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Posted: **Mon Dec 24, 2007 8:21 pm**

was Miguel Anga Diaz a better player then Giovanni, or is Giovanni better ?

Posted: **Mon Dec 24, 2007 8:38 pm**

THIS TOPIC IS MEANINGLESS AT BEST, TO BE HONEST.

(TWO MASTERS WITH DIFFERENT STYLES, AND PATHS).
IT'S ALL ABOUT PREFERENCE. THEY WOULD BOTH HAVE HAD TO BE TESTED, ON CERTAIN CAPABILITIES. OTHER THAN THAT, IT'S WHO ONE LIKES MORE. BUT FOR ARGUMENT SAKE I WOULD GIVE THE EDGE TO GIOVANNI FOR NATURAL TECHNICAL ABILITY, BUT WOULD ALSO GIVE THE EDGE TO "ANGA" FOR HIS ABILITY TO PUT IT ALL TOGETHER JUST RIGHT. THEIR NAMES REPRESENT THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF PLAY. :;):

MERRY CHRISTMAS, AND HAPPY NEW YEARS, TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

CHARLIE "EL COQUI VERDEJO"

Edited By yambu321 on 1198529832

Posted: **Mon Dec 24, 2007 9:49 pm**

Yes u r right Mr. Charlie . I too think it is a matter of perference . Giovanni and Miguel Diaz were very similar and many aspects, two great technicians bringing the conga at a level. Unimaginable even from a generation ago. What I love both about them that you can put them in any musical situation and they will find a way to fit in with the conga. Great ears, intuition, flexibility and the awareness’ to listen to who is playing around them put them in another planet.. As a right handed player Anga concepts and explanation was a little easier for me to follow. He had such a great way of putting all his parts together as a whole. For an example, he said in his video that every long solo has a beginning, a middle and an end. He go’s on to break each part down as a separate unit and ties each part together as a whole like a jazz musician . Another thing I like about his video that the cameras are facing down on him from above. At this angle you can see what he is doing in slow motion..

Posted: **Mon Dec 24, 2007 11:35 pm**

MUNDO,
I AGREE WITH YOU. INFACT "ABAKUA" HAS POSTED
SOME RARE VIDEO FOOTAGE OF "ANGA" SOLOING AT WHAT MAYBE HIS PLACE. IT IS AWESOME, AND EVEN NASTIER THAN THE INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO. SEE IF YOU CAN FIND IT. HE POSTED MAYBE THREE TOGETHER, OR BETTER STILL, TYPE HIS NAME ON THE SEARCH ENGINE IN YOUTUBE.

OK, MY MAN,
LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK.

CHIAO,
CHARLE " EL COQUI" VERDEJO

Edited By yambu321 on 1198570955

Posted: **Wed Jan 02, 2008 6:54 pm**

I would say the BEST player in the world IS NOT EVEN KNOWN, and it ain't me..hahahahaha.....I have seen players in my day and today that are as eqal to Anga and Gio as anybody else, so this topic is really a moot point...Johnny Conga...IMHO

Posted: **Wed Jan 02, 2008 8:43 pm**

I totally agree with JC.

Just as in other art forms, such as playing other musical instruments and singing, the best in the world is often unknown and/or undiscovered. For one, they may not care about fame and/or fortune at all.

And I'm skeptical if there's really a best artist. I strongly believe that there are more than just 1 best artist.

So, I guess this thread should have been captioned: "Who is better: Giovanni or Anga?"

Blessed and Joyous New Year to all,

Edited By umannyt on 1199308769

Posted: **Wed Jan 02, 2008 9:01 pm**

At the level those guys play/played at it's a meaningless question and (I think) becomes only a matter of personal opinion or taste. It's a bit like asking who is a better artist - Picasso or Da Vinci - they both were innovators and opened up incredible new vistas in their field.

In my travels I have met 'unknowns' in Africa and Cuba who in my opinion were equally as skilled and displayed a masters depth of knowledge of their own traditions just as Anga and Gio.

Happy New Year!
pavlo

Posted: **Wed Jan 02, 2008 10:13 pm**

I like Anga's music better, especially his later stuff.

Posted: **Wed Jan 02, 2008 11:56 pm**

I found Anga to be more "musical" than Gio in a band setting.
I found Gio to be more impressive when playing solo.

Posted: **Thu Jan 03, 2008 12:04 am**

I think both had and have their own identity in their technique, what I would like to know is who was more knowledgeable of the many world rhythms and who could contribute the most in a recording section . Or simply from whom could I get the most for my money in the studio or stage?

Happy New Year

Olsongo

Posted: **Thu Jan 03, 2008 1:32 am**

I think Keith Richards said something along the lines of..."the greatest rock band in the world is playing in someones garage right now, tomorrow it will be at someone elses.". Same as what JC said. Lots of undiscovered players with insane chops. Personally, I liked Anga's phrasing on the drums. With Gio, his speed is sick. Then I watch someone like 'La Mole ' and can't believe he's not more "popular".

Posted: **Thu Jan 03, 2008 1:33 am**

OLSONGO wrote:what I would like to know is who was more knowledgeable of the many world rhythms and who could contribute the most in a recording section . Or simply from whom could I get the most for my money in the studio or stage?

Happy New Year

Olsongo

There's probably some kinds of musical situations Anga would have been better suited to and the same for Gio (what they would be – I don't know).

So to answer it, it would depend on what you were recording and what your personal preference was.

As far as who could contribute the most in a recording session:
With either of those guys I believe you could be guaranteed of getting a unique and creative approach to whatever music you presented to them.

At that level it's so much about the creative vision and interpretation that each would bring to the piece of music you present to them.

You could have an identical piece of music that you want them to play on. Each would come up with something unique and I believe of the highest calibre. Which is better? That's a matter of taste.

my 2c
pavlo

Posted: **Thu Jan 03, 2008 3:44 am**

Pavlo,
Being creative is one thing... but putting in what really fits is another thing.
Playing what fits is based on knowing the rhythm and how it relates with the other instruments . Also the most important thing is how it swings. I don't care how much of a monster you are, if you haven't lived it , it may take sometime to make it swing right.
Paz,
Olsongo

Posted: **Thu Jan 03, 2008 7:09 am**

OLSONGO wrote:Being creative is one thing... but putting in what really fits is another thing.
Playing what fits is based on knowing the rhythm and how it relates with the other instruments . Also the most important thing is how it swings. I don't care how much of a monster you are, if you haven't lived it , it may take sometime to make it swing right.
Paz,
Olsongo

Hi olsongo,
Who's to say what really fits?

Let's face it, either of those guys could make a rhythm swing and play what really fits with the music, whether it's jazz, salsa, timba, or many other genres. On top of that they can both play incredible solos with beautiful 'feel'.

They both have/had immense knowledge and feel for music each with an individual approach.

Who can say who's better from these two amazing players? I don't think such a question can really be answered except for one's personal preferences or taste.

Rather than me talk until the cows come home, I think I'll let their playing do the speaking:
First Anga with Tata Guines (his solo at 1:20):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Co-EX5aJYvk

and Giovanni with Tito Puente (solo at around 0:40):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRGwYpnd99Q

Mind blowing stuff. Both of their solos give me goose bumps all over!

Anga R.I.P.!

peace
pavlo

Edited By pavloconga on 1199345593

Posted: **Thu Jan 03, 2008 8:19 am**

JC is probably right, there's a rumbero out there that might have better chops than Anga, and there's a salsa conguero that might be better too..

but Anga could do it all, with style

from Irakere to
Afro Cuba All Stars
Roy Hargrove
Omar Sosa
Orishas
then finally to his own ground breaking style on Echua Minga.

That's why these guys are great and famous, they can do it ALL!

congaplace.com

who is the best giovanni or Anga? - who is the best Giovanni or Anga Diaz ?