Café Tacvba: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Oct. 12, 2018 | Felix Contreras -- It's appropriate that the pioneering Mexican band Café Tacvba (Tacuba) start its set with "Olita del Altamar" ("Waves from the High Seas") from the group's 2012 album El Objeto Antes Llamado Disco. It's essentially an incantation of the magic that transpired during their performance behind Bob Boilen's desk. The lyrics sing of the comings and goings of waves, symbolic of the passage of time and fueled by the Mexican folk rhythm son jarocho, a favorite of the band's since their start almost 30 years ago.

They then fast forward to "Diente de León" ("Dandelion"), from their 2017 album Jei Beibi. It's a majestic, stripped-down version that puts the emphasis back on the lyric, a plea for existential and environmental harmony using the metaphor of the weedy flower.

As usual, lead vocalist Rubén Albarrán is a captivating central presence, evoking a sense of down-home camaraderie with his ever friendly smile that has become the band's most outward image. Having seen the band play in front of dedicated fans in massive stadiums in Mexico City, it's striking to see his movements limited to a few careful spins and dance steps while still managing to embody the intense energy of their music.

Their song "Las Flores," from their 1994 album Re, slips into the ska groove that attracted fans to rock en Español in general and to Los Tacvbas in particular, a beat that captures the adventurous musical energy that swept all of Latin America in the early 1990s.

Not all bands would end their set with a power ballad, though very few bands hold their audience's attention and dedication like Café Tacvba. But that's just how they close their set, the four principal members together for almost 30 years, casting a musical spell that still captivates after all this time.

Set List
"Olita del Altamar"
"Diente de León"
"Las Flores"
"Que No"

Credits
Producers: Felix Contreras, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, Kara Frame, Kaylee Domzalski, CJ Riculan; Production Assistant: Brie Martin; Photo: Cameron Pollack/NPR

[KevinTspirit]

My very first solo trip to Mexico City walked to the Zócalo, and realized I walked into a Cafe Tacuba concert. This was years ago, and I had no clue who they were, but loved the concert. Nice to see them again.

[MrPablortega]

Café Tacvba is a historic band in latinoamerica. Almost 30 years as a Band. Always innovating. Que vivan los tacvbos

[Octagram_]

I was surprised when I saw Natalia Lafourcade in here, and now I see Café Tacvba...

This is just perfect, watching artists from my country in here makes me so happy

[ilike_color]

tbh, i clicked on the wrong video but this is better than what i was originally going to watch

[marisols.]

these guys are seriously the pride and joy of Mexico; they're experimental, innovative, fun, familiar... simply amazing.

[Byardigirn]

This is soft, beautiful and kind but don't be fooled, their concerts are the complete opposite: fun, loud and explosive. If you haven't seen Café Tacvba live, you haven't yet lived life to the fullest.

[seso_simio]

my jaw literally dropped when i saw these guys were at tiny desk

[TitoHerreraB]

You can tell for sure the crowd present that day had no idea who they where because any latin rock lover, or music connoisseur when they said or mention their album "RE" would have freak out or at least applause for one of the best album in latin Rock history. "Re" went as far as to be called by The New York Times as ""the equivalent of The Beatles' White Album for the rock en español movement" . CAFE TACUBA: LEYENDAS!!!! (Legends)

[rrdgz]

"Come and tell me all those things,
Invite me to sit with you,
I'll listen to all your dreams, in my ear,
Allow me to hold your hands,
and to gift you some dreams,
Tell me a story that makes me feel good,
I'll listen to you with all the silence of the planet,
and I'll look into your eyes as if they were the last ones left in this country" Pure Effing Poetry

[kokodrilito]

Soy dominicano y conocí a CT por un tío que compró el CD de RE, en ese entonces no todo el mundo tenía un reproductor de discos compactos en mi ciudad. Ese CD fue una joya! A él no le gustó tanto, no era su onda y me lo cogí para mi. Desde entonces fui fan de estos panas. Viajé a CDMX y visité el Restaurante Cafe de Tacuba solo por el nombre :D
Vinieron a Rep. Dominicana hace muchos años y los vi de uuuffff!!! Que conciertazo!! Cuando tocaron Ojalá Que Llueva Café medio Santo Domingo vibró.... Buenos tiempos aquellos!
Sí que me gustaría algún dia darme una rola de estos pinches genios musicales. A ver si se animan para cuando pase el covidkbron este

[atomicbrain]

This is cool. Each member of the band is dressed as if they are in a different type of band than the other members.

[seso_simio]

i bet some ppl have no idea how huge this band is in latin america

[angelicasalesg]

El tipo todavía puede cantar perfecto canciones que hizo hace más de 20 años. Una belleza.

[Bimp_Lizkit]

Caught these guys by accident on Austin City Limits in 2005. Had no idea of who they were. Outstanding! Been a fan ever since.

[tamatamaetc]

Tengo 85 años y estoy escuchando esto por 1902 vez, son increibles. como mola tio. Saludos desde Corsega

[drmonicak]

OMG!!! I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw Cafe Tacvba in the description! However, I REALLY wanted them to perform "Chilanga Banda." That's my favorite song.

[wachirabraso]

ey mahn! music knows no boundaries, language or race, if i love this from Kenya you can too..

[valeriacisneros]

I was listening to this on my phone and my mom walked by and told me that she met this band when she was in her 20’s in Manzanillo, Colima Mexico! She said she joined them in parties and they rode around town! I never knew this and now I’m shocked!!

[MimiClau]

Yo soy brasileña pero me encanta su idioma, és sonoro, redondo, e muy poético. Gracias ricos! Saludos desde Brasil.

[rojinegrodecorazon]

No puede ser posible que tenga la misma voz de hace 25 años carajo