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Simply because one can never have too much Celia Cruz...
We had a stupendous time at the Cadogan Hall last night for the centenary Celebration of Celia Cruz, courtesy of a very talented ensemble indeed, Orchestra Mambo International!
Not only are they superb instrumentalists - trombone, baritone sax, trumpets, bongos, drums, güiro, maracas, guitar, piano and vibraphone, the key components of salsa music, all played to perfection - but they had on the bill a trio of utterly wonderful singers: Yuri Moreno, Juanita Euka, and - probably best of all, mainly because he held everything together so well from beginning to end - the band's lead singer Carlos “Pachanga” Peña.
It was the ladies, however, upon whom the spotlight shone, as they took it in turns to perform as "Celia" on a whole raft of songs from her back catalogue...
... and here's a fine example:
We have been to the Cadogan Hall (a crown amongst the riches of Chelsea) many times before, and this is the very first time we have seen the entire audience - of all ages, creeds, colours and class - take to their feet and dance like there was no tomorrow! On a Tuesday night, no less!
¡Azucar!
Celia would have been proud.
["Ay, no hay que llorar, que la vida es un carnaval - ¡es más bello vivir cantando!" = "Ay, there's no need to cry, because life is a carnival - it's more beautiful to live singing!" in English.]
