Even after 10 years, I still find it difficult to predict what actually turns Japanese world-music fans on.
Japan eventually caught up with the rest of the world with the craze in old Cubans. This year just about everyone connected with the Buena Vista Social Club has played here, with Compay Segundo still to come at the end of this month.
Compay Segundo, the 93-year-old guitarist and composer, was a central figure on the Buena Vista Social Club album. This was demonstrated by the semi-"official" version of the group on tour in Japan earlier this year, featuring Ibrahim Ferrer, Ruben Gonzalez and Omara Portuondo. They were unable to perform some songs on the album, including the group's near "signature tune," the opening "Chan Chan."