Rok, you know, while I tend to, for personal reasons, resist feeling pessimistic about the future of Cuban music and Cuba in general, I think you are correct. Now, I have no doubt that Cuba will continue to produce fantastic artists including some who will break new and important musical ground and some who will staunchly defend the Cuban music tradition; but the influence of the "air-heads" will be deep and is inevitable.
The "buying of the place with beads" has already been going on for several years by (again) the Europeans and once American commercialism is in full force the change will be huge. It will take time; probably more time than we might imagine, but it will happen. And you know how I know you are correct; aside from common sense and a little bit of knowledge about history? The cigar.
I don't mean to be trite or cute about it. Andy Garcia should be commended for promoting the music of his native country, but he is a product of Hollywood and is so immersed in the Hollywood culture that he doesn't even realize how lame it is to have to use a cigar as a prominent prop during his cameos in the (otherwise good) clip which includes an interview with Cachao, an icon in the music. In typical Hollywood fashion he needs the stereotypical prop as a way to proclaim his Cubanness; please! And sitting in with the band to play congas when it's obvious he can't play......what can one say.
Nice clips O-10, and timely. Thanks.
The "buying of the place with beads" has already been going on for several years by (again) the Europeans and once American commercialism is in full force the change will be huge. It will take time; probably more time than we might imagine, but it will happen. And you know how I know you are correct; aside from common sense and a little bit of knowledge about history? The cigar.
I don't mean to be trite or cute about it. Andy Garcia should be commended for promoting the music of his native country, but he is a product of Hollywood and is so immersed in the Hollywood culture that he doesn't even realize how lame it is to have to use a cigar as a prominent prop during his cameos in the (otherwise good) clip which includes an interview with Cachao, an icon in the music. In typical Hollywood fashion he needs the stereotypical prop as a way to proclaim his Cubanness; please! And sitting in with the band to play congas when it's obvious he can't play......what can one say.
Nice clips O-10, and timely. Thanks.