Music Artist of the Month-El Gran Combo-May 2005

[peachexploration]

Excerpts taken from musicofpuertorico.com

El Gran Combo is undoubtedly an institution in Puerto Rico's music history. The group's first album: "Acángana" was released in 1963. At first, the initial distribution was made throughout Mexico, Panama and Venezuela where the album was well received and widely played. The album was later distributed in New York then Puerto Rico, where it became a gold record hit.

Despite numerous personnel changes, the group's fame spread internationally. Problems with record labels forced the group to produce their own albums independently for a while, forcing one of the members to mortgage their house to fund their production costs. This resulted in the establishment of their own label: EGC and its first production; an album entitled: "El Momo de Oro".

In 1971, the trombone, played by Epifanio (Fanny) Ceballo, was introduced by the band. Ceballo stayed with the band until his death from cancer in 1991. The first album featuring this new sound was "De punta a punta" which included such classic hits as "Don Goyo", "Achilipú" and "Le dicen papá". The album won the best album award at Miami's Gold Record Festival.

The release of gold record El Gran Combo en Las Vegas in 1978 allayed the fears of many who worried about more of the band's personnel changes.
The 1980's opened with the release of yet another gold album: Aquí no se sienta nadie and a successful tour in Peru.

On their 20th anniversary, the group received several local and international awards, including the "El Congo de Oro" in Colombia, an honarary resolution from the Senate of Puerto Rico and another from the town of Dorado, and the Paoli Prize (Puerto Rico). Two years later they toured Alaska, bringing the hot sound of salsa to that snowy climate and producing the album Breaking the Ice - El Gran Combo en Alaska which earned them a Grammy nomination.

Madison Square Garden in New York City, was the venue for a historic concert for the band in 1982 where they triumphantly celebrated their silver (25 years) anniversary. Only five years later, on their 30th anniversary, similar special events were scheduled to celebrate the occasion. The celebrations continued in Madrid where audiences and the press raved. On their return to Puerto Rico, the Senate awarded them with a resolution proclaiming the band "Ambassadors of Our Music". But the final capstone event was a concert in San Juan's Hiram Bithorn stadium before 30,000 fans, joined by Andy Montañez, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Jerry Rivera, Alex D'Castro, Johnny Ventura and La Sonora Ponceña.

Throughout the years, this legandary combo has produced uncounted salsa hits with a distinctive sound, as is evident in this song: Aguacero, known as salsa vieja. Some of their better known classic hits are: El Menú and Timablero.

Today, El Gran Combo's members include: Rafael Ithier (musical director, piano), Charlie Aponte, Jerry Rivas and Papo Rosario (vocals); Taty Maldonado (trumpet); Víctor Rodríguez and Moisés Nogueras (trombones); Freddie Miranda (sax), Eddie Pérez (alto sax); Freddie Rivera (bass); Miguel Torres (congas); Domingo Santos (timbales) and Mitchell Laboy (bongó).

[MacMoto]

Thanks for the info, Peach. I'm a big Gran Combo fan! :D

Do you have any album recommendations? I like "Nuevo Milenio", which I bought on recommendation from a local DJ. Another one, which may divide opinions here, is "Salsa Classics Revisited". This is a 2-CD collection of remixes, and although some songs in it don't work for me, I really like the versions of "Se Me Fue" and "Me Libere" with Alfredo De La Fe's violin in this album (classic fans can stone me now :lol:).

[peachexploration]

Hi Mac. I love them as well. They are one of the most "polished" Salsa groups out there. The live shows are just as good if not better than their CDs. Their slick horn section is like no other in the business. Very clean and distinctive. One of my absolute favorites by them is "Azuquita Pal Cafe" (Sugar for my coffee) :banana: I love their newest CD as well. Mi Gorda Bonia tricks you a little at first. You think is a ranchero song and before you know it, you get zapped by EGC magic. I like all the songs but "El Matrimonio" and "Esa Eres", really stand out for me. They also have two of the most beautiful boleros on here "Amor Que Te Di" and "Por Siempre". Great CD! :D

Title: Aqui Estamos y de Verdad

1. Mi Gorda Bonia
2. Matrimonio
3. Amor Perfecto
4. Me Dejó en el Aire
5. Pa' Arriba No Va
6. Para Querer un Te Quiero
7. Esa Eres
8. Amor Que Te Di
9. Por Siempre
10. Siete Vidas

[MacMoto]

Title: Aqui Estamos y de Verdad
Thanks! :D I like "Amor Perfecto" and "Me Dejo En El Aire" a lot. Hmm, I feel an Amazon shopping session coming on... :roll:

[jimedoc]

Yep, i love their last album too (me dejo en el aire is my favorite).
Another great album is "aniversario 40 en vivo", a great concert to celebrate their 40th aniversary.

[squirrel]

On eof my favourite bands... :)

[la celia]

I love them!!!! "In alaska breaking the ice" is wonderful!I like it a lot!!!! :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D [/i]

[peachexploration]

Anyone else an EGC fan?

[Rey de la Pista]

without a doubt, my favorite orquesta ever. :banana:
like el gran combo there is no other :notworthy:

[peachexploration]

Hi Rey! Good to "see" you! It's been a couple of months. :)

[Rey de la Pista]

yeah.... waaaay too busy
i should be around more often soon :D

[Cro_salsa_Addict]

Anyone else an EGC fan?

yep, 1of my fav`s are
El Preso, Lloraras, Me Libere...

[peachexploration]

Anyone else an EGC fan?

yep, 1of my fav`s are
El Preso, Lloraras, Me Libere...

El Preso? Lloraras? What CD are they on? I don't have all their CDs. :) The only ones I am familiar with is Fruko Y Sus Tesos' El Preso and Lloraras by Oscar De Leon.

[Cro_salsa_Addict]

Unfortunately at my place I didn`t find any of their cds, so all I have of them I get over p2p sharing.
Don`t know on which album are those songs :(

[lucretia]

One of my favorite bands :D . I got a bunch of their songs today. My favorites are El Amor Es Ciego and Lloraras.


/luc

[peachexploration]

Okay, looks like "Lloraras" is the same song for both Oscar De Leon and El Gran Combo. Haven't heard EGC's version though. :(

[jimedoc]

One of my favorites songs: Teléfono

[squirrel]

Yo soy la muerte... :)

[Rey de la Pista]

uff! so many favorites...
carbonero, no hay cama pa tanta gente, te vas a arrepentir, los celos de mi compay, ojos chinos, azuquita pal cafe, la loma del tamarindo, y no hago mas na, un verano en ny...
i could go on for hours, too much good music

[peachexploration]

Last few days for May Artist of the month. Anyone else? :)

[borikenSalsero]

Vagabundo became my fav about 2 years ago. Andy Montañez was playing at el Flamigo's that monday late evening, and he gave an intro that left me speechless.

He said, more or less, I'm about to have kids, again, and I have asked my wife to cut down on costs beacuse things are hard for us, so please buy my CDs and support us, because I don't want my kids to be (Screaming out of the top of his lungs) VAGABUNDO!

and the band goes into the hottest rendition I've ever heard of Vagabundo, and for that matter any live song. It was so incredible that everyone in the place, I mean everyone stopped dancing and started screaming and clapping. WOW!

Even though he isn't part of it, La universidad de la Salsa is absolutely incredible. If you ever wonder what Puerto Rican salsa is, grab any Gran Combo album and it will scream PUERTO RICO at you!.

BTW, did everybody know that El Gran Combo is the only Salsa band that Lost a lead singer of the magnitude of Andy, yet never suffer the least bit from it? Although, IMHO, there are no better years for El GC than those with Andy, they are still as kicking today as they ever were!

[peachexploration]

......BTW, did everybody know that El Gran Combo is the only Salsa band that Lost a lead singer of the magnitude of Andy, yet never suffer the least bit from it? Although, IMHO, there are no better years for El GC than those with Andy, they are still as kicking today as they ever were!

This is what I think makes EGC so special. They are truly unique. This is very rare for any group to achieve. Mostly, after the lead singer leaves, the group fizzles. The other thing is having longevity without compromising. Today's music is so "image" driven but in the midst of all that chaos, EGC's "music" just shines through. Just awesome.

[peachexploration]

:rocker: Yeah Baby! :banana: Jammin' to Me Libere! :banana:

[salcero2005]

Okay, looks "Llorara" is the same song for both Oscar De Leon and El Gran Combo. Haven't heard EGC's version though. :(

El Canario and Son Boricua also have versions of this song. I have not heard Gran Combos.

[Rey de la Pista]

Okay, looks like "Lloraras" is the same song for both Oscar De Leon and El Gran Combo. Haven't heard EGC's version though. :(

El Canario and Son Boricua also have versions of this song. I have not heard Gran Combos.
I'm fairly sure El Gran Combo never recorded a version of Llorarás.
I wonder how this rumor got started because I have friends who have asked me for the same thing.

[peachexploration]

Rey, I did a search on lyrics for "Lloraras" and a version by EGC does seem to come up although nothing with a sound clip to completely convince me that it does actually exist. :lol: The lyrics are the same which means either they did a cover of it at some point or someone got the Artist incorrect a while back and it never got corrected. :?

[Rey de la Pista]

Rey, I did a search on lyrics for "Lloraras" and a version by EGC does seem to come up although nothing with a sound clip to completely convince me that it does actually exist. :lol: The lyrics are the same which means either they did a cover of it at some point or someone got the Artist incorrect a while back and it never got corrected. :?
yeah, that's exactly what makes me think that someone got the artist incorrect awhile back and it never got corrected- the fact that the lyrics are the exact same when you do a search.

even when salseros do a cover of an older song, the lyrics usually are different at least during el soneo/son montuno where they improvise.

and like you, i'm skeptical since i am yet to hear any sound clips. hehe

[HothouseSalsero]

It's a cliche, but it's also true (so maybe that's why it's a cliche*), that El Gran Combo has had, and continues to have, an amazing run as a dance band. How can a band that released its first recording in 1962 (I believe) be putting out stand-out dance floor material in 2005, avoiding becoming a nostalgia act?

I've noticed that when I make salsa compilations for people who don't dance salsa (and aren't particularly into Afro-Latin music), I rarely receive any comments about the El Gran Combo tracks. If it's really true that people without a dancing relationship to salsa aren't particularly impressed with El Gran Combo (and I admit that I am basing this on a very small survey sample, so it may not even be true), it's probably because El Gran Combo have always been a dance band, first and foremost. To me, a lot of their brilliance lies in their ability to make relatively simple, danceable--sometimes irresistibly danceable--, music, that somehow manages to remain fresh and often inventive despite their long career. Some of their songs almost sound like "commands" to do certain movements. At the very least, I can't hear certain parts of "Don Goyo" without imagining the movement of partners switching places. It's like hearing dance itself.

(Caveat: their music may not be as simple as I think it is. I'm not a musician. I'm just thinking that in comparison to the sort of obviously complex arrangments of Sonora Poncena or Tipica 73, El Gran Combo usually seems to go for something relatively simpler.)

*That's another cliche.

[peachexploration]

...... To me, a lot of their brilliance lies in their ability to make relatively simple, danceable--sometimes irresistibly danceable--, music, that somehow manages to remain fresh and often inventive despite their long career......You're so right, HHS. :) Yeah, EGC is quite rare. Not many bands are blessed with longevity. The other thing about EGC is probably that they have basically stuck to their guns so to speak and not let the changes in the music industry ruin or alter their focus of music. They have a distinctive sound and for me, I immediately know them once I hear the slightest inkling of their horn section. Not to say that they're predictable but they have a sound and style that is really appealing to people. Not many musicians have that either or maybe sometimes not really allowed to tap into what makes them special. EGC has maintained their style of music throughout the years and I think that contributes to their longevity as well. :D

[borikenSalsero]

Okay, looks like "Lloraras" is the same song for both Oscar De Leon and El Gran Combo. Haven't heard EGC's version though. :(

El Canario and Son Boricua also have versions of this song. I have not heard Gran Combos.
I'm fairly sure El Gran Combo never recorded a version of Llorarás.
I wonder how this rumor got started because I have friends who have asked me for the same thing.

I agree with Rey De La Pista, El Gran Combo has never recorded a version of Lloraras. If I'm not mistaken, they do have a couple of songs with the names Llore, or lloras, another with llorar, but they do not have a remake of Lloraras...

If I'm not mistaken, EL Canario's lloraras was recorded when el canario and Oscar D' Leon did a concert together... At least that is what I heard...

[peachexploration]

Listening to "Me Dejo En El Aire" earlier and now some killer strings on "Me Libere". :banana: :banana: :banana:

[Mala]

Is the song Emergencia de amor by them? Lloraras and me libere and el matrimonio are all salsa classics, of course, and much loved by alomost everyone. But I've been looking for this song--if it's by them at all, that is.

mala

[peachexploration]

Is the song Emergencia de amor by them? Lloraras and me libere and el matrimonio are all salsa classics, of course, and much loved by alomost everyone. But I've been looking for this song--if it's by them at all, that is.

malaI think Emergencia De Amor by Puerto Rican Power but I'm not for sure. Also, do you mean Lloraras by Oscar De Leon? :)

[peachexploration]

EL Gran Combo in Orlando, October 30, 2005. :rocker: :banana:

[Mala]

Sigh. Lucky you!
And as for the rest of us--who is the artist of the month for october?

mala

[peachexploration]

Sigh. Lucky you!
And as for the rest of us--who is the artist of the month for october?

mala :arrow: Oscar D'Leon (http://www.salsaforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=836) :)

[Cro_salsa_Addict]

I searched internet and also found that Lloraras must be by Oscar de Leon, and El Preso by Fruko, I think most people get wrong information because some1 applyed wrong information on p2p sharing.
And then some1 like me download it and spread wrong info.
I would buy their cds but at my country aren`t any cdshops where I can buy it :( (Salsa Cds are very rare but it`s going to better :) )
It`s good to have sites like this where u can get right info :)

[Mala]

Some of these songs have several artists..that's probably the problem.

mala

[lucretia]

Does anyone know the name of the CD where there are several remixes of El Gran Comb? Lloraras for example turns into hip hop after the classical version is played.

I love this record and want to buy it. I can provide a soundsample - from a club - if anyone wants.

/Luc

[lucretia]

Okay, looks like "Lloraras" is the same song for both Oscar De Leon and El Gran Combo. Haven't heard EGC's version though. :(

El Canario and Son Boricua also have versions of this song. I have not heard Gran Combos.
I'm fairly sure El Gran Combo never recorded a version of Llorarás.
I wonder how this rumor got started because I have friends who have asked me for the same thing.

I agree with Rey De La Pista, El Gran Combo has never recorded a version of Lloraras. If I'm not mistaken, they do have a couple of songs with the names Llore, or lloras, another with llorar, but they do not have a remake of Lloraras...

If I'm not mistaken, EL Canario's lloraras was recorded when el canario and Oscar D' Leon did a concert together... At least that is what I heard...

Well ...know I have read the previous posts in this thread....
I have a song called Lloraras performed by EL Gran Combo on my hard disk :shock: . Is it a fake one :evil: :lol:
I remember the album was called something with millenium ....NUEVO MILENIO Í think it was called.

/luc

[peachexploration]

....Well ...know I have read the previous posts in this thread....
I have a song called Lloraras performed by EL Gran Combo on my hard disk :shock: . Is it a fake one :evil: :lol:
I remember the album was called something with millenium ....NUEVO MILENIO Í think it was called.

/lucI have that CD but there's no "Lloraras" on it. :)

Songs on that CD are:
1. El Amor Es Ciego
2. SE Nos Perdio El Amor
3. Me Libere
4. Viva Puente
5. Amigos
6. Dime Que Quieres
7. Me Muero Por Ella
8. Nadie Como Ella

Lucreta, can you post a clip sample for us? :)

[HothouseSalsero]

I was at a club last night where the DJ played a remix of Lloraras with 50 Cent's "In Da Club" mixed over it. I was not amused. But that's another thread (one I need to dredge up).

[HothouseSalsero]

No wait, it was Lloraras with "Lean Back" over it. Before that it was "Yay Boy" with 50 Cent over it. Not everything you can mash up is necessarily going to mesh well. Salsa DJs should know better.

[peachexploration]

I think we should create a song called "Smack the DJ!" :evil: :?

:lol: :lol:

[lucretia]

....Well ...know I have read the previous posts in this thread....
I have a song called Lloraras performed by EL Gran Combo on my hard disk :shock: . Is it a fake one :evil: :lol:
I remember the album was called something with millenium ....NUEVO MILENIO Í think it was called.

/lucI have that CD but there's no "Lloraras" on it. :)

Songs on that CD are:
1. El Amor Es Ciego
2. SE Nos Perdio El Amor
3. Me Libere
4. Viva Puente
5. Amigos
6. Dime Que Quieres
7. Me Muero Por Ella
8. Nadie Como Ella

Lucreta, can you post a clip sample for us? :)

Yes I guess I mixed the album title with the one where "El Amor Es Ciego" is found. One of my other favorites... But still...I have "Lloraras" on my hard drive. Or has it by some reason got wrong title?


/luc

[lucretia]

Here is another soundsample link> (www.last.fm/music/El+Gran+Combo) with Lloroas

/LUC

[peachexploration]

.... Or has it by some reason got wrong title?...
/lucYup, definitely Oscar D'Leon. :D

[lucretia]

OK, I will tell my source about that missunderstanding (he must have tagged the files with wrong data). But it sounds like a El Gran Combo - doesn't it! The trombones, thrumpets etc.

When I search the net I get several matches for Lloraras and El Grand Combo. Can every match be wrong?

/luc

[lucretia]

Here is a soundsample with the same recording I have at home
Sample> (www.mtv.com/shared/droplets/util/track_sample.asx?trackId=6328668) and it is Oscar. Definitely. They even spell it out :lol:

/luc

[borikenSalsero]

Here is another soundsample link> (www.last.fm/music/El+Gran+Combo) with Lloroas

/LUC

talk about huge mistakes...

[borikenSalsero]

OK, I will tell my source about that missunderstanding (he must have tagged the files with wrong data). But it sounds like a El Gran Combo - doesn't it! The trombones, thrumpets etc.

When I search the net I get several matches for Lloraras and El Grand Combo. Can every match be wrong?

/luc

I'm leaning towards yes, they are all wrong.

Oscar's band doesn't sound Puerto Rican. El gran combo has a more soothing and melodic style to their horns. I don't know enough about music to describe it well, but their horns as I hear them, are more fluid than the approach by Oscar.

[peachexploration]

I agree Boriken. EGC's horn section is very distinctive and that's how I identify them most of the time. Yes, this is Oscar all the way, I think too. :)

[HothouseSalsero]

The question is: is it Tego Calderon that's rapping?

The singer was definitely Oscar and I can't hear the band that clearly, but I don't see any reason to think it would be anything other than Oscar D'Leon's band.

Funny, I like El Gran Combo's horn sound, but there's something a little melancholy about it to my ears (despite which, their music makes me happy). I wouldn't describe it as soothing, but that may be a reflection of not growing up with it. But yes, their sound is very distinctive.

Remember: mistakes can travel quickly on the internet.

[peachexploration]

The question is: is it Tego Calderon that's rapping?.....Yeah, it's Vico C's "El Bueno, El Malo Y El Feo (The Good, The Bad & The Ugly)" mixed with it. Tego raps on that one.

[lucretia]

The question is: is it Tego Calderon that's rapping?

The singer was definitely Oscar and I can't hear the band that clearly, but I don't see any reason to think it would be anything other than Oscar D'Leon's band.

Funny, I like El Gran Combo's horn sound, but there's something a little melancholy about it to my ears (despite which, their music makes me happy). I wouldn't describe it as soothing, but that may be a reflection of not growing up with it. But yes, their sound is very distinctive.

Remember: mistakes can travel quickly on the internet.
The rumour tells me that this is a very good CD (now I mean the remix of Oscars's Lloraras ). I've been told that there are remixes of El Gran Combo as well as this one with Oscar (not the same source as last time ;) ) Have any one heard about this CD?

[borikenSalsero]

Funny, I like El Gran Combo's horn sound, but there's something a little melancholy about it to my ears (despite which, their music makes me happy).

That is a great observation, they do have a great number of songs that are truly melancholic. For example, Las Hojas Blancas: It's is about aging, and the process the body goes through. and how he must start to feel better about all the good that he's done, but also repent about those regretful things... Cubaniche Adentro, Lamento Jibaro, Telefono, are examples of that melancholic sound, while Goyito Sabater to me is a good example of that happy tone while being melancholic....

I'm not sure if I've asked you this before, but do you speak spanish? I think you really caught on to the feel of the music. El Gran Combo sings a lot about pain, loss... hence, the approach of their horns, which is melancholic...

[peachexploration]

All this EGC talk is fantastic! Getting excited as they will be here in Orlando on Sunday! :banana:

[lucretia]

All this EGC talk is fantastic! Getting excited as they will be here in Orlando on Sunday! :banana:
I wish I could be there!!!!
:cry:
/luc

[HothouseSalsero]

Funny, I like El Gran Combo's horn sound, but there's something a little melancholy about it to my ears (despite which, their music makes me happy).

That is a great observation, they do have a great number of songs that are truly melancholic. For example, Las Hojas Blancas: It's is about aging, and the process the body goes through. and how he must start to feel better about all the good that he's done, but also repent about those regretful things... Cubaniche Adentro, Lamento Jibaro, Telefono, are examples of that melancholic sound, while Goyito Sabater to me is a good example of that happy tone while being melancholic....

I'm not sure if I've asked you this before, but do you speak spanish? I think you really caught on to the feel of the music. El Gran Combo sings a lot about pain, loss... hence, the approach of their horns, which is melancholic...

Thanks borikenSalsero. I especially appreciate that coming from you. I'm not sure if I am really intuiting the meaning of the song somehow or if it's just that most salsa itself has always seemed bittersweet to me. I think when I was a teenager I found it depressing, and yet also somehow too happy. Now I find it. . . not depressing, but frequently melancholy or bittersweet, but with a joyful core. It certainly tends to make me happy to listen to it, but I still hear a happy/sad quality in much of it.

I think a good example of the El Gran Combo sound, and its sometimes bittersweet feel, is right at the beginning of "Que Me lo den en Vida." I'm not familiar with the songs you mention, by name, but I'll see if I have them. I love that song. (That's the one I dance to when it come on in a grocery store.)

Unfortunately, no, I don't speak Spanish. I recently at least took the step of buying a couple Spanish-English dictionaries, plus, more importantly, a book about Spanish verbs. I am trying to teach myself Spanish verb forms, but I'm not the most diligent student, especially when I am trying to teach myself something that requires lots of memorization.

[peachexploration]

I found it! :rocker: I found it! :rocker: It's in the mail! El Gran Combo-Salsa Classics Revisited
http://www.salsafrance.com/IMG/gif/doc-224.gif
It's been out of print for a while. Didn't think I would ever find it! I am soooo excited!!! :banana:

[Swannie]

I found it! :rocker: I found it! :rocker: It's in the mail! El Gran Combo-Salsa Classics Revisited
http://www.salsafrance.com/IMG/gif/doc-224.gif
It's been out of print for a while. Didn't think I would ever find it! I am soooo excited!!! :banana:

Nice, I must admit to have a mp3 copy of this album :oops:
It's soo goood, they need to reissue it!