Search - Eliades Ochoa :: Sublime Ilusion

The best Santiago Son CD ever made!!

10/29/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dear reader, I have taken my own group down to Santiago de Cuba twice and enjoyed masterclasses in traditional Son by some of the most talented people I have ever met. What is exciting is the enormous joy Cuban musicians seem to derive from teaching others their beloved music.The most talented of all in my view - is Eilades Ochoa. I had the pleasure of speaking to him in Santiago and try and catch every concert he gives in our area. His album "Sublime ilusion" captures the Guajiro feel of his own mountainous homeland. Not only is his Son traditional, it is "Country Son". He is the Cuban Cowboy amongst his peers. His style of playing seems incredibly laid back but don't be fooled. The syncopated instruments: guitar, double-bass, harmonica (7 string guitar) bongo, maracas, claves and voice all follow eachother around, creating the "horsebackriding" feeling he is so well-known for.What makes the album a jewel amongst all other Cuban sequels is the playfull inclusion of several Spanish pieces in traditional songs. "Saludo Compay" combines a bullfight scene (trumpets) with pure Son. His voice is what distinguishes him from most traditional singers. Crude, experienced and always heartfelt. This is most felt in the confrontation the listener has on his solo piece "pedacito de papel". Just a guitar, his voice and you. In my case tears were the result (if you understand the words....) Sublime Ilusion is just as its title. A MUST HAVE for all you Son lovers out there!!"

A really sublime ilusion

P. Bongers | The Netherlands | 12/02/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you're looking for traditional Cuban music that really gets under your skin, this is a no-brainer. Exceptional guitarplay and very tastful arrangements and atmosphere, very good soundquality. This album is absolutely as good as the famous Buena Vista Social Club."

Miracles do exist!!!

Michael White | Abington, PA. USA | 04/06/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Okay, how to write a review about this very talented and gifted individual. Let me start by saying how I was introduced to the music. Believe it or not, I never saw Buena Vista Social Club. Heard of it but never gave it a thought. Also, I'd like to add that my main interest in music is Ska/Reggae, Alternative Rock, Metal, punk. So, yeah, this is a very weird but wonderful experience for me. I haven't felt my soul stir like this since first getting into Bob Marley, Peter Tosh etc.
I just happened to catch the film "Real Women Have Curves" on HBO just about a week ago. A wonderful film!! I suggest you watch it. I loved the soundtrack with the film and wanted to get it since there was one song I loved and wanted. A latin-ska number from who I don't know. I got the soundtrack the next day. Turns out the song I was looking for wasn't on the soundtrack. I was a little upset but decided to listen to the rest. There was one song on there I recognized from the film I liked but never fully listened since I was really concentrating on that one ska song. The song was "Si En Un Final" by someone named Eliades Ochoa.
I could not help but listen to the guitar ebb and flow through the song. Plus the mournful vocals give it a depth I've never heard before. I'm not too experienced in guanjero-style and I have listened to spanish guitar music also. But there was something in Eliades Ochoa's style of playing that I know has never been done before. It's hard for me to describe it. Especially since this is my first time being introduced to the traditional Cuban sounds.
So, my interest being piqued, I decided to look further into the artist's repetoire. I got two albums..."Sublime Illusion" and "A Tribute to Cuarteto Patria". WOW!!!! I can't stop playing these albums. His guitar playing is phenomenal!!! You can literally hear two..three notes at a time. Maybe even four. He's a virtuoso among Guanjero, Bolero style as Robert Johnson was to the Blues. He doesn't have much of a vocal range but it adds character and depth to his songs. You can also tell from his voice that this man has been through "Hell and back." He knows what it's like to suffer. Cuatro Patria, the band he leads, is also amazing. Very tight but yet gives energy and verve to Eliades' playing.
I know I haven't written the best review. All I can say is for you to get his discs and listen!! Especially listen for his guitar!! Just as I thought Bob Marley changed me...Eliades Ochoa has shown me another path to walk. Gracias, Senor Ochoa!!

Oh yeah, and that latin-ska song I was looking for. I think that can wait!!!"