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| Mi Sueno | 
 enlarge | Artist: Ibrahim Ferrer
Label: Nonesuch
Category: Music
List Price: $18.98
Buy New: $12.40
You Save: $6.58 (35%)
Buy New/Used from $12.25
Avg. Customer Rating:  (11 reviews)
Sales Rank: 35100
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 139068
UPC: 075597998672
EAN: 0075597998672
ASIN: B000NVHWLG
Release Date: April 24, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Tracks:
| • | Dos Almas | | • | Si Te Contara | | • | Melodia del Rio | | • | Cada Noche un Amor | | • | Deuda | | • | Uno | | • | Convergencia | | • | Quiereme Mucho | | • | Perfidia | | • | Copla Guajira | | • | Quizas, Quizas | | • | Alma Libre |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
When Grammy-winning Buena Vista Social club lead vocalist Ibrahim Ferrer died in August 2005 at the age of 78, he was within a few weeks of accomplishing a lifelong ambition: to record an album of suave, sexy, elegant Cuban boleros. The first acknowledged tune of the genre, "Tristezas," was composed in Santiago by Pepe Sanchez during the late 1800s. The form was descended from a Spanish waltz-like dance of the same name, which in turn evolved from the French contradanse and, even earlier on, from English rural styles. Strangely, Ferrer had repeatedly been told that his voice was not sufficiently "manly" for these leisurely, achingly romantic ballads. But judging by the present tracks--and despite the inevitable depredations of age, which only give his interpretations an added, rueful vulnerability--this is demonstrably untrue. The singer's reedy tenor, in some cases rescued from high-quality demos with instrumentals recorded posthumously, touches places in a listener's soul that no power-popster with an umpteen-octave range and mud-slides of melisma could remotely approach. Ferrer is joined by BVSC band-mates Ruben Gonzalez (piano) and Omara Portuondo (vocals) on one tune each and is accompanied by the soulfully rinky-tink piano of Roberto Fonseca, Orlando "Cachaito" Lopez's sinuous, resonant acoustic bass and Manuel Galban's sensitive guitar, with Ramses Rodrigues and Emilio del Monte manning trap drums and percussion. Overall, Mi Sueno ("My Dream") has a late-night feeling, as though captured amid an after-hours jam in a smoky, malt-scented Havana nightclub, long after sleeves have been pushed up and chairs piled on the tables. --Christina Roden
Album Description
Mi Sueno is essential listening. Ferrer brings warmth, ease, humor and poignancy to his vocals, where romance is looked back on fondly and still longed for passionately. Featuring "Uno" and "Perfidia," Mi Sueno is a dream everyone can share.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 6 more reviews...
 Beautiful Dream March 1, 2008
Mi Sueno Ferrer's voice is seasoned to perfection. This is a man who has experienced life at its fullest and his interpretations demonstrate that. His phrasing is perfect in the romantic boleros and his voice is still strong, revealing his sonero roots. This is a CD that people will listen to again and again. This beautiful dream is real. Ferrer leaves us a marvelous gift.
 A Worthy Legacy December 20, 2007
Though he had been active in music for many years, Ibrahim Ferrer came to my attention only through his involvement with Ry Cooder's wildly popular Buena Vista Social Club. And whatever you might think about that project, it was instrumental not just in resuscitating the careers of Ferrer and others who languished largely unemployed under Castro's heel, it also generated a worldwide rebirth of interest in Cuban music. Cuban music flourishes today and for that much of the credit has to go to Cooder.
Since I heard the BVSC, I have branched out and listened to some of the music recorded solo by those associated with that project. Mi Sueno is the first solo project of Ferrer's I have purchased, and after hearing it I assure you it won't be the last. Unfortunately for Ferrer and for us, it will be his last recording as he died shortly before it was finished. So though he realized his dream of recording an album of boleros (hence the title), he sadly is not around to enjoy the accolades it has garnered.
The songs here are not all strictly Cuban. I recognize a couple that were penned by the great Mexican composer Agustin Lara and another (Uno) that is of Argentine origin. What they have in common really is the way that Ferrer chose to interpret them. This album was a labor of love for Ferrer and its realization is a worthy legacy for a man who labored so long in the shadows.
Though I can't give the album five stars as some of the songs are "unfinished" vocally (You'll probably be able to guess which songs need another take) with the instruments added posthumously, it is a solid four star effort. Like one of the other reviewers, I really like Uno and Perfidia. In addition, my favorites include Si Te Contara, Melodia del Rio, and an interesting cover of Lara's Copla Guajira.
Those looking for a regurgitation of Buena Vista Social Club material aren't going to find it on Mi Sueno. What they will find is an intimate take on the music that was significant to the life of Ibrahim Ferrer. You also get an attractive booklet containing pictures, lyrics in both Spanish and English, and other pertinent information. If you love Latin music in the Cuban style, then Ferrer's dream can be yours as well. Highly recommended!
 You need to be older to love those songs August 29, 2007
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Not comparable to the great cd Buena Vista Social Club. The songs are more classic cuban style.
Simply, the best. August 11, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I ordered 2 copies of Mi Sueno and sent one to my 30 yr. old nephew who recently married. He and his wife called and said they loved it, too. So a 90 yr. old musician can communicate with 30 somethings through music. That restores my faith in human kind.
Like fine wine July 23, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Ibrahim Ferrer shows yet again the finesse and maturity of a well seasoned vocalist who over the years has become better and better. With the Buena Vista sound backing him up he lets loose song after song with the incredible range and confidence only a master can produce. A wonderful posthumos album with his take on several classics. A spellbinding duet with Omar and impeccable rythm that grows on you the more you listen to it. Its wonderful to compare to his more youthful works and see that what he gave up in fiestiness he more than makes up for in sheer class and charisma. A must buy.
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