Ten years later, that evenings historic performance is released by World Circuit /Nonesuch Records meticulously mixed and mastered by Cooder and World Circuit label head Nick Gold (who executive produced the 1997 album). It features performances by the original Buena Vista Social Club musicians including Ibrahim Ferrer, Compay Segundo, Ruben González, Eliades Ochoa, Omara Portuondo, Cachaíto López, and Guajiro Mirabal. Though all of these musicians subsequently went on to resurrect great solo careers, the intervening years have brought the loss of Ferrer, Segundo and González. Buena Vista Social Club at Carnegie Hall is only the second release for the original members, whose legendary studio album became a phenomenon throughout the world.
The concert was more than a musical occasion. Musicians from Cuba in their 70s, 80s and 90s, some emerging from retirement, were making their United States debuts at no less than Carnegie Hall. With the bittersweet delicacy of a classic bolero, the Buena Vista Social Club simultaneously celebrated the vitality and virtuosity of its musicians and mourned the era they embody. - The New York Times
Musicians:
Octavio Calderón - trumpet
Joachim Cooder - drums, percussion
Ry Cooder - guitars
Angel Terry Domech - congas
Ibrahim Ferrer - vocals
Roberto García - bongos, cowbell, güiro
Hugo Garzón - vocals
Juan de Marcos González - bandleader, coro, güiro,
Rubén González -piano
Pío Leyva - vocals
Manuel Puntillita Licea - vocals
Orlando Cachaíto López - bass
Manuel Guajiro Mirabal - trumpet
Eliades Ochoa, guitar - vocals
Omara Portuondo - vocals
Jesús Aguaje Ramos - bandleader for Rubén González, trombone
Salvador Repilado - bass
Compay Segundo - guitar, vocals
Benito Suárez Magana - guitar
Barbarito Torres - laoud
Alberto Virgilio Valdés - maracas, coro
Amadito Valdés - timbales
