Magic of Omara
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COULD the ORQUESTO BUENA VISTA top the last appearance at Eden Court of some of the most talented elders of Ry Cooder’s original comeback kids?
Though there was no denying the irresistible rhythms of the stageful of musicians as they warmed up Wednesday’s crowd, there was a lack of sparkle.
Until, that is, 80-year-old special guest Omara Portuondo shimmied onstage.
If you want a definition of star, just check out the energy the singer brought to the theatre. The knowing looks, the bending down to take the corners of her skirt and offer a saucy inch or two of ankle to tease us, it’s no wonder "sexy" was one of the non-Spanish words from her introduction by band leader and trombonist Jesus "Aguaje" Ramos that needed no translation.
A mesmerising presence onstage, Omara’s slow vibrato and powerful volume added the sound that had been a missing edge to the show from what is still an A-team of Cuban music.
In familiar standards such as Buena Vista favourite Silencio or another song sung by late Buena Vista star Ibrahim Ferrer, Dos Gardenias, Omara’s performance was effortlessly stunning.
Though she walked slowly and carefully, her energy charged up the rest of the band and later trumpet legend Guajiro Mirabel skipped in a youthful sideways crab bounce across the stage.
It took a while, but with her arms reaching out to encourage the crowd to clap along or – eventually – get to its feet to sway to the music – Omara’s magic was infectious.
Chan Chan was a late highlight of the set where the odd translation – or even a programme to give details of the band and some clues about the music to non-Spanish speakers – might have been helpful.
But the international language of a true superstar came across loud and clear for every second that Omara graced the stage.
