A delicious story and recipe to warm the heart and the bones of this sun lover, Mark. A mojito is my favourite cocktail. How serendipitous to find yourself sitting opposite the man himself the day after listening to that wonderful sound. I loved learning salsa to Cuban music back in the day.
In 1997, at the release of of their Ry Cooder produced album they were featured on Jools Holland, (still at the BBC at that time), where I worked as a make-up artist. It was out of this world hearing those voices, that gorgeous, languid hug of sound in the studio and what truly lovely people they all were. My favourite on the album has to be Chan Chan. It always makes me feel I'm cocooned in a hammock under baking heat with said cocktail. Thanks for sharing the recipe too.
And so we are connected by those great musicians! How incredible that must've been for you - I am envious, despite my good fortune. Thank you for sharing
Thank you. That was all lovely. I have a girls weekend in the next few weeks.I pressed a load of apple juice last week. I have apple mint still making an appearance. Autumn ginger apple mojito's incoming.... I'll raise a glass to you then blame you the next day.
It's such magical music, Cuban musicians make their instruments sound other worldly, like they are linked directly to their soul. I was lucky to catch them at the Albert Hall one night. The timbre of that trumpet! In my record collection, their albums sit beside Tito Puente in Puerto Rico, another wonderful record, not Cuban but similar vibe - and for some bizarre reason only seems to have two ratings on Discogs (wheres Buena Vista has over 5,000) so I think it needs more attention!: https://www.discogs.com/release/5554294-Tito-Puente-Tito-Puente-In-Puerto-Rico-Recorded-Live
Oh, you probably already know this, but I’ll tell you anyway. Many years ago in Spain, bartenders would place a thin slice of bread on top of a glass of wine, or beer, to keep flies out. Over time these became more elaborate, bits of ham, cheese or fish were added. In Spanish the word to cover is Tapa. If you already knew that……just humour me.
I remember well when these albums came out, what a phenomenon. Hadn’t listened to them in a long while so thank you for the reminder. The story of your encounter is extraordinary. (Also, my mother just sent me a picture of the explosive flowering pineapple sage in her garden today :))
On the strength of loving Buena Vista Social Club I took my other half to Cuba for his 40th. It was every bit as amazing as I wanted it to be, with so many random adventures. After a night in a tiny cellar bar we were led off by some new local friends down an alleyway, up a narrow staircase and into a tiny back room. There sat a grandmother with barely a tooth, whose eyes lit up at the sight of tourists; she flung open a cupboard and sold us what must have been the oldest (not in a good way) cigars in Cuba. We politely bought them, and they were every bit as dusty to smoke as they were to look at!
Your husband married very well! What a great adventure to have and sorry about the cigars - in my head a cigar is a transporting cloud of pleasure but not yet in reality
Sat here on a very dull November afternoon, and I put on my Buena Vista Social Club album and I'm transported back to Cuba. I spent a long Easter break there, over 20 years ago. Travelling around the island, there were mojitos every day. The very best was from a tobacco farmer, we had got lost and he rescued us and invited us to lunch with his family before driving us back to town. He wanted to practice his English, so it seemed a fair deal to us. He made mojitos but added the juice of grapefruit he picked from a tree in his garden, they were delicious - I've never been able to recreate the taste. Good times.
Oh my, what heaven that grapefruit mojito sounds. That trip is my idea of heaven, it really is. A Cuban lady once told me that including the citrus skins in the muddling process was as important as the juice, and for a classic mojtio I completely agree - maybe try that if you haven't, and see if you can get nearer to that tobacco farmers?!
We too were at that RFH gig and it was every bit as superb as you say. And of those amazing albums it’s the Gonzalez I find myself coming back to most often. This is the perfect reminder to listen to it again – true antidote music.
I'm so glad you were there Lev, firstly because as you say it was a magical night, but also because it was the punchline to a story that feels like a dream, that it couldn't really have happened, so thank you
What a marvellous story Mark. That mojito sounds wonderful, although I think I’ll wait till Friday as had a little too much this weekend. Hoping for some blue sky soon.
A delicious story and recipe to warm the heart and the bones of this sun lover, Mark. A mojito is my favourite cocktail. How serendipitous to find yourself sitting opposite the man himself the day after listening to that wonderful sound. I loved learning salsa to Cuban music back in the day.
In 1997, at the release of of their Ry Cooder produced album they were featured on Jools Holland, (still at the BBC at that time), where I worked as a make-up artist. It was out of this world hearing those voices, that gorgeous, languid hug of sound in the studio and what truly lovely people they all were. My favourite on the album has to be Chan Chan. It always makes me feel I'm cocooned in a hammock under baking heat with said cocktail. Thanks for sharing the recipe too.
And so we are connected by those great musicians! How incredible that must've been for you - I am envious, despite my good fortune. Thank you for sharing
You're welcome, Mark. I'm envious of your talent!
Thank you. That was all lovely. I have a girls weekend in the next few weeks.I pressed a load of apple juice last week. I have apple mint still making an appearance. Autumn ginger apple mojito's incoming.... I'll raise a glass to you then blame you the next day.
That'd perfect timing isn't it. Happy girls weekend and apologies for any headaches I may be part responsible for
Mojito! Buena Vista Social Club! Life is good! Thanks Mark! 👏👏
You are very welcome Baird!
It's such magical music, Cuban musicians make their instruments sound other worldly, like they are linked directly to their soul. I was lucky to catch them at the Albert Hall one night. The timbre of that trumpet! In my record collection, their albums sit beside Tito Puente in Puerto Rico, another wonderful record, not Cuban but similar vibe - and for some bizarre reason only seems to have two ratings on Discogs (wheres Buena Vista has over 5,000) so I think it needs more attention!: https://www.discogs.com/release/5554294-Tito-Puente-Tito-Puente-In-Puerto-Rico-Recorded-Live
Off for a listen, thank you Mark! I love this place for the dot-to-dots that happen
That’s an excellent story. Thanks for sharing.
Oh, you probably already know this, but I’ll tell you anyway. Many years ago in Spain, bartenders would place a thin slice of bread on top of a glass of wine, or beer, to keep flies out. Over time these became more elaborate, bits of ham, cheese or fish were added. In Spanish the word to cover is Tapa. If you already knew that……just humour me.
I didn't know that! And now I can sleep easy with my one piece of excellent information a day quota brilliant fulfilled, thank you
Very welcome. The term also crosses over to top or lid. Like pen top or lid. Have a good sleep.
I remember well when these albums came out, what a phenomenon. Hadn’t listened to them in a long while so thank you for the reminder. The story of your encounter is extraordinary. (Also, my mother just sent me a picture of the explosive flowering pineapple sage in her garden today :))
really a phenomenon! And I'm delighted to be sharing the joy of a flowering pineapple sage with your mum
I loved this. It is indeed 5 minutes of joy!
Thank you Deborah, we could all do with that in these shorter days
Much needed this morning.
On the strength of loving Buena Vista Social Club I took my other half to Cuba for his 40th. It was every bit as amazing as I wanted it to be, with so many random adventures. After a night in a tiny cellar bar we were led off by some new local friends down an alleyway, up a narrow staircase and into a tiny back room. There sat a grandmother with barely a tooth, whose eyes lit up at the sight of tourists; she flung open a cupboard and sold us what must have been the oldest (not in a good way) cigars in Cuba. We politely bought them, and they were every bit as dusty to smoke as they were to look at!
Your husband married very well! What a great adventure to have and sorry about the cigars - in my head a cigar is a transporting cloud of pleasure but not yet in reality
A story to put a smile on my face on a gloomy grey morning. How wonderful to have that encounter.
If it's possible to wear down a cd, that's what I did to my Afro Cuban all stars and Omara Portuondo albums.
Thank you for reminding me of salsa dancing through Cuba and seeing those great musicians play live. Their music and energy lives on.
They live on indeed - and thank you
I’ve just re-read this post and love everything about it, Mark. Thank you.
I am delighted it warranted a re-read! Thank YOU
What a great story, Mark! And another great post 👏👏
Have to confess I’m actually praying for the frost to arrive - hopefully have some crunching underfoot soon!
Some crunch and a clear sky would be the best wouldn't it! Thank you too
What a blimmin brilliant story!
I'm delighted you like it!
Sat here on a very dull November afternoon, and I put on my Buena Vista Social Club album and I'm transported back to Cuba. I spent a long Easter break there, over 20 years ago. Travelling around the island, there were mojitos every day. The very best was from a tobacco farmer, we had got lost and he rescued us and invited us to lunch with his family before driving us back to town. He wanted to practice his English, so it seemed a fair deal to us. He made mojitos but added the juice of grapefruit he picked from a tree in his garden, they were delicious - I've never been able to recreate the taste. Good times.
Oh my, what heaven that grapefruit mojito sounds. That trip is my idea of heaven, it really is. A Cuban lady once told me that including the citrus skins in the muddling process was as important as the juice, and for a classic mojtio I completely agree - maybe try that if you haven't, and see if you can get nearer to that tobacco farmers?!
I wonder which came first: the desire to share your love of that music, or the wickedly wonderful-looking mojito recipe?!
Hmmmm...I wish I knew
We too were at that RFH gig and it was every bit as superb as you say. And of those amazing albums it’s the Gonzalez I find myself coming back to most often. This is the perfect reminder to listen to it again – true antidote music.
I'm so glad you were there Lev, firstly because as you say it was a magical night, but also because it was the punchline to a story that feels like a dream, that it couldn't really have happened, so thank you
What a marvellous story Mark. That mojito sounds wonderful, although I think I’ll wait till Friday as had a little too much this weekend. Hoping for some blue sky soon.
I hope any Monday feeling is counterbalanced by the excellentness of the weekend JP!