Cuba: The Trova (1998)

About this title: Before Afro-Cuban music was embraced by Puerto Ricans and came to be called salsa -- before Beny More, Tito Puente, Machito, Xavier Cugat and Tito Rodriguez led large dance orchestras -- Cuba was known for the trova. Playing an abundance of ballads, Cuban trovadores favored simplicity and went for small, minimalist groups. Some of the early trovadores didn't use any percussion whatsoever -- strictly guitar and vocals -- and that type of minimalism prevails on this excellent CD. Recalling the trovadores of pre-salsa Cuba, Trio Yagua consists of singer Joel Diaz and guitarists Feliz Valera and ... read more

Tracks:

1. Aquella Tarde [Lecuona]
2. Juramento [Matamoros]
3. Canto Para Mi Montuna [Diaz]
4. Arrepentida [Tejedor]
5. Pensamiento [Gomez]
6. Las Perlas de Tu Boca [Grenet]
7. Alma de Roca [Batet]
8. Amorosa Guajira [Allue]
9. Olvido [Matamoros]
10. Longina [Corona]
11. Si Llego a Besarte [Diez]
12. El Arroyo Que Murmura [Anckermann]
13. Y Tú Qué Has Hecho? [Delfín]
14. La Tarde [Garay]
15. El Arbol [León]
16. Soy Feliz con Mi Guajira [Diez]
17. El Beso de Tu Boca [Matamoros]
18. Veinte Años [Vera]
19. El Amor de Mi Bohio [Brito]

Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is further described below.