The Good, the Bad, the Ugly is the ninth studio album by
Willie Colón with backing from
Yomo Toro on cuatro and vocal contributions from his regular singer
Héctor Lavoe and Lavoe's replacement
Rubén Blades. The album featured three cover art portraits by Ron Levine of
Yomo Toro ("the Good"), Colón ("the Bad") and Lavoe ("the Ugly") but not Blades, punning the film The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.[1] Lavoe recorded his tracks on return from
Kinshasha in Zaire. It was to be Lavoe's last collaboration for a period after a successful series with Colón as he issued his first solo album
La Voz. For Blades it was his second album after 1970's De Panama a New York, also for Fania, and marked the start of a collaboration with Colón which would continue for several albums.[2]
Track listing
Toma (public domain) vocals Willie Colón 2:17
Potpourri III (public domain) vocals Héctor Lavoe 3:20
MC2 - Theme for
Realidades (Willie Colón) instrumental 3:43
El Cazangero (Rubén Blades) vocals Rubén Blades 4:01
Guaracha (Willie Colón) Willie Colón 5:05
I Feel Campesino - Theme Realidades (Willie Colón) instrumental 3:29
Que Bien Te Ves (Willie Colón) Héctor Lavoe 3:35
References
^Howard J. Blumenthal The World Music CD Listener's Guide 1998 p.37 "The Good-The Bad-The Ugly Fania 484 One of the most important 1970s salsa albums, and one of Colon's best. The sound is distinguished by phenomenally tight twin lead trombones played by Colon and Eric Matos, and by three lead vocalists singing their best: Colon, Hector Lavoe, and Ruben Blades. The playing is tight, fast, and the arrangements (by Colon and Marty Sheller) make the most of the trombones and the varied Latin and Brazilian percussion section. With 18 band members, this is a recording filled with surprises..."
^María Pérez y González Puerto Ricans in the United States 2000 0313297487 p 151 "In 1975 Ruben Blades (a Panamanian and a well-known U.S. actor) was invited to become part of the band, and they produced a New York salsa album titled The Good, the Bad, the Ugly."
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