Poncho & Lefty

Product Description
A Superb Collection of 36 Tracks Covering a Prolific Ten Year Period of Writing from the Late, Great Poet from Texas. Includes "Our Mother the Mountain", "Heavenly Houseboat Blues" and "John the Gambler".

Poncho & Lefty,Townes Van Zandt,Atom,Country/Bluegrass,Folk,Pop,Progressive Country,Rock

Average customer rating: Raise Your Hand Great Groove

Raise Your Hand Poncho Sanchez Manufacturer: Concord Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Cuba | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music General | Latin Music | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Latin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music International | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Rumba Palace Funk Tango United We Swing Spirit of the Moment Dear Miles ASIN: B000PA9Q46 Release Date: 2007-05-22

Tracks:

1. Raise Your Hand
2. Tropi Blue
3. Shotgun
4. El Agua De Belen
5. Rosarito
6. Maceo's House
7. Donde Va Chichi?
8. Gestation
9. Amor Con Amor
10. Knock On Wood

Amazon.com

On paper, the teaming of Latin-jazz veteran Poncho Sanchez with Stax legends Eddie Floyd, Booker T. Jones, and Steve Cropper on two Floyd classics may have looked like a nifty way to expand Sanchez's audience while promoting Concord's re-launch of the Stax and Volt labels. But the cover versions of "Knock on Wood" and the title track are little more than agreeable (Sanchez handles lead vocals, with Floyd in support). And if you're looking for a lively remake of the Motown classic "Shotgun," you're better off with jazz upstart Don Byron's recent version than the one here featuring onetimes James Brown saxist Maceo Parker. The rest of the album mainly sticks to the pop-influenced sound in which the conga-playing Sanchez has long specialized--a sound that in combining airy melodies and arrangements and tight grooves reflects both his California roots and his debt to New York greats including onetime labelmate Tito Puente. A solid guest vocal by salsa and salsatron star Andy Montanez might have been even better had he recorded with the band rather than back home in Puerto Rico. --Lloyd Sachs

Customer Reviews:

Raise Your Hand.......2007-07-15

Very good job by the Master Congero. He's was able to put together a very a good balance between soul music and his bread butter Latin Music

Great Groove.......2007-06-27

I recently heard Poncho Sanchez live for the first time and was immediately in love with his music. I had to buy the CD after hearing Poncho's great arrangements of soul classics "Shotgun", "Raise Your Hand" and "Knock on Wood". Including Booker T. & the MGs on several of the album cuts was a great bonus. The rest of the album contains smokin' Latin jazz arrangements with a great rhythm section and tight horn arrangements.

Average customer rating: It Grooves! Refreshing Great music - Great Dancing Not that bad... Increasing the momentum of mediocrity

Latin Soul Poncho Sanchez Manufacturer: Concord Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Cuba | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music General | Latin Music | Styles | Music Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Latin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music Brazilian & Latin Jazz | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music International Jazz | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Soul of the Conga Afro-Cuban Fantasy Do It! Conga Blue Outa Sight ASIN: B00002CF46 Release Date: 1999-10-26

Tracks:

1. El Conguero
2. Ven Pa Bailar
3. Ican
4. Watermelon Man
5. Conga Blue
6. Lisa
7. Besame Mama
8. Guaripumpe
9. Listen Here/Cold Duck Time
10. Cold Duck Time

Amazon.com

In the past two decades, conguero Poncho Sanchez has emerged as the West Coast's foremost Latin-jazz bandleader. Latin Soul--his 19th release for the Concord Picante label--is a cooking set recorded live at the Conga Room in Los Angeles and Yoshi's in Oakland. This is no loose blowing session, but a showcase for Sanchez's road-tight nonet featuring the Banda brothers Ramon and Tony on bass and timbales, plus a powerful four-piece horn section. Sanchez's conga solos are seldom flashy, just rock solid. He pays homage to the inspiration of Mongo Santamaria on "Watermelon Man" and "Besame Mama" and recalls the golden age of mambo with Tito Rodriguez's "Mama Guela." He sings an invitation to dance on "Ven Pa Bailar" and turns the horns loose on Eddie Cano's boppish "Ican." The soul side of the equation is represented by a funky medley of Eddie Harris's "Listen Here" and "Cold Duck Time." --Rick Mitchell

Customer Reviews:

It Grooves!.......2006-07-22

The best thing about this album is that it grooves. My personal favorite is "Watermelon Man." I also enjoyed the "Congo Blue," where at the end, there are three shekeres going at the same time. It is a lot of rhythmical fun. Although the arrangements might not be the most complex, this music will hit you in your soul.

Refreshing.......2002-07-13

Congero at it's best!. This CD gets you into the "Salsa" mood even if you are listening to it at your office--"careful not to get caught by your manager dancing on your desk"-- Full of rich conga sounds and latino brass wraped in fine jazz this is a delighful esperience from the mellow "Besame Mama", to the powerful "El congero"....still there?....get it!

Great music - Great Dancing.......2001-09-26

Around the time this CD was released, salsa dancing seemed to become the "hot" thing for gringos like me. Fresh out of a few classes with some rudimentary steps under my belt, my date and I stumbled into this little known (to me) club called the Conga Room in Los Angeles where Poncho Sanchez was playing.

At first all I could do was try to concentrate on my steps as I quickly became aware of just how much I needed to learn (the dancers packed into this intimate club are incredible). After I loosened up a bit I started realizing just how good the music was. Before long we both became lost in the music and we danced for hours. Something about the repetitiveness, the rhythms, just waves of pleasure that flow endlessly. What a wonderful time!

Being completely new to this type of music, it wasn't until long after that I realized this guy is practically a legend. Sometimes when you least expect it, life deals you pleasant surprises, you know? No CD could completely recreate the experience of "being there" but I would say this comes the closest. Listening to it makes we want to take the intermediate classes now. :-)

Not that bad..........2001-07-02

While I agree with Darío Zapata's review that Poncho's neither the most varied nor the most inspired Latin Jazz percusionist, Latin Soul is likely to be his best recent album. The Groove is here and although the style is a bit repetitive it's good fun. Anyway, it'd be tough to make classics such as Cold Duck Time boring as the rain.

Give it a try.

Increasing the momentum of mediocrity.......2000-11-15

It is often stated that the most important musical tool for musical succes is not the music itself. In the case of Poncho Sanchez this can not be more true. I do not understand how his simple arrangements and repetitive phrasing can be held in the highest regards in a musical genre that contains such a high degree of musical complexity and vast expression of individual and grouped creativity that is so ignored by the majority, only to be represented by a musician that has not progressed in his method of displaying creative emotions since he played with Cal Tjader in the seventies. His phrasing and solos have not changed since, and they are almost identical to Mongo Santamaria's and I do emphasize the word almost. At least when mongo did it, it was different than Patato's or Armando Peraza's or Aguabella's or Julio Collazo's. Just like today you can distinguish between Giovanni, Anga, and Richie Flores. Being a resident of Miami Florida, I am constantly in touch with senior percussionist from Cuba, West Africa, Puerto Rico, who all express the same disapointment in the way Poncho Sanchez' playing is regarded in America. People should not waste their time and money on a concept that has not progressed since the early sixties. The most progressive and creative productions are usually what will be mainstream in the future unless someone in the limelight decides not to take a risk. Miami is residence to some of the leaders in this movement. Even the masters Cachao and Mongo Santamaria have expressed discontent in the state of the music;so has Eddie Gua Gua Rivera, Arturo Sandoval, Ed Calle, Bobby Rodriguez, Mike Orta, Edwin Bonilla, Nestor Torres, and too many others not to make mention of the stagnant musical state. The works of The Latin Jazz Crew seem to be some of the most creative in this movement. Also, the recent best kept secret by Timbalaye brings out the potential that this musical genre has to offer. It seems that risk taking and creativity is applying standard latin signatures to standard jazz classics or creating the same feel as straight ahead jazz with a latin rythm section; which was also started back in the fifties. Then in the sixties it was "bring the Real Book and I'll get a conga player and we'll do that latin thing" which is what Poncho has been doing ever since.

Average customer rating: Truly Out of Sight Poncho is the Man A powerful new album Tight Set PONCHO IS THE MAN!

Outa Sight Poncho Sanchez Manufacturer: Concord Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Cuba | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Latin Music | Styles | Music Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Latin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: Soul of the Conga Do It! Latin Soul Conga Blue Afro-Cuban Fantasy ASIN: B0000AKY3H Release Date: 2003-09-09

Tracks:

1. One Mint Julep
2. El Shing-A-Ling
3. Hitch It To The Horse
4. Saints & Sinners
5. Mary Ann
6. Not Necessarily
7. Conmigo
8. JB's Strut
9. Out Of Sight
10. El Tambor Del Mongo

Amazon.com

Conguero Poncho Sanchez is one of the movers and shakers in Latin jazz. But while growing up in the 1960s, he was obsessed with the classic Stax and Motown sounds, and this influence peeks out from time to time in his music. Never more so than on Out Of Sight!, which actually functions as a tribute to his hero James Brown. Here Sanchez makes it funky with such soulful luminaries as Billy Preston, Ray Charles (who sings his classic "Mary Ann"), Sam Moore (of Sam And Dave fame), and Brown alumni Fred Wesley and Pee Wee Ellis. Suffice it to say, Sanchez's band and guests dig a groove deep enough to make the Godfather proud. They don't rely on the hits either; instead, choosing some lesser-known 1960s boogaloo gems and Brown jams, as well as some groovy new originals. Sanchez is surprisingly impressive on vocals here, but it's the tight and funky Latin arrangements that make this so super bad. --Tad Hendrickson

Customer Reviews:

Truly Out of Sight.......2006-01-14

When I heard that Poncho Sanchez, once dubbed the King of Latin Jazz, was pulling together a collaborative work with the likes of Ray Charles, I knew that I had to have this album. And it has not disappointed.

The arrangements and composition are amazing as usual. The music jives with the salsa and excitement you expect from Poncho Sanchez. But what makes this album unique is the throw back to the old time singers who pull together dance tunes with the feel of the 50s and 60s with the rhythm of today's hot latin grooves.

This is an album that is a must buy for folks who love Poncho Sanchez and love fusion music.

Poncho is the Man.......2004-09-02

I really enjoyed this CD. Some funky boogaloo and good Latin standards. The enhanced track that plays on your PC is fantastic! A mixture of performance and interview with Poncho. Poncho's cover of James Brown's Out of Sight is really good. The tribute to Mongo Santamaria is a great track as well. This is not my favorite Poncho Sanchez CD but it is a great CD to add to your collection.

A powerful new album.......2003-10-27

This Latin-Jazz old-timer cuts loose with a tight, funky, soul-drenched set of good old-fashioned rhythm & boogaloo... Sanchez style! On the opening track, a muscular version of "One Mint Julep," you may find yourself thinking, "Man -- that guy sounds *just like* Ray Charles!" Well, surprise -- it is! Brother Ray kicks in on a couple of tunes, and is joined on the disc by several other high-power guest artists, including Fred Wesley of the JB Horns, Billy Preston, jazzman Pee Wee Ellis, and Afro-Cuban master percussionist Francisco Aguabella, who bangs a mean bata drum on "El Tambor Del Mongo." It's a lively, earthy set that avoids, for the most part the pitfalls of the jazzier side of the Latin/Jazz equation. If you're a fan, this disc will knock your socks off!

PS - the sound on the SACD is pretty nice... and I just own a regular old CD player.

Tight Set.......2003-10-19

Poncho Sanchez is truly a Cat that knows to Blned styles together&Create His own Fusion&Vibe.Bringing Latin&RB Grooves together as one is exactly what He does on this Project.the arrangements build up&Just come at you&Never let you go from start to finish.great to Hear Brother Ray Charles on board with this set.a very tight set.

PONCHO IS THE MAN!.......2003-09-22

I believe that Poncho has a very good and musical carrer as a conguero and bandleader. He has the ability to mix and combine that Latin and R&B essence of music in this CD. I believe that we can expect a lot from Poncho in the coming years. God Bless the man. He is the Total Man. There is no one the world better him. Well no one living is better then Poncho. LONG LIVE PONCHO SANCHEZ. LONG LIVE LATIN JAZZ AND SALSA!!!!!!!!!

Average customer rating: An Instant Must-Have Favorite Fun, good salsa jazz Poncho Sanchez Ultimate Dance Party Poncho Sanchez Ultimate Dance party

Ultimate Latin Dance Party Poncho Sanchez Manufacturer: Concord Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Latin Music | Styles | Music Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Latin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Do It! Afro-Cuban Fantasy Soul Sauce: Memories of Cal Tjader Conga Blue Outa Sight ASIN: B00006LSQF Release Date: 2002-11-05

Tracks:

1. El Conguero (Live version)
2. Bodacious
3. Co Co My My
4. Cinderella (Live)
5. La Familia
6. Bien Sabroso (Live)
7. Ven Morena
8. Watermelon Man
9. Con Migo
10. Soul Sauce (Guachi Guara)
11. Going Back To New Orleans
12. Tito Medley (El Cayuco; Oye Coma Va; Clavelitos - Live)

Tracks:

1. A Night In Tunisia (Live)
2. Subway Harry
3. Yumbambe
4. Cold Duck Time
5. Lover Come Back To Me!
6. Sonando
7. Alafia
8. Papa Gato
9. Son Son Charari
10. Besame Mama (Live)
11. Early In The Mornin'

Customer Reviews:

An Instant Must-Have Favorite.......2006-12-20

Until Recently, Bobby Shew's "Caliente" was my favorite Latin Jazz CD. The day I found "Ultimate Latin Dance Party" Bobby moved to second place. This is absolutely the best high energy Latin Jazz CD I've found so far. If you are a new comer, like myself, to this genre you will love this great collection. If you grew up on the Classic Latin Standards, you should find this to be a good collection worthy of a nod from the masters from your youth.

I prefer to mostly hear the instruments and Poncho's band does not dissapoint. Each instrument gets plenty of solo time and is played with such a fervor it'll set your speakers on fire. The vocals are not so overbearing, and to leave them out would be a betrayal to the birthplaces of the songs. It all comes together so nicely you'll be working up a sweat by the third song.

In the end, this collection is garaunteed to get your hands and feet tapping, and may lead to fits of jubilant, hip-swinging dancing. From beginning to end, every song is a treat with its own flavor. If you want to jump start your Latin Collection, Poncho has created the collection to do it.

Fun, good salsa jazz.......2003-08-03

This is really a greatest hits album, with the highlights being "Watermelon Man" and "Soul Sauce". The songs are otherwise pretty evenly groovy, although I'm not as crazy about the songs with vocals. The Pancho Sanchez sound is competant jazz playing, salsa beat, and of course Pancho's congos. It's catchy and enjoyable, and you don't have to dance to it to like it.

Poncho Sanchez Ultimate Dance Party.......2002-11-06

This mixture of music lives up to it's labeled promise and lures you to the dance floor.

Poncho Sanchez Ultimate Dance party.......2002-11-06

Superb mixture of classic dance salsa and listening tunes. Bringing back the sounds of Tito Puente in medley adds to the albums promise and lure of keeping dancers on the dance floor.

Average customer rating: Competant, but too flat This is where Poncho's music comes from This one is great Poncho is like fine wine

Do It! Poncho Sanchez Manufacturer: Concord Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Cuba | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Latin Music | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Latin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz Funk | Funk | R&B | Styles | Music R&B | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Jazz | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music International | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Listen Here! Latin Soul Soul of the Conga Outa Sight Afro-Cuban Fantasy ASIN: B0009W5J32 Release Date: 2005-08-09

Tracks:

1. Tin Tin Deo
2. Ha Lese Le Di Khanna
3. Do It
4. Squib Cakes
5. Yo Quisiera
6. African Flower
7. Short Dog
8. Shotgun Slim
9. The Kyper
10. Child Of The Earth
11. Together

Customer Reviews:

Competant, but too flat.......2006-02-26

I have a few difficulties with this release. It's similar to his other albums, so the music sounds rote. Even though Tower Of Power is brought in to mix things up (to good effect on "Squib Cakes"), ultimately it doesn't help enough. I'm not a big fan of the vocal tracks, the singing is too open-mic blues night-y. Hugh Masekela's singing on "Ha Lese Le Di Khanna" is an exception, though he sounds lost on "Child Of The Earth". It's possible I may have just reached my Poncho Sanchez CD limit, and someone less familiar with his music might like it more.

This is where Poncho's music comes from.......2005-10-26

Do It is the 22nd Poncho Sanchez original recording for Concord Picante. I'm proud to say I have all of them, and Poncho simply keeps going strong. He's now exploring and showing his musical influences to the world. Great tunes overall. My favorites are Do It, Tin Tin Deo (with lyrics added), Ha Lese Le Di Khanna (very tasty African tune) and the funky Shotgun Slim. Very good album!!!

This one is great.......2005-09-11

I have always liked Poncho Sanchez's music, but never really loved it. I do have many of his dics. This one is his best hands down. No ifs ands or buts about it. Like the previous reviewer, I agree that the song Squibb Cakes stands out, but also track one, a great version of the classic Tin Tin Deo. There is no dud on the album. If you're even a little serious about jazz latina, this one is a must.

Poncho is like fine wine.......2005-09-10

Poncho's new CD is solid, the band is tight as ever, and his voice seems to have gotten stronger. As a long time fan of Tower of Power, the two tunes featuring the TOP entire band are superb, Doc's baritone sax stands out. Check out Squibb Cakes. Saw Poncho live in Seattle last night and they played "Do It", written by trombonist Francisco Torres, he is a hunk of a player, great writer/arranger too. I've been listening to and watching Poncho since his days with Cal Tjader, he just seems to get better with age, like a good red wine. This is a must for Poncho lovers.

Average customer rating: A fantastic display by El Mejor One of Poncho Sanchez's Best Dullsville Superb Disappointing effort from the master of Afro-cuban rhythms

Conga Blue Poncho Sanchez Manufacturer: Concord Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Cuba | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music General | Latin Music | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Latin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: Soul of the Conga Latin Soul Afro-Cuban Fantasy Soul Sauce: Memories of Cal Tjader Outa Sight ASIN: B000003OZ4 Release Date: 1996-09-10

Tracks:

1. Black Stockings
2. Besame Mama
3. Mambo De Cuco
4. Conga Blue
5. Dulce Amor
6. Manila
7. Watermelon Man
8. Happy Now
9. Mon Pa Mon Po
10. Para Ti

Amazon.com

The conga drum chair was always the position of honor in Cal Tjader's Latin-jazz band. In 1975, California's Poncho Sanchez took over the chair and held it until Tjader died in 1982. Since then, Sanchez has emerged as one of the top congueros and bandleaders in the genre, because he has synthesized the styles of all his predecessors into a sound that is more fluid than frenetic, more melodic than manic. No one influenced him more than Santamaria, and Sanchez's fifteenth album as a leader reunites the mentor and protégé on half of the 10 tracks. The horn and piano parts are respectable if not special, but the real action is in the percussion section, where student and teacher remind each other of the many ways to chop up a measure of music. --Geoffrey Himes

Customer Reviews:

A fantastic display by El Mejor.......2001-07-16

Yes, the tempo is slow, but Santamaria and Poncho on the same recording itself is enough to make this worth listening to. The conga interaction with the rest of the percussion and the rest of the instruments is flawless. I could listen to this album all day! I think that this ranks high on my list of Sanchez albums.

One of Poncho Sanchez's Best.......2001-04-22

As far as I know, Mongo Santamaria came out of semi-retirement to play on this CD, and his presence adds greatness to an already very good concept album. "Besame Mama" is the vocal highpoint--so good it's chilling. Virtually every selection is a smoker.

Dullsville.......2000-09-14

Sure, Watermelon Man (patterned after the Gerald Wilson recording) is fun, but the rest is unimaginative and uninspired. Mostly it's about the band leader's bongo solos, which are boring indeed. A genuine disappointment.

Superb.......2000-06-12

I disagree with the last review. On the contrary, this has emerged to me as the best Poncho Sanchez album. There are no weak cuts composed by the band (which does often happem), and the percussion is out of this world. It is true that the piano parts are weak, and have been since Charlie Otwell left the band, but where else do you have so much play on percussion during the montuno sections? The kind of percusive improvization you see on this album is badly needed in Latin Jazz. Yes the tempos or slow, but enjoy how the musicians weave through the music at the end of each cut, draw it out, and work with it. I prefer this to up tempo cuts with tight arangements. The percussion alone, which emerges strongly at the end of each tune, makes this album unique, and perhaps the most truly latin of all of Poncho Sanchez' work.

Disappointing effort from the master of Afro-cuban rhythms.......2000-05-25

I wouldn't just flat out say that this album doesn't rate a puchase, but I would say that I definitely rank Conga Blue far behind the absolutely fabulous live Latin Soul album and the ocasionally average but often fabulous Afro-Cuban Fantasy disc.

These recordings, other than a very few, just didn't have much flavor to them. The tempo of the album as a whole is much slower paced than the other listed recordings which is nice but doesn't really turn me on.

Check out Latin Jazz first then Afro-Cuban Fantasy and finally if you have to Conga Blue.

Average customer rating: Just great latin groove Stellar Another triumph for the master Poncho's Best Power to the Poncho

Afro-Cuban Fantasy Poncho Sanchez Manufacturer: Concord Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Cuba | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music General | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music General | Latin Music | Styles | Music Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Latin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: Latin Soul Soul of the Conga Conga Blue Soul Sauce: Memories of Cal Tjader Latin Spirits ASIN: B00000C40C Release Date: 1998-09-29

Tracks:

1. Ritmo Remo
2. Morning
3. Subway Harry
4. Guapacha
5. Darn That Dream
6. Sambroso
7. Willow Weep For Me
8. Afro-Cuban Fantasy
9. Ven Pa Bailar
10. Close Your Eyes
11. I Remember Spring
12. Playboy's Theme

Amazon.com

Noted conguero Poncho Sanchez is back on the scene with another infectious album that extended the legacy of his tenure with Cal Tjader's Orchestra. As the titled suggests, Afro-Cuban Fantasy is a celebration of the various dance rhythms that are now known as Latin jazz. A dynamic player with a penchant for muscular rhythm, Sanchez's arrangements exude the calmer energy that's more associated with West-coast jazz as opposed to the ecstatic frenzy of the New York and Miami scene. The plush orchestra of burnished brass sails elegantly over the rumbling rhythms of congas, timbales, and percussion, resulting in an swooning, enticing affair that simmers more than it sizzles. The regal Dianne Reeves contributes some authoritative vocals on several tracks. She ups the ante of excitement on Clare Fisher's "Morning" and seduces wonderfully on the sensuous, "Darn That Dream." As for the instrumentals, Sanchez keenly demonstrates his versatility as he moves from the party-flavored cha-cha on "Subway Harry" to the sensational samba of "Sambroso." This is a delightful CD that sparkles with the danceable reverie of New York's Palladium Ballroom. --John Murph

Customer Reviews:

Just great latin groove.......2006-03-08

I must admitt that I was not familiar with the name Poncho Sanchez until 5-6 months ago. My son are studying conga playing and and he brought home the instruction book by Poncho,,and bought some records as well. This one was the first one I heard and it brought back some fond memories of some records by Mongo Santamaria that I still got,,from the sixties. I now realised how much those old recordings by Mongo have meant to me during the years and when listening to Ponhco my old love for the latin jazz was there again. My gosh...it is is really funky
Some tunes that I really love is

Subway Harry...it really reminds mne of the funky grooves by Mongo Santamaria..that chacha groove kills me

Darn that Dream...with Diane Reeves wonderful singing that really "spice up" the the tune and with Ponchos relaxed conga playing backing her up

Willow Weep For me...done as a chacha...Beautful flute solo by
Scott Martin

Afro Cuban Fantasy...great percussion work allover,,the tune hints to Mc Coy Tyner especially David Torres pianoplaying

Close Your Eyes....ballad chacha with a cookin soprano solo by Scott Marin

This is music that you get addicted to..

Stellar.......2005-02-19

There's often a big divide between the West coast scene and the East coast when it comes to Latin jazz and, for that matter, salsa. It's strange for me at times because, being Cuban and having family that left when the terrorist Castro took over, I now find myself in Miami with some family in NYC. So, I am fully emersed in the East coast scene now (and have been for over 10 years) and absolutely LOVE it. HOWEVER...I grew up in San Francisco and lived there over 20 years. I grew up with a very healthy dose of Tjader, Baker, Pepper, Getz, Escovedo, the whole Haight street scene that became Ubiquity and Cubop - Matos, Santos, Vasquez, etc. That is still in my blood and courses through my veins to this day and I absolutely love it. So when I hear or read some idiot going off about how some West coast release isn't solid enough or is too laid back or that some East coast release is too firey and brash...it just makes me sick. Life's too short for that kind of mentality and, to be honest, in the end that type of opinion doesn't make a bit of difference. What does make the difference is the beautiful music contained on a release, the spirit it evokes, the community, the magic, and the feelings.
This release, it has it all.

Poncho is amazing to begin with. He always has been. You can get an even better sense of that through not just his music, but his contributions over at Descarga. And with this, we get so much offered to us, you only have to take advantage of it by buying it and listening to it. Once you do, you'll immeditately tap into what Poncho is giving and you'll feel what he's saying. And it's solid and it's amazing, as always. From beginning to end, this cd moves and sends you just like you want to be moved and sent. When I first heard some of it, I thought I was immediately listening to some of my old Fania records...like some long lost cross of Joe Bataan, Eddie Palmieri, Willie Colon and Johnny Pacheco, with Hector Lavoe laying down vocals. It just has that sense of community feel, and that tight of musicianship.

Make no doubt about it, get this release right away. You will not regret it.

Another triumph for the master.......2001-05-10

I guess I am a bit surprised to hear so many reviewers talking about how 'lite' the sound is on this disc. I guess you can certainly classify the sound as non driving but it's the subtlety that makes this such a great disc. And although it may be 'lite' I always find myself wanting to get up and salsa. So take that for what it's worth.

Pancho is just the master. My only disappointment is with Guapacha which to me is kinda bland (although I don't speak spanish so perhaps i'm missing something). Plus i've heard much better versions of Darn that Dream than this one. The album would actually have been better without these two cuts because the rest of the material is very rhythmic.

The highlight of the album though has to be the title cut 'Afro Cuban Fantasy'. I heard them play it live at WolfTrap (northern Virginia) about 2 years ago and it was beyond awesome. Papa Rodriguez played some incomprehensible rhythms during the performance. I swear that I had never heard a rhythm like that but when I heard it the sound was so logical it was like a revelation. The next best has to be 'Morning' with Dianne Reeves doing a great job of scattin'.

I personally like the Latin Soul album more than this one but this is the album that introduced me to Poncho so it get's alot of time in my player.

Buy it!

Poncho's Best.......2000-07-09

If you have to pick one Latin jazz CD to buy, it should be this one. From start to finish, it never disappoints. The rhythms, the horns, everything blends together to make some of the most incredible music you ever heard.

And Dianne Reeves' appearance certainly doesn't hurt. On the lush ballad "I Remember Spring," she charms the listener into a contented calm, though "Darn That Dream" doesn't really do much for me. "Morning," a beautiful tune, is one of the best tracks on the CD, just on the strength of Reeves' wild scatting. It's like nothing you've ever heard, like a sort of exotic birdcall. The song keeps building, through Scott Martin's scorching sax solo, through the chorus of "Una mañana" (which you'll find yourself repeating constantly), and until the moment the song fades out.

But the main attraction here is Poncho and his band, and they give you something to keep hitting the "repeat" button for. Standouts are the laid-back "Sambroso" and "Guapacha," Poncho's singing on "Ven Pa Bailar," and the lovely "Willow Weep for Me" cha-cha.

But the three best are "Close Your Eyes," the title track, and "Playboy's Theme." On "Close Your Eyes" (inspired by Cal Tjader's dreamy version with underrated great Jose "Chombo" Silva), Martin (one of the best sax players around by my measure) gets the spotlight and gives a smooth, romantic solo performance. "Afro-Cuban Fantasy" is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. The breezy title track, "Afro-Cuban Fantasy" shows the epitome of the band's cool-salsa West Coast style. (However quiet this song seems, it is VERY loud when performed live!) And the dynamic "Playboy's Theme" is the band at its hot, spicy best! Arranged for them to play at a Playboy anniversary Jazz Festival, this explosive Latin jam gets you right from the beginning. Fantastic solos are everywhere, and you'll keep listening to this one again and again. (It's even more fun if you've heard the original by Cy Coleman, which can be found on Ultra-Lounge Volume 4, Bachelor Pad Royale.)

This is an amazing CD, for either Latin or jazz fans, or both, and a great introduction to Sanchez's stellar band. Don't miss this one!

Power to the Poncho.......2000-07-07

Loud, soaring brass and sax give this album a loud, big-bandish sound; though very distinctive due to the bouncing latin percussion in the background.

All in all, I'd say this CD is well worth listening to: I was especially impressed with the saxophonist; Scott Martin (who also played the flute). Which brings up another point: flutes sound AWESOME in Latin Jazz. I highly recommend "Willow Weep for Me."

Aside from being a bit too bright for my tastes, I only had a few gripes with the album. First, the bright thing is just the style of music, but I thought "I Remember Spring" took it a bit too far and became overly sappy.

Finally, my main complaint with this album was the mixing job. Percussion was invariably placed at the back, making the rhythm section sound weak - especially for latin jazz. Even during the solos, the arranger usually put a repetetive piano or xeilaphone part over top of the percussion, making it more difficult to listen to.

My favourite tracks would have to be "Willow Weep for Me", "Afro-Cuban Fantasy" and "Playboy's Theme". Afro-Cuban had an awesome melody-line (loud, powerful, soaring) and great piano/conga parts. Playboy's Theme was probly my favourite as far as soloing goes. "Morning," featuring vocalist Diane Reeves another one of the album's best tracks.

Average customer rating: It's never too late Sad and Beautiful

Poncho & Lefty Townes Van Zandt Manufacturer: Atom ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music Outlaw & Progressive Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Country Rock | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Country | Imports | Stores | Music Folk | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Legend At My Window A Gentle Evening with Townes Van Zandt Flyin' Shoes Rear View Mirror, Vol. 2 ASIN: B0001MXR7U Release Date: 2004-03-15

Tracks:

1. Be Here to Love Me
2. Kathleen
3. Our Mother the Mountain
4. St. John the Gambler
5. Snake Mountain Blues
6. For the Sake of the Song
7. Waiting Around to Die
8. Don't Take It Too Bad
9. Colorado Girl
10. I'll Be Here in the Morning
11. None But the Rain
12. Delta Momma Blues
13. Turnstyled, Junkpiled
14. Tower Song
15. Come Tomorrow
16. Brand New Companion
17. Where I Lead Me
18. Two Hands

Tracks:

1. To Live Is to Fly
2. Mr. Mudd and Mr. Gold
3. High, Low and in Between
4. No Lonesome Tune
5. Don't Let the Sunshine Fool Ya'
6. Honkey Tonkin'
7. Fraulein
8. Poncho and Lefty
9. If I Needed You
10. Heavenly Houseboat Blues
11. Fraternity Blues
12. Tecumseh Valley
13. Lungs
14. Only Him or Me
15. Loretta
16. No Place to Fall
17. Flyin' Shoes
18. Who Do You Love

Album Details

A Superb Collection of 36 Tracks Covering a Prolific Ten Year Period of Writing from the Late, Great Poet from Texas. Includes "Our Mother the Mountain", "Heavenly Houseboat Blues" and "John the Gambler".

Customer Reviews:

It's never too late .......2006-11-10

After viewing Margaret Brown's documentary on Townes Van Zandt,"Be Here to
Love Me" I was drawn to TVZ's songs. It came as no surprise that Lyle Lovett's tribute to Texas song writers "Step Inside this House" contains
3 songs by TVZ.Although I have been listening to this type of music for many years, I was new to this treasure. So it is indeed never too late to
experience this troubled wordsmith.

Sad and Beautiful.......2006-07-18

This appears to be the current incarnation of "Anthology 1968-1979," minus four tracks, the last two on each CD. TVZ could write some of the most beautiful, moving songs you'll ever hear, and sing them with an understated sincerity that no cover could match. Think of Hank Williams with a 1960s/1970s folk sensibility. This is missing some gems like Greensboro Woman, Rex's Blues and When She Don't Need Me, but is otherwise the best currently available overview of the first 10 years of his career. Buy this despite the misspelling of "Pancho." Surprisingly, Amazon UK (www.amazon.co.uk) appears to have a better selection of TVZ's works than Amazon U.S., including the incomparable "Live at the Old Quarter."

Average customer rating: Awesome multi-channel Poncho!!

Conga Blue Poncho Sanchez Manufacturer: Concord Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Cuba | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music General | Latin Music | Styles | Music Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Latin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade; Stravinsky: Song of the Nightingale [Hybrid SACD] J.S. Bach: Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin, BWV 1001-1006 Dark Side of the Moon 30th Anniversary Edition Kind of Blue ASIN: B00009WVRQ Release Date: 2003-07-22

Tracks:

1. Black Stockings
2. Bme Mam
3. Mambo de Cuco
4. Conga Blues
5. Dulce Amor
6. Manila
7. Watermelon Man
8. Happy Now
9. Mon Pa Mon Po
10. Para Ti

Customer Reviews:

Awesome multi-channel Poncho!!.......2006-03-23

Latin-Jazz in sacd/multi-channel sound.Sign me up! There is very little latin-jazz available in the sacd format(and no salsa at all) So to be able to hear Pocho's spectacular conga drumming in full multi-channel glory is sonic nirvana! This is a great cd in any format but the sacd sonics elevate it above and beyond. Excellant production,latin percussion that will amaze and delight make this one a must have.

Average customer rating: Truly a Mixed Bag Poncho is the head Honcho Poncho's Best Yet Pure Poncho! "digs deep into the Soul of Jazz - Viva Latin Jazz"

Soul of the Conga Poncho Sanchez Manufacturer: Concord Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Cuba | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Latin Music | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Latin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music Brazilian & Latin Jazz | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music International Jazz | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | Latin Music | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Latin Soul Afro-Cuban Fantasy Conga Blue Outa Sight Do It! ASIN: B00004XN1B Release Date: 2000-09-12

Tracks:

1. Joseito
2. Oye Lo
3. Venga A Bailar Bailadores (Changui)
4. Moon Pie
5. Haitian Lady
6. Cosas Del Alma
7. Nengon
8. Virtue
9. Days Of Wine And Roses
10. Fania Fungue (Co Co)
11. Stella By Starlight
12. Bodacious Q
13. Asi Asi
14. Rumba De Po-Tiz

Amazon.com

For his 20th (!) Concord album and follow-up to his Grammy-winning Latin Soul, master conguero Poncho Sanchez takes cues from the Buena Vista Social Club and some homegrown Philly organ soul. Sanchez's music is traditional, but infused with creative brass arrangements, simmering rhythms, and explosive percussion, and his mambos and montunos are impossible to resist. With organist Joey DeFrancesco, trumpeter Terence Blanchard, and traditional Cuban vocal troupe The Ortiz Brothers, Soul of the Conga is full-on funky, with popping rhythms and meaty solo excursions. DeFrancesco boils on "Moon Pie," which recalls Eddie Harris, and you'll find the dance floor irresistible when "Haitian Lady" kicks in. The Ortiz Brothers get busy on the fragrant "Asi Asi," the "Oye Como Va"-ish groove of "Oye Lo," and the organ-brass mix of fantasy and melancholia on "Virtue." Throughout, Sanchez's horn arrangements keep everything cooking, like spicy sauce over a percolating percussion barbecue. Alas, Blanchard's lovely brass teases on "Stella on Starlight" do nothing for the album's one dud, which sounds lifeless, airless, and oddly grooveless. But that is a rare moment on a brilliant album, which closes with the heavy conga-bongo jamming of "Rumba De Po-Tiz." Outstanding! --Ken Micallef

Customer Reviews:

Truly a Mixed Bag.......2006-02-02

I bought this CD several years ago after enjoying Sanchez' magnificent Afro-Cuban Fantasy. I did not like Soul of the Conga as much as the other, so this languished on my shelf until recently when I decided to give it another shot.
My small complaint is that there is too much "jungle boogie" here. Maybe its a little more authentic, and it seems to give Sanchez more spotlight for his percussive skills, but I prefer some of the band's horn and organ driven selections more.
Here are my favorites:
1)Joseito-A grand, rousing instrumental that opens the action. Organ reminiscent of Brian Auger.
4)Moon Pie-A powerful sax-driven piece.
5)Haitian Lady-Yet another powerful instrumental
6)Cosas del Alma-The best vocal. A simmering romantic ballad.
8)Virtue-a fine and hard-driving horn-based instrumental.
9)Days of Wine and Roses-another funky, horn-driven tune.
and
12)Bodacious Q-A funky cut with keyboards evocative of Ramsey Lewis.
Despite that I give Soul of the Conga just three stars, that doesn't mean I dislike it. In this case, the three star rating comes because though I like the instrumental selections a lot, I find most of the vocal cuts to be merely decent and often repetitious. Its truly a mixed bag. But there are plenty of tunes to like, and at the price its being offered here, you can't lose!

Poncho is the head Honcho.......2000-10-04

The conga master does it again...from "Joseito" to "Rumba De Po-Tiz"; Soul of the Conga is a full-fledged Latin Par-tay! I first heard about Sanchez after he won the Grammy for Latin Soul and this CD picks up where that one left off. Soul of the Conga finds Poncho on another spirited journey of Latin Jazz with plenty of festive fire. In fact, if you're a fan of Afro Cuban Jazz, then this CD is a definite must. Poncho has a killer band (especially the Torres Brothers), but also brings some very special guests along for the ride, Hammond B-3 maestro Joey Defrancesco (on Henry Mancini's "Days of Wine and Roses"), trumpeter Terence Blanchard (on "Stella by Starlight") and the Ortiz Brothers, five brothers who add a festive vibe with their group singing (check out track 2, "Oye Lo"). Bar none, Poncho Sanchez continues to prove that he is the premier conga player on the scene today.

Poncho's Best Yet.......2000-10-02

When I lived in Long Beach, CA, I had the pleasure of seeing Poncho Sanchez play live and shop for records, both within the space of a month...his live act was both tight and not uptight, while his taste in music was eclectic...I ran into him in the Gospel section at Tower Records...It is not overstatement to say that this is his best recording yet...several songs are straight out of the rhumba tradition of Cuba, with the Ortiz brothers making sounds that could be a hundred years old, classic Son from Cuba...amazing! And then there is the meeting of Joey De Francesco with Poncho Sanchez's group, which works in a fantastic way. Mr. Sanchez manages to keep his recordings fresh by bringing in guests...this is the most musically satisfying of his recent efforts and perhaps all recent salsa recordings.

Pure Poncho!.......2000-09-27

A new release by Poncho Sanchez is always a pleasant surprise. On the one hand, Poncho plays what I like to call, fundamental Latin-Jazz. However, Poncho always manages to come up with a few new surprises (and guests) along the way.

On SOUL OF THE CONGA we experience a little "Changui tipico" from Cuba with Poncho and the Ortiz Brothers. Next, some Latin-Jazz with special guest, Joey De Francesco and his Hammond B-3 Organ.

In my opinion, the only other musician that could hold his own in a Latin setting was the late, great Charlie Palmieri. However, Joey De Francesco does an admirable job of adding a new element to the music without overpowering the rest of the band.

Poncho has matured as a band leader since his apprenticeship with the late master of the vibraphone, Cal Tjader.

I really enjoyed this CD and highly recommend it. Thank You Poncho for keeping it real!

"digs deep into the Soul of Jazz - Viva Latin Jazz".......2000-09-17

In a fiery follow-up to his Grammy Award-winning "Latin Soul", the master conguero Poncho Sanchez, digs deep into this his latest release from Concord Records - "Soul of the Conga". Here, Sanchez presents his own brand of Latin jazz, infused with soul jazz of the Hammond B-3 phenomenon with Joey DeFrancesco, and the cool-tones of trumpeter Terence Blanchard, featuring the traditional, vintage Cuban roots of changui with The Ortiz Brothers.

Stand outs: "JOSEITO", augmented blues, perfect for DeFrancesco's grooving organ, with Scott Martin the composer of this selection, on tenor-sax with a solid solo - "DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES", from the late great composer Henry Mancini, Latinized version with intoxicating rhythm and DeFrancesco infectious style comes through with flying colors.

Highlight: "STELLA BY STARLIGHT", Victor Young's haunting tune, with the smooth-tones of Terence Blanchard on trumpet, simply classic and never sounding better, by Sanchez and friends.

Wonderful to see Latin jazz music growing all over the world, receiving the recognition they truly deserve. This album and music is not just for Latino people, but for everyone - gets under your skin and spreads enjoyment throughout your soul!

Total Time: 68:45 on 14 Tracks/ Concord Records - CCD 4894 2 (2000)

Music Album:

1. Poor Man's Troubles
2. Porchlight
3. Real Special Feelin'
4. Remember
5. Restless/Cluck Old Hen [CD-single]
6. Reunion - Can't Get the Hell Out of Texas [Import]
7. Roll on John [Import]
8. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
9. Shaky Ground
10. Someday, Sometime, Somehow

Music Album