Bob Neuwirth
Havana Midnight (Motor Diesel)
In the summer of 1998, Bob Neuwirth took a trip to Cuba. Neuwirth, who in his 40 years as an artist has worked with the likes of Bob Dylan, Patti Smith, Kris Kristofferson, and T-Bone Burnett among others, visited the island country to collaborate with Jose Maria Vitier. A composer and pianist whose work includes the score for the critically acclaimed film Strawberries & Chocolate, Vitier teamed up with Neuwirth to compose the nine songs that make up Havana Midnight, a truly unique work that melds the American folk tradition with the playing of classically trained Cuban musicians. It’s intriguing that Havana Midnight is not a political statement, and yet is haunted with the trails and tribulations of humankind, the ebb and flow of the things that connect us all. The collection’s centerpiece, “Don Quixote,” is a delightfully curious, imaginary meeting at a bar between Neuwirth, Don Simpson, and the famous Spaniard offset by eerie guitar and violin. The ethereal female vocals of Gema 4 and the lithe piano work of Vitier add a distinctive feel to the ode of longing and remorse, “The First Time,” while the title track evokes a late-night stroll through the city’s streets. With his limited range, Neuwirth’s vocals may be an acquired taste for some, but his undiluted emotions and the deceptively intricate musical backdrops Vitier has created are captivating, making Havana Midnight an understated triumph. 
This article appears in July 14 • 2000.