Search - Orquesta Aragón :: Sabrosona

Not an Original

08/28/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Well, I was disappointed! I expected to hear the original Orquesta Aragón and I ended up listening to a mediocre imitation that uses its original arragements but lacks the mastery of the flute and violins that made Aragón famous. The songs aren't bad; they can't be, afterall they are the original arrangements. But the performances don't have the heart that the original group shared with its fans. Too bad. Seems to me that without the original musicians to guide the newer orchestra members, the new Aragón is just so-so. I often wondered why the Cuban youth of today isn't as taken with the Aragón as my generation once was. Now I know."

ORQUESTA ARAGON- "SABROSONA"

luis de quesada | jamaica, new york United States | 06/02/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The title of this great compilation by Mexico's Orfeon label says it all. Around 1994 the Orquesta Aragon toured Mexico and this time actually recorded an album, something which I believe they've never did before. Although, unfortunately, by the time they recorded this CD, most of Aragon's original crew was gone, ex. its director Rafael Lay, Sr.(killed in a 1982 car crash), flautist E.Richard Egues (left in 1984), percussionists Orestes Varona,(deceased) and Guido Sarria, retired, the Orquesta has retained much of its original sound under the skillful direction of Rafael Lay, Jr. and singers Pepe Olmo, Ernesto Bacallao and Justo Rueda, as well as skillful flautist "El Rubio". In this great production, Aragon recorded many of its 1950's hits, which gave them worldwide popularity: The album's theme song "Sabrosona", "Paran Pan Pan", "Almendra", "Cuatro Personas", "Cuatro Vidas","Los Tamalitos de Olga", "Mentiras Criollas", "Noche Azul", "Silencio", "Yo Tengo Una Mun~eca", "Naranjo y Lucas", "Bodas de Oro","Le Dije a Una Rosa","Caminito de Guarena" and a former original Orquesta America hit, the "bolero-cha" version of Agustin Lara's "Rival". If you are a charanga fan, this CD belongs in your collection. "ORQUESTA ARAGON-RECORDED IN MEXICO!""