina Romay

[1:33] Mulata Rumbera



TOTAL PLAYING TIME: 72:52





Also from Interstate/Harlequin:



THE UNHEARD: 1934-37 TRANSCRIPTION DISCS AND BROADCASTS features 26 Cugie band performances such as "La Golondrina" and "I've Got You Under My Skin.""