Callen Radcliffe Tjader, Jr. died
on May 5, 1982.
on May 5, 1982.
He was better known as Cal Tjader.
It's true, I'm over a month late posting this tribute to him, it took me a while to get it together, but here it is.
Cal Tjader was an American Latin jazz musician, known as the most successful non-Latino Latin musician. He also explored various other jazz idioms but never abandoned the music of Cuba, the Caribbean, and Latin America, performing it until his death.
Huracán
This is a pretty special album in so many ways. First, it is a 12", 45 RPM record with only four songs on it. Second, it is a direct-to-disc album. Third, it is on White Vinyl.
Cal Tjader ~ Huracán
White Vinyl 45" RPM, side 1
photo by Styrous®
Of course, the music is something special.
Cal Tjader ~ Huracá
White Vinyl 45" RPM
cover painting by Peter Balin
album design by David Singer
photo by Styrous®
White Vinyl 45" RPM
cover painting by Peter Balin
album design by David Singer
photo by Styrous®
As with every album I have ever owned, there is always one track that is my very favorite. Tres Palabras is the one that makes it on this one. The song was written by Osvaldo Farrés, a Cuban Song writer. Farrés was born in 1903 in the small city of Quemado de Güines, Las Villas, Cuba. He was unable to read or write music but he became a prolific and world-renowned composer. He died in West New York, New Jersey, in 1985.
Cal Tjader ~ Huracán
White Vinyl 45" RPM
back cover
back painting by Peter Balin
album design by David Singer
photo by Styrous®
White Vinyl 45" RPM
back cover
back painting by Peter Balin
album design by David Singer
photo by Styrous®
Tres Palabras
has to be one of the most romantic and sappy songs ever, EVER written.
It is spectacular! Everyone imaginable has played or sung it. There are
lyrics to the song by Luis Miguel but on this album Tjader and his group
do an instrumental interpretation of it that is out of this world. His vibraphone performance on it is sublime and the sax by Gary Foster is short but sweet (links to versions on YouTube below).
Other songs by Farrés include, Quizás, Quizás, Quizás, Acercate Mas, Toda Una Vida and his favorite, Madrecita, written in honor of his mother and sung to this day in Latin
America on Mother's Day.
The
album was issued on Crystal Clear Records, which the album says was
made in San Francisco but I could find no info on the company. All I
have to go on is the catalogue that came with the album.
Crystal Clear Records mailing envelope back
photo by Styrous®
photo by Styrous®
The inner sleeve for the record is a bit yellowed with age.
Cal Tjader ~ Huracán
White Vinyl 45" RPM, side 2
photo by Styrous®
Cal Tjader ~ Huracán
White Vinyl 45" RPM
side 1 label detail
detail photo by Styrous®
Cal Tjader ~ Huracán
White Vinyl 45" RPM
side 2 label detail
detail photo by Styrous®
Tracklist:
Side 1:
A1 Funquiado - written by Clare Fischer
A2 Tres Palabras
Sice 2:
B1 Ritmo Caliente
B2 Huracán - written by Clare Fischer
Credits:
- Bass – Rob Fisher (2)
- Bongos, Cowbell – Victor Pantoja
- Congas – Pancho Sanchez*
- Electric Piano – Clare Fischer
- Guitar – Rick Zunigar
- Saxophone [Alto], Flute – Gary Foster
- Saxophone [Baritone] – Kurt McGettrick
- Timbales – Willie Bobo
- Trombone – Frank Rosolino
- Trumpet – Alex Rodriguez, Ronald King*
- Vibraphone – Cal Tjader
Notes:
A Supercut Direct Disc Plus Recording
Cal Tjader
–
Huracán
Label: Crystal Clear Records – CCS 8003
Format: Vinyl, 12", 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1978
Style: Afro-Cuban, Samba, Latin Jazz
Tres Palabras on YouTube:
Cal Tjader
Luis Miguel
Mina
Nat "King" Cole
Styrous® ~ May 5, 2015
~
Tres Palabras on YouTube:
Cal Tjader
Luis Miguel
Mina
Nat "King" Cole
Styrous® ~ May 5, 2015
~
~
