The Good, the Bad, the Ugly is the ninth studio album by American singer and trombonist 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.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..." Lavoe recorded his tracks on return from Kinshasa 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.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."
Track listing
Personnel Choir/Chorus, Main Personnel, Vocals - Ada Chabrier Main Personnel, Trumpet - Antonio Montagna Main Personnel, Alto Saxophone - Bobby Porcelli Bass, Bass Guitar, Main Personnel - Eddie Rivera Electric Guitar, Main Personnel - Elliott Randall Main Personnel, Trombone - Eric Matos Choir/Chorus, Main Personnel, Vocals - Ernie Agosto Primary Artist, Vocals - Héctor Lavoe Piano - Joe Torres Audio Engineer, Engineer - Jon Fausty Bongos, Percussion - Jose Mangual Bongos, Choir/Chorus, Main Personnel, Vocals - Jose Mangual Jr. Drums, Main Personnel - José Cigno Original Photography, Photography - Lee Marshall Main Personnel, Trumpet - Lew Soloff Main Personnel, Timbales - Louie "Timbalito" Romero Main Personnel, Baritone Saxophone - Mario Rivera Arranger - Marty Sheller Congas, Main Personnel, Percussion - Milton Cardona Main Personnel, Percussion - Prof. Joe Torres Main Personnel, Percussion - Ray Armando Main Personnel, Piano - Rodgers Grant Artwork, Cover Design, Design - Ron Levine Choir/Chorus, Main Personnel, Vocals - Rubén Blades Bass Guitar, Main Personnel - Santi "Choflomo" Gonzalez Liner Notes - Thomas Muriel Main Personnel, Trombone, Tuba - Tom "Bones" Malone Arranger, Audio Production, Choir/Chorus, Leader, Main Personnel, Primary Artist, Producer, Trombone, Vocals - Willie Colon Cuatro, Main Personnel - Yomo Toro
References