This weblog is no longer being maintained. All information here has been ported to EclecticEchoes.com. This site (heupel.com/eclectic) remains only for archival purposes.
It seems someone in the US has decided that the wonderful music of the Buena Vista Social Club and the talents they have sponsored are “detrimental to the interest of the United States.” A number of Cuban artists including Ibrahim Ferrer have been denied visas to attend the Grammy Awards, despite the fact that they are up for a couple of awards at the show. Truly embarrassing.
Today I think it’s time to listen to nothing but the Cuban Jazz and Latino styling of Ibrahim Ferrer the Buena Vista Social Club and Chucho Valdes (who was granted a visa). Maybe even buy another of their albums (whether or not they are on a RIAA label—that ought to tell you how much I enjoy their music and despise this type of political crap.)