| Palmieri brothers |
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Selections for the month of August - www.salsainutah.com The Palmieri brothers, pianist Eddie (born in 1936), and Charlie (1927 - 1988), were the first in a generation of Spanish Harlem - New Yorkers to have followed each other through the history of Latin Music for nearly five decades. Eddie got his start with the orchestra's of Robertito Santiago, Wilito Sanabria, Vicentico Valdes, and Tito Rodriguez, while Charlie got his start with the orchestra's of Machito, Pupi Campo, Xavier Cugat, and Tito Puente, before embarking on solo careers. Their solo careers began with charanga's - Eddie conjunto, "La Perfecta", which lasted between 1961 - 1968, was one of the first bands of its kind to feature a trombone in the rhythm section; while Charlie, along with Johnny Pacheco, formed the melodic Charanga Duboney in 1959, which continued to stay together despite Johnny Pacheco's departure from the group in 1961.
Up until his untimely death in 1988, Charlie's career has been paralleled as a lecturer in Latin Music and Culture in various universities and colleges around the U.S., while being the musical director for the Alegre All-Stars, which featured a line-up of some of the who's who in the industry, like Kako, Jose "Chombo" Silva, and Vitin Aviles, just to name a few. "El Gigante del Toclado (The Giant of the Keyboard)" left us with memorable songs to listen and dance to all night long. Even though he's not as famous as his younger brother, Eddie, Charlie's contribution to this industry is phenomenal. In my opinion, he's one of the most underrated artist to ever touch a keyboard. Eddie is Salsa's and Latin Jazz's eccentric, maniac genius, who prefaces his songs with long mathematically calculated, impressionists solo's. His unique combination of salsa, Thelonious Monk - tinged jazz, atonal/classical conservatory composition and New York street funk can be either thrilling or jarring, depending upon your perspective. But boring, never. The late 1990's and early 2000's have introduced a new, young audience to Eddie's work more versed in jazz, than his 1960's fans and therefore perhaps more appreciation and understanding of his music. If any of you all ever have the opportunity to see Eddie live in concert, do it, it will be a time you'll never forget, and money well spent. I had the opportunity to see him live in concert in April, 2005, and let me tell you, I danced all night long 'til I couldn't dance no more. Without further adieu, here's the spotlight on two of the giants to ever touch a keyboard, Eddie and Charlie Palmieri. Enjoy and Vamonos Pa'l Monte. - Eddie Palmieri 1. "La Malanga (Se Acabo)" : (Tico, 1970) - Taken from the album titled "Super-Imposition", this track features the vocal of Ismael Quintana, who was Eddie's lead singer for 20 years. 2. "Azucar Pa' Ti": (Tico, 1965) - Taken from the album titled "Azucar Pa' Ti" 3. "Revolt/La Libertad Logico" : (Tico, 1976) - Taken from the album titled "Vamonos Pa'l Monte" 4. "Un Dia Bonito" : (Coco Records, 1973) - Taken from the album titled "The Sun of Latin Music", this track features the vocals of Lalo Rodriguez, who in the 1980's, was an integral part of the Salsa Romantica era with hits such as "Nada De Ti", and "Ven Devorearme Otra Vez". - Charlie Palmieri 1. "La Hija de Lola" : (Alegre, 1972) - Taken from the album titled "El Gigante Del Toclado", this track features the vocals of Vitin Aviles. 2. "Either You Have It Or You Don't/Hay Que Estar En Algo" : (Alegre, 1967) - Taken from the album titled "Either You Have It Or You Don't/Hay Que Estar En Algo". 3. "Bitter Sweet": (Atlantic, 1968) - Taken from the album titled "Latin Bugalu". 4. "Bemba En La Luna" : (Alegre, 1996) - Taken from the album titled "The Alegre All-Stars Vol. 2, El Manicero", this track was originally recorded in the late 1960's.
written by Corwin Jackson |
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