Joe Bataan
Gypsy Woman
Fania Records SLP 340
Original release, 1967
1990’s CD reissue
Emerging out of the hybrid crossroads of boogaloo, R&B, Latin Soul, and the nascent salsa scene, Joe Bataan was defying categorization and bending genres long before it was hip. The first album I heard by him was “Subway Joe”, but it was years before I realized he didn’t actually sing any of the Spanish-language numbers in his repertoire – those, in the early days at least, were handled by Joe Pagan. For a fascinating glimpse into the complexities of being an Afro-Filipino in the barrio, you can watch this interview with him done by Red Bull Academy. Although I personally like that there is an entire 2 hours of it, somebody could probably edit that down a bit, for the non-fanatical.
This album opens with a cover of The Impressions’ “Gypsy Woman” and ends with one of his signature originals, Ordinary Guy. Since the remastered Fania CDs are a travesty and abomination (brick-walled, subjected to ham-fisted noise reduction, and guaranteed to fatigue your ears in 10 minutes or less), take advantage of this early CD pressing which is a relatively flat transfer with far fewer digital artifacts). Don’t forget to add your own hand-claps! And listen to the trombone! With any luck we’ll be seeing some Craft Recordings / Concord reissues of Bataan’s work now that they’ve been offering nuggets from the Fania back catalog, including a double LP of collected singles that include some Bataan.
1 Gypsy Woman 2:31
2 So Fine 3:05
3 Fuego 6:28
4 Campesino 3:46
5 Chickie’s Trombone 2:37
6 Too Much Lovin’ 2:33
7 Sugar Guaguanco 3:56
8 Figaro 3:57
9 Ordinary Guy 3:25
Bass – Louis Devis
Congas – Victor Gonzalez
Percussion [Bell] – Richie Cortez
Piano, Vocals – Joe Bataan
Timbales – Eddie Nater
Trombone – Joe “Chickie” Fuente, Ruben Hernandez
Vocals – Joe Pagan
Design – Izzy Sanabria
Engineer – Irving Greenbaum
Producer – Jerry Masucci
Recorded by / musical director – Johnny Pacheco
Bataan’s name is on my radar from a recent compilation I got (It’s A Good Good Feeling The Latin Soul Of Fania Records 2021) that features about 20 or so of his songs. Great stuff. Really happy to get this. Thank you Dr. V!
I’ve been considering that compilation but I think there are 2 distinct versions, one on vinyl and one as a CD box with more songs? I mentioned it in the blog post above as possibly signaling that Concord/Craft will be reissuing some of Bataan’s albums soon.
Just got a chance to listen to this and it’s absolutely wonderful. Funny that the credits don’t specifically mention Bataan as being on piano/vocals. I can just see Los Lobos sitting around listening to this and discussing a possible cover of one of these tunes. Thanks again!
…..and I meant the credits on the actual album artwork, not your credits which of course do clear up that he was on piano/vocals.