De San Antonio a Maisí 
Pancho Amat y El Cabildo del Son
(Resistencia CD)
CD Reviewed by

 

Will the Cuban Son ever die? That's very unlikely with releases like this.  Pancho Amat is considered by many as the heir of Arsenio Rodriguez, Niño Rivera and Isaac Oviedo. As a Tres player, he creates a beautiful Son CD.

The CD is introduced by the Bolero-Son, "Flor de pantano," of guitarist Graciano Gómez. Pancho's tres playing is so subtle, yet it gets engraved into your subconscious. This gives way to another Bolero-Son, "Mucho corazón". It is an old Mexican song recorded by the late, great Beny Moré, in which he doubled his voice. In this newer version, special guest Fernando Alvarez, who sang with Moré, pairs his voice with Pancho's younger singer William Borrego.  The result is a unique blend that feels as if Alvarez is a step behind Borrego's singing. Very dramatic!

Unlike older Son singers, Amat still records and composes new material that does not feel out of place next to the classics. For example, his composition "Tal vez a los cincuenta" can be put in the middle of classics like "Al vaivén de mi carreta," and "Reclamo místico". 

This beautiful CD has invited guests that blend perfectly with the feel of the music. 

Silvio Rodríguez sings on one of the most obscure songs from Miguel Matamorros', "La cocainómana," that deals with the dangers of using cocaine. William Baloy showcases his sonero prowess on the medley "Ajiaco" and Cándido Zayas sings the classic, "Fanía". This is the song that inspired Johnny Pacheco and Jerry Massucci to name their record label with the same name. 

"De San Antonio a Maisí" is a CD that will make you want to pull out your table and play some dominoes, put on a Guayabera, drink a Cuba Libre, have some Guarapo, and pretend you are a Sonero serenading your woman. But most importantly, it will show you that the Cuban Son will live forever. 

Songs:

1 - Flor de Pantano
2 - Mucho corazón
3 - En el café
4 - Si yo fuera como tú
5 - Anda y dime 
6 - Ajiaco 
7 - Al vaivén de mi carreta 
8 - Tal vez a los cincuenta 
9 - Reclamo místico 
10 - Fanía 
11 - La cocainómana 
12 - Masa limpia 

Musicians:

Francisco Pancho Amat
tres, cuatro, 2nd voice and chorus

William Borrego
Soloist and maracas

José Francisco Amat
Bass

Francisco Padún
trumpet and chorus

Gilberto Noriega "Toto"
percussion and chorus

Dayron Ortega
guitar and chorus

Invited Musicians:
Silvio Rodríguez
Santiago Auserón
Cándido Zayas
Fernando Álvarez
Dúo Evocación
Daniel Amat
Alejandro Sequeda
William Baloy

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This page was last updated on 22-Jan-2005