bongo
supporter
Gold Member
 Offline
Posts: 825
Designated Driver
|
 |
« on: June 26, 2004, 09:11 AM » |
|
A favorite conga solo is Jose Chepito Areas in the song 'Waiting', the first song on the first side of the first Santana album.
Listen and hear Chepito vamp on a call and answer phrase over Michael Carabello's guaguanco, then take a solo over a bass drum keyboard guajeo. At the end he drops back into the original rhythm and takes it out.
Chepito's solo is a nice mix of pops and open tones, played in clave with fire and spirit.
I believe Jose was playing Gon Bops at this point time of his career, as I have seen early photos and film. Michael, I believe, was playing Valje. Chepito used a cupped hand technique to produce his nice hollow sounding pops.
On the same album is the cover of the Olatunji tune 'Jingo'. It was interesting in early film to see Chepito use a floor tom and cymbal to drive the heavy beat.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
bongo
supporter
Gold Member
Offline
Posts: 825
Designated Driver
|
|
« Reply #1 on: June 27, 2004, 06:22 PM » |
|
Another favorite conga solo is on the Santana III album in the song "Toussaint L'Overture".
The solo is is played over a bass guajeo and there is call and answer chanting going. I believe it is Michael Carabello, the solo is typical of his style with the open double roll breaking into syncopated slaps and open tones. Real hot saucy stuff there.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
bongo
supporter
Gold Member
Offline
Posts: 825
Designated Driver
|
|
« Reply #2 on: June 27, 2004, 06:39 PM » |
|
Another great percussion recording is on the Santana 'Abraxas' album. The song is "El Nicoya" and features Chepito soloing on first congas, then timbales across a moderately fast guaguanco. He rips it up and shows why, in my opinion, he is one of the most impressive latin players ever recorded.
Funny how Chepito gets left off of lists of the great players complied by Ed Uribe, Charley Gerard, and Poncho Sanchez. I think it may be because the rock roots of Santana are not considered traditional enough.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
windhorse
supporter
Gold Member
Offline
Posts: 677
|
|
« Reply #3 on: June 28, 2004, 04:28 PM » |
|
Oh, you mean humans... Well, that's open for debate,, but there's Giovanni Hidalgo, and then there's everyone else...  Just kidding,, but really, he is not from this world! Definitely the best I've seen. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Hollow a log into a drum. It's the space inside that makes the sound.  |
|
|
Drumlooney
supporter
Gold Member
Offline
Posts: 734
Yes that drumlooney!!
|
|
« Reply #4 on: June 29, 2004, 12:49 PM » |
|
Oh, you mean humans... Well, that's open for debate,, but there's Giovanni Hidalgo, and then there's everyone else... Just kidding,, but really, he is not from this world! Definitely the best I've seen. Amen! |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
You don't practice one day no one notices, you don't practice two days you notice, you don't practice three days everyone notices.
|
|
|
|
PaulDperc
Guest
|
|
« Reply #5 on: June 29, 2004, 12:58 PM » |
|
I saw Giovanni play a timbal solo at Modern Drummers Drum Festival Weekend a few years back. He had a Brazilian drum sitting on the floor (the big drum they hit for the bass tones...surdo?), and he was cross sticking during his solo and hitting the drum on the floor BELOW the tims! He's incredible!  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Drumlooney
supporter
Gold Member
Offline
Posts: 734
Yes that drumlooney!!
|
|
« Reply #6 on: June 29, 2004, 01:00 PM » |
|
I saw Giovanni play a timbal solo at Modern Drunners Drum Festival weekend a few years back. He had a Brazilian drum sitting on the floor (the big drum they hit for the bass tones..surdo?), and he was cross sticking during his solo and hitting the drum on the floor BELOW the tims! He's incredible!
I got that on Video, he's an amazing musician. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
You don't practice one day no one notices, you don't practice two days you notice, you don't practice three days everyone notices.
|
|
|
bongo
supporter
Gold Member
Offline
Posts: 825
Designated Driver
|
|
« Reply #7 on: June 29, 2004, 04:39 PM » |
|
Well you guys, thanks for the input, I'll have to check out that Modern Drummer dvd.
No doubt Giovanni is in a league of his own. I love the solo 'My Soul Beat' he does on the ''Hands of Rhythm'' album.
Anyone got anymore great specific solos they can point me to?
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
PaulDperc
Guest
|
|
« Reply #8 on: June 30, 2004, 04:58 AM » |
|
If you want to hear a great timbale player, it would have to be Endel Dueno. He used to play with Roberto Roena from Puerto Rico. He does a solo in the last song on Roena's 6th album ( I think?). One of the most incredible solos ever! it sounds like he has 4 arms! He also takes a solo on one of Tommy Olivencia's album. In the song they call him "el nuevo rey del timbal" ( the new king of timbal), which was of course a put down to Puente. Not many people liked that. He is one of those unsung heroes...and Jose "Chepito" Areas (Santana) also, as was stated earlier.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
B-cero
Guest
|
|
« Reply #9 on: June 30, 2004, 11:36 AM » |
|
Jerry Gonzales of 'Fort Apache band', has a pretty unique style, he plays a great conga solo on the dvd "Calle 54" right after finishing his trumpet solo!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
PaulDperc
Guest
|
|
« Reply #10 on: June 30, 2004, 12:23 PM » |
|
Calle 54 is a tremendous DVD. Giovanni takes a solo on the Puente section as does Puente, on vibes and timbal. The section with Chucho Valdes "tickling the ivorys" is something to see also.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
agogobil
supporter
Gold Member
Offline
Posts: 785
|
|
« Reply #11 on: June 30, 2004, 02:21 PM » |
|
Many, many nice conga solos out there ...
Two of my favorites are:
Miguel "Anga" Diaz on "Anabis", from the AFROCUBANISMO! cd by Irakere.
I don't specifically know who the soloist(s?) are on this one, but it's a keeper - "El Alcalde" from the Cachao - Master Sessions Vol.1 cd.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
If thine enemy offend thee, give his child a drum.
|
|
|
|
mangorockfish
Guest
|
|
« Reply #12 on: July 01, 2004, 04:20 AM » |
|
What is this Calle 54 dvd and where can I pick it up? Sounds TOO COOL!! Thanks, MRF |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
PaulDperc
Guest
|
|
« Reply #13 on: July 01, 2004, 04:54 AM » |
|
Calle 54 was a movie/documentary. Your best bet is to buy it online. Most stores or movie rental places won't have it. It's definately worth buying.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
PaulDperc
Guest
|
|
« Reply #14 on: July 01, 2004, 05:00 AM » |
|
Speaking of Cachao...his cds, Master sessions vol. 1 & 2 are great for Latin percussion solos. Also, check out Ray Barettos CD 'Que Viva La Musica'. It has the classic song 'Cocinando'. The song has conga, bongo, timbales solos one right after the other. Then check out the song 'Alafia Cumaye' (same album) for a nice mozambique rhythm, and 'La Pelota' where Orestes Vilato plays a NASTY solo!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
bongo
supporter
Gold Member
Offline
Posts: 825
Designated Driver
|
|
« Reply #15 on: July 01, 2004, 08:30 PM » |
|
Thanks amigos, I really appreciate the leads on songs. I picked up the CALLE 54 dvd (at Borders for $13) and I'm watching it now. What great music, what talent there is in the world.
You know another guy I have always appreciated is Eddie Montalvo, who played tumbadora for Ruben Blades and Willie Colon. I don't have the names of specific songs, but man I can still hear some of those tunes in my head. There was one song that starts off with the sound of sea gulls and then a radio being switched from channel to channel until they find the latin sound. There is a BLOWING trombone solo that leads into a CHOPP'IN conga solo. Just love it. I got to find that recording on CD, only got it buried somewhere on cassette. Ruben Blades should be elected the next president of Panama or something.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
PaulDperc
Guest
|
|
« Reply #16 on: July 02, 2004, 05:15 AM » |
|
Eddie Montalvo is great. George Delgado is another NY based guy who has come up through the ranks. He is playing with Eddie Palmieri now. You can check out some congueros on Latin Percussions web site. I recently discovered that a friend and fellow musician of mine Chino Bolanos is also on the LP site. Another conguero who is not so well know is Kimo Solis, another great PLAYER. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Drumlooney
supporter
Gold Member
Offline
Posts: 734
Yes that drumlooney!!
|
|
« Reply #17 on: July 02, 2004, 06:40 AM » |
|
Eddie Montalvo is great. George Delgado is another NY based guy who has come up through the ranks. He is playing with Eddie Palmieri now. George Delgado has been in the ranks for decades, he's a monster and a heck of a nice guy, he's resume is amazing, he played witht the late Tito Puente and is also a teacher at boys harbor (a music school that teaches salsa here in NYC). Look out for a guy named Andres Bermudez, he's a young venezuelan who's curently playing with "Grupo Niche" he's gonna turn some heads soon. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
You don't practice one day no one notices, you don't practice two days you notice, you don't practice three days everyone notices.
|
|
|
|
PaulDperc
Guest
|
|
« Reply #18 on: July 08, 2004, 05:17 AM » |
|
Hey Drumlooney who are you playing with?
I know about Boys Harbor, I've been there a few times checking out rehearsals for Eddie Santiago, whom I've played bongos with myself.
I did a gig years ago with George at a Jazz Mobile in Newark, NJ along with Andy Gonzalez (bass) for a very good friend of mine, Leonard Pollara
(trombone), who plays with Libre. Are you currently playing in the NYC Latin "cuchifrito" circuit?
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Drumlooney
supporter
Gold Member
Offline
Posts: 734
Yes that drumlooney!!
|
|
« Reply #19 on: July 08, 2004, 06:34 AM » |
|
Hey Paul, yeah I'm playing in the cuchifrito circuit, lmao. I'll send you a Private Message on the rest.
Jose
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
You don't practice one day no one notices, you don't practice two days you notice, you don't practice three days everyone notices.
|
|
|
|
