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The original idea behindBuena Vistawas to record a collaboration between a number of African and Cuban guitarists. World Circuits Nick Gold invitedRy Cooderto participate, having worked together before on Ali Farka Tours 1994 Grammy AwardwinningTalking Timbuktu. Cooder replied within hours saying he would be there. The Africans failed to make the trip, but recording went ahead anyway.

Buena Vista Social Clubis both the name given to this extraordinary pool of musicians and the album, recorded in just six days in Havanas 1950s vintage Egrem studios. The album has an intimate, natural charm that comes from musicians totally at ease with other, sharing a deep passion and understanding for the music and playing a repertoire suggested by themselves. Arrangements and instrumentation were worked out during recording according to the feel of the individual songs, and the vast majority of the performances were recorded "live" in one or two takes.
The oldest musician on the album is the 89-year-old giant of Cuban music, guitarist and vocalistCompay Segundo. According to Cooder, the whole album turned on Compay. He was the fulcrum, the pivot. He knew all the best songs and the way to do them. Well, hes been doing them since World War One. Featured on vocals is 70-year-oldIbrahim Ferrer, a star from the 1950s who was literally called in off the streets on the first day of recording after years of musical inactivity.LP1

1. Chan Chan
2. De Camino A La Vereda
3. El Cuarto De Tula
4. Pueblo Nuevo
5. Dos Gardenias
6. Y Tu Qu Has Hecho?
7. Veinte Aos

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1. El Carretero
2. Candela
3. Amor De Loca Juventud
4. Orgullecida
5. Murmullo
6. Buena Vista Social Club
7. La Bayamesa