Xavier Cugat - South America Take It Away 24 Latin Hits (24 tracks) +Album Reviews

HERE'S LOOKING AT YOU, KID

Alan Branfman | Spotsylvania, Va USA | 12/23/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This compilation of Cugat recordings from 1935-1946 is one of the "sexiest" CD'S my collection. If you're a fan of many Hollywood films of that period these arrangements will send chills up your spine. Close your eyes and you're sitting at the Waldorf Bar in white tie with Bogie or George Raft; or you're an OSS agent sitting in a South American cabaret with Andrea King keeping one eye on Conrad Veidt and the other on Akim Tamiroff. The tunes are familiar and haunting. You may not remember the titles but you'll recognize the music of that genre.Several vocals by Bing Crosby and Dinah Shore add to your listening delight. The slow samba "BAIA" is an elixir with greater power than Viagra. The other rumbas, congas and tangos are superb; Cugat's distinctive rhythmic arrangements cast a hypnotic spell on the listener. Buy this album!"

Excellente!

Alan Branfman | 07/02/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Just got this today and it's exactly what I hoped for! The other reviewers were on the mark! The earlier Cugat orchestration and arrangements are so lovely and evocative. I'm a sucker for the sound of old recordings--these are from the 30's--they just had a warmth that is lost as recording equipment improved. But I still must get something with Besame Mucho . . ."

Great music from an era gone by....

Larry Runge | Chicago | 08/19/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While on a Desi Arnez binge, I bought this CD not really knowing what to expect. I had read the book on Cugat by his ex-wife, and was curious as to his music. And what music it is. I've had this CD in my car's changer for two weeks now, and I'm listening to it more than the other five CD's combined. The music is superb, the perfect antidote to a long day at work. There's quite a variety of tunes, and the rhythm section has to be heard to be believed. And this is music that's a half century old! However, a warning to the guys: Listening to this CD may make you want to don tux-n-tails, order a Martini or Manhattan, and then let your feet fly across the dance floor with your Lady Love!"

Classic Latin Magic

Nigel | 09/21/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Great selections, great sound; hard to believe these weren't original stereo recordings.

Buy!"

Review includes detailed album playlist

Annie Van Auken | Planet Earth | 07/30/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"One of my very first record albums was a set of four Xavier Cugat COLUMBIA label 10" 78s. On the cover's flamingo pink background was a self-inked smiling characterization of the bandleader holding twin maracas and wearing a puffy-sleeved blouse.

Included in this well-loved collection was "South America, Take It Away," with vocal by Buddy Clark (not Bing Crosby, whom Clark sounded a bit like). This tune was actually the flip side of a BIG Cugie hit: "The Chiquita Banana Song," also with vocalist Clark. Why that essential 'A' track doesn't appear on ASV LIVING ERA's Xavier Cugat album is an absolute mystery. Its absence is the only reason I've given the CD a four star rating.

Cugat's standing as the Rumba King was never seriously challenged. Even when disciple/employee Desi Arnaz left to form his own band, he was to popularize a new craze, the conga (a handful in this style appear here).

Concerning some of what IS on "South America, Take It Away!":

Composed by Cugie, "The Lady In Red," has a Spanish chorus intro from a different song. Lyrics that were later used as introduction ("Say have you ever met the girl who's the talk of the town?") show up here just before the chorus's coda!

Vocalist Chacha Aguilar duets with Carmen Castillo on a most delighful "La Paloma." ('Cha-cha'... what a cool name!)

The bolero rumba "Night Must Fall" features a finely-muted cornet above flute section flourishes.

Low-pitched, very smooth vocals on Dinah Shore's "Perfidia" and "Yours" sound nothing like her later big band/pop style. Miss Shore at times comes in a half-beat too soon.

"Jungle Drums" is a lot more reserved than the title suggests. Shore reaches higher notes here but returns to her crooning register for "The Breeze and I."

"Frenesi," with its reverberating vibes and relaxed pace is delighful!

"Brazil" is another song from the above-mentioned 78 rpm set.

The unidentified girl singer on "Tico Tico" is a very young Elena Verdugo. In the 1970s Verdugo portrayed Consuelo Lopez, assistant to TV's MARCUS WELBY M.D.

Also recommended:

THE UNHEARD: 1934-37 TRANSCRIPTION DISCS AND BROADCASTS features 26 Cugie band performances such as "La Golondrina" and "I've Got You Under My Skin."

XAVIER CUGAT 1942-46: UNHEARD TRANSCRIPTIONS & RADIO SHOTS has 28 songs, including "Babalu" and "The Peanut Vendor."

FOR A COMPLETE TRACK LIST WITH PLAYING TIMES AND VOCALISTS,

SEE COMMENT #1, LOCATED DIRECTLY BELOW THIS REVIEW."

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