Tag: Concha Buika

Live: Concha Buika Plays With Pronouns . . . and You

Concha Buika
Highline Ballroom
Sunday, June 24

Better than: Dreaming of her.

A 2009 performance by Concha Buika is on YouTube showing the Spanish singer in Lincoln Center’s Damroch Park backed by solo piano and performing a smoldering version of “Tu Volverás.” Even then, with minimal accompaniment, star quality oozes from every pore and note. It’s not just her flawless diction and phrasing; Buika’s intellectual command of her material makes each song she tackles hard to forget. You see the same showmanship when Aretha Franklin performs “Respect” in the original Blues Brothers movie: Acting out the words as she sings, ReRe’s personal authority makes you believe she wrote the tune on the spot. Continue reading “Live: Concha Buika Plays With Pronouns . . . and You”

More Than Words: Going Polyglot With Concha Buika and Les Nubians

In the ’60s and ’70s danceable jazz-pop in foreign languages made American radio more exciting: Jorge Ben’s “Mas Que Nada” charted when recorded by Sergio Mendes and Brasil ’66; it was followed by Miriam Makeba’s remake of “Pata Pata” in 1967, Tito Puente’s “Oye Como Va” when covered by Santana in 1970, and Manu Dibango’s irresistible “Soul Makossa” in 1972. Something about each single’s arrangements, rhythms, and vocals allowed these crossover miracles to seduce stateside listeners who only understand English. Continue reading “More Than Words: Going Polyglot With Concha Buika and Les Nubians”