LOS VAN VAN rock Sydney. My pics - 3 days with Los Van Van
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by CongaTick » Sun Sep 03, 2006 11:48 am
Thanks for the additional postings. VV came to Philly years ago and played a riverside night club (Katmandu?) one night. I was fortunate to be there when they packed the house. The best dancers in the city took over the floor and with the band gave us an awesome gift for eyes and ears.
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by pez » Mon Sep 04, 2006 9:11 am
hi abakua, thanks for the posts. its nice to get a glimpse of the high life.
i was wondering if you could tell me more about manolo? who did he study with in his formative years ? what kind of congas does he normally play (because you mentioned he used your drums) ?
what kind of style/philosophy does he have for congas (based on what you saw) ?
how hard does he hit ? does he have a preference for certain patterns, right hand vs left, anything you sensed and observed would be great. Normally, when I see a big band, I would love to ask the conguero these questions, but I have never had the chance.
thanks!
Edited By pez on 1157361163
i was wondering if you could tell me more about manolo? who did he study with in his formative years ? what kind of congas does he normally play (because you mentioned he used your drums) ?
what kind of style/philosophy does he have for congas (based on what you saw) ?
how hard does he hit ? does he have a preference for certain patterns, right hand vs left, anything you sensed and observed would be great. Normally, when I see a big band, I would love to ask the conguero these questions, but I have never had the chance.
thanks!
Edited By pez on 1157361163
- pez
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by ABAKUA » Mon Sep 04, 2006 11:33 am
Hello pez, Im glad you liked the pics!
CongaTick, you didnt happen to get any photos on the night did you?
Pez, I will do my best to answer your questions...
Manuel "Manolo" Labarrera has been the man behind the congas for Los Van Van for over 30 years.
If you not aware, through Changuito's (Jose Luis Quintana) supervision and creation, developed and created Songo.
Style, he plays solid and straight songo. (Songo has many forms and patterns, not just one or two variants)
He does not start chopping out and playing licks, he sits in the groove solidly and aggresively and drives the tumbadoras. All bloques/percussion arrangements are nailed with perfect precision between him and Samuel (drums/timbales, co-director)
In all our time together and our discussions, I never asked him who he studied with. He is an old timer, and has been around a fair while, 30 years with Van Van!
His philosophy is one which suits the band he plays in, play in time, solidly and aggresively drive that songo groove. No need for fancy chops and lightning fast licks, this man is all groove, endurance and sabor/afinque.
Due to his age, his technique/apparent strength may not visibly be the same as what it once was, while watching him you may think he is not hitting hard or correctly, close your eyes and listen or even get close and watch and you will see/hear perfect execution of all sounds and songo patterns. The man has not lost anything! He does not hit as hard as he once used to, there is no need, his sound definition is as clear as ever and he holds his sound, solidness, strength and endurance right through a 3 hour non stop killer performance with Van Van.
During our time together we discussed songo's development, went through the motions and compared our technique on the drum and had our laughs etc. A true gentleman he is. Extrememly humble and friendly.
Through the US, both Manolo and Samuel obtained LP endorsements and Manolo prefers LP congas.
In Cuba, he has drums which were crafted for him by a drum maker, he uses a 12" conga and 14" tumba, so he loved my Palladiums.
Hope I was able to help you out with those questions!
Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... CN3675.JPG
CongaTick, you didnt happen to get any photos on the night did you?
Pez, I will do my best to answer your questions...
Manuel "Manolo" Labarrera has been the man behind the congas for Los Van Van for over 30 years.
If you not aware, through Changuito's (Jose Luis Quintana) supervision and creation, developed and created Songo.
Style, he plays solid and straight songo. (Songo has many forms and patterns, not just one or two variants)
He does not start chopping out and playing licks, he sits in the groove solidly and aggresively and drives the tumbadoras. All bloques/percussion arrangements are nailed with perfect precision between him and Samuel (drums/timbales, co-director)
In all our time together and our discussions, I never asked him who he studied with. He is an old timer, and has been around a fair while, 30 years with Van Van!
His philosophy is one which suits the band he plays in, play in time, solidly and aggresively drive that songo groove. No need for fancy chops and lightning fast licks, this man is all groove, endurance and sabor/afinque.
Due to his age, his technique/apparent strength may not visibly be the same as what it once was, while watching him you may think he is not hitting hard or correctly, close your eyes and listen or even get close and watch and you will see/hear perfect execution of all sounds and songo patterns. The man has not lost anything! He does not hit as hard as he once used to, there is no need, his sound definition is as clear as ever and he holds his sound, solidness, strength and endurance right through a 3 hour non stop killer performance with Van Van.
During our time together we discussed songo's development, went through the motions and compared our technique on the drum and had our laughs etc. A true gentleman he is. Extrememly humble and friendly.
Through the US, both Manolo and Samuel obtained LP endorsements and Manolo prefers LP congas.
In Cuba, he has drums which were crafted for him by a drum maker, he uses a 12" conga and 14" tumba, so he loved my Palladiums.
Hope I was able to help you out with those questions!
Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... CN3675.JPG
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ABAKUA - Site Admin
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by pez » Mon Sep 04, 2006 9:49 pm
hi abakua,
a heartfelt thanks for your reply. congueros like manolo are very important as role models for a beginner like me, because most drummers i see are just bad technique, bling bling and flash. they just want to look important, and that's it. there's no respect or love for the instrument.
also, manolo doesn't seem to be flash, but just solid technique and a grounded head which is what has made him last for 30 years in a band like van van (pls correct me if i'm wrong). so this is a huge lesson for me. its all the inspiration i need at this stage.
you are lucky to have met him, and spoken to him, and lent him your drums. i would be honoured to just shake his hand.
Edited By pez on 1157406679
a heartfelt thanks for your reply. congueros like manolo are very important as role models for a beginner like me, because most drummers i see are just bad technique, bling bling and flash. they just want to look important, and that's it. there's no respect or love for the instrument.
also, manolo doesn't seem to be flash, but just solid technique and a grounded head which is what has made him last for 30 years in a band like van van (pls correct me if i'm wrong). so this is a huge lesson for me. its all the inspiration i need at this stage.
you are lucky to have met him, and spoken to him, and lent him your drums. i would be honoured to just shake his hand.
Edited By pez on 1157406679
- pez
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by ABAKUA » Tue Sep 05, 2006 2:12 am
It was an honour Pez! I thanked him for his work, as I did to Juan Formell, for many many years together with my main timbalero we studied the work and movements of Changuito, Manolo and the music of Juan Formell y Los Van Van.
Lending him my drums and hanging out was an extra bonus!
Lending him my drums and hanging out was an extra bonus!
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ABAKUA - Site Admin
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- Location: Earth
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