Search - Orquesta Aragón :: Los Aragones En La Onda Del La Alegria

Rare, Live and full of Life

Charles Pineros | Torrance, Ca USA | 06/12/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Orquesta Aragon has been the foremost expopnent of Charanga/Cha Cha Cha that has ever come out of Cuba. Fortunately this album is culled from live radio broadcasts from the 1950's when the Orquesta Aragon was in its prime. The Aragon was famous for its vocal chorus which is done on these recordings by Pepe Olmo and Rafael Lay Sr. Also the flute player, Richard Egues plays some outstanding solos. He never overdoes his solos but does just enough to make the listener want a little more. The arrangements are done with true Cuban flavor and artistic mastery. My favorite song is La Matraca. Many of the songs were never committed to the RCA catalog which makes this CD well worth the listen not only for pleasure but also for historical and artistic value. Perhaps the sound isn't up to modern day standards, but this is overshadowed by the historical significance of the recordings. Unfortunately RCA has never released the complete Aragon recordings from their vaults but this sure helps make up for that omission."