Spain Culture News
El Último Trago: Concha Buika's haunting tribute to Chavela Vargas
By m.p. - Oct 20, 2009 - 2:38 PM
email this article
Público TV
Pianist Chucho Valdés accompanies the Mallorca singer on the album
The Mallorca singer, Concha Buika, has released a new album in tribute to the legendary Mexican singer, Chavela Vargas, recorded in La Habana this spring in homage to the ranchera artist for her 90th birthday.
Buika is accompanied on the piano by Chucho Valdés and recorded the 13 tracks on ‘El Último Trago’ in just 11 hours, including famous Vargas numbers such as the title track, ‘Luz de Luna’ and ‘Las Simples Cosas’. It’s a haunting tribute where the Mallorca singer interprets in her own way the pain which Chavela imparts through her singing.
The two women first met in Madrid four years ago, when Chavela Vargas refused to allow Buika to sing on stage with her. They later became firm friends however, to such an extent that Chavela came to refer to the Spanish singer, who was born to a family originally from Equatorial Guinea, as her ‘black daughter’.
Concha Buika is touring Spain later this month, when she will be performing tracks live from her tribute album at venues across the country. El País said Chucho Valdés is currently working on a new project and will not be accompanying her on the tour.