Description
Chico & Rita 2010
Chico is a young piano player with big dreams. Rita is a beautiful singer with an extraordinary voice. Music and romantic desire unites them, but their journey – in the tradition of the Latin ballad, the bolero – brings heartache and torment.
The animation by co-directors Fernando Trueba, Javier Mariscal and Tono Errando is filled with motion and color, yes, but could have benefitted from characters who seemed more like quirky individuals and less like types. Oddly, the backgrounds were the parts of “Chico & Rita” I liked the most: Havana in its pre-Fidel days of big spenders, New York in the heyday of jazz, Paris when foreign musicians were hot, Vegas in its early golden years. Architecture, neon signs and big classic American cars are all done with brio and abandon.
The film has an original soundtrack by Cuban pianist, bandleader and composer Bebo Valdés. It features music by Thelonious Monk, Cole Porter, Dizzy Gillespie and Freddy Cole. According to Tono Errando, “it was the moment when new musicians came along like Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie with a new kind of music, that is not for dancing, full of notes, played really fast, a music that now we call jazz. Then the Cuban musicians arrived. Dizzy Gillespie has said many times in interviews, there was a moment for him that was very important, it was the moment he first played with Chano Pozo. Pozo was the first percussionist that played in a jazz band.” Cuban pianist, bandleader, composer and arranger of the film Bebo Valdés was living in obscurity in Stockholm, when Trueba reintroduced his playing to an international audience with his film Calle 54, and went on to produce the Grammy-winning Lagrimas Negras album, teaming Valdes with flamenco singer Diego ‘el Cigala‘. Trueba was also able to persuade the real-life flamenco star Estrella Morente, who has been performing since the age of seven, to participate in the film. Musicians featured in the film include Chucho Valdés, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Chano Pozo, Tito Puente, Ben Webster, and Thelonious Monk.
1. Cachao Creador del MamboBebo Valdés0:45
2. Blues for André – Bebo’s BluesBebo Valdés4:30
3. Bésame muchoIdania Valdés & Bebo Valdés2:05
4. Con Poco CocoChico & Rita Madrid Band2:40
5. Ebony Concerto – Allegro ModeratoChico & Rita New York Band1:16
6.PersecuciónChico & Rita New York Band1:31
7. CeliaIdania Valdés & Rolando Luna2:24
8. Paran Pan PanGeorgie & Dora Aguirre, Y.Blanco y Y.García3:00
9. Sabor a MíChico & Rita Madrid Band1:16
10. Ay qué mala é – Rumba de Chico y RitaRicardo Santacruz, Ángel P. Corrales, Y.Alapón Terry & Raúl A. Moreno1:48
11. Sabor a MíÁlvaro Carrillo3:26
12. A Mayra – Desamor & codaBebo Valdés1:49
13. A Mayra – DescargaBebo Valdés2:04
14. A Mayra – Sad WalkBebo Valdés0:30
15. Chico’s Dream – Medley: On the Town / Fascinating Rythm / El Manisero / As Times Goes By1:23
16. EcuaciónBebo Valdés3:27
17. Tin Tin DeoChica & Rita Cuba Band3:16
18. Chano PozoPedrito Martínez0:55
19. Nocturno en BatangaBebo Valdés2:44
20. Nocturno en BatangaBebo Valdés0:29
21. Love for SaleIdania Valdés & Chico & Rita New York Band1:44
22. Love for Sale (Reprise)Idania Valdés & Chico & Rita New York Band0:41
23. LilyFreddy Cole & Estrella Morente1:42
24. StardustChico & Rita New York Band1:18
25. Lily – A MayraFreddy Cole & Estrella Morente2:42
26. A Mayra Vanguard StringsIdania Valdés & Chico & Rita New York Band0:30
27. Mambo HerdChico & Rita Cuba Band1:44
28. DeportaciónBebo Valdés1:30
29. LilyFreddy Cole & Estrella Morente5:4930.La Bella CubanaBebo Valdés4:08 63:06
Video: Chico & Rita 2010 (Trailer)
