Auld Lang Syne

Welcome 2010! In the spirit of the times, how about some music to reflect on the immediate past and envision the rapidly-approaching future? Don't be a-scared! A wise man once said that we accept change when our fear of the future is finally less than our fear of the past. Go with it, you don't have a choice anyway.

Seven songs for the season.


First up, and no reflection on what you might have done last night, is Freddy Fender's classic, Wasted Days and Wasted Nights. This version is the original 1960 recording issued on a 45 RPM. Although I've looked, I've never been able to find this in vinyl or CD. Anyone have any suggestions? I'm looking for this original -- not the 1975 hit, or one of the many versions that the late, great Fender recorded with the Texas Tornados and others.

Next, because it's too easy to forget about the split personality of time, eternal and yet never enough, take a listen to Los Lobos doing one of my favorite songs.

End of the year might mean a few regrets or even a broken heart. Pedro Infante promises to lament unrequited love for a hundred years -- muy romántico.

Even I have to occasionally ponder those things we can't really understand. A new year is a time to take stock, say a prayer, hope for better. Los Lonely Boys do it this way --

Times are tough, no doubt. Think too hard about it, and it could get downright depressing. We got two wars that our leaders call peace and we're working our way into a third. We set a record (again) for foreclosures in 2009; unemployment is double-digit and the country has lost more than 16 million jobs. We wonder about all that money the government gave the fat cats and we shake our heads; and yet we won't give up hope. In the end, we have each other, and that's more than enough. Here's a song and video that should pick up your spirits, by Sones de México Ensemble.

The next is my New Year's toast, done much better than I could ever manage, by the incomparable Joan Baez.

To top it all off, the Corrido de Auld Lang Syne by none other than Little Bobby Rey and His Band (of Rockin' J Bells fame.) No video, just the music. Click here. Happy New Year!


Later.

New American Music

Just in case we might like the same kinds of music, here are a few new selections that have earned time on the ole' turntable.


PISTOLERA - EN ESTE CAMINO
Luchadora
The second CD from this New York-based group does not have a weak spot in any of the twelve tracks. From Nuevos Ojos to Arena the songs are tight, full-bore Latino progressive, including the rendition of Bob Marley's War (Guerra). The group consists of Sandra Lilia Velásquez on vocals and guitar, Maria Elena on accordion and piano, Inca B. Saiz on bajo, and Ani Cordero on drums and vocals. These four musicians manage to produce a powerful and very danceable sound. There is a lot going on here, from the selection of song formats and instruments to the politically-charged lyrics - check out Extranjero and Policía for examples. As I did my best to keep up to the music, I heard a little banda, a little tejano, a bit more of ranchera, a dose of indie-pop, and a great deal of something else that this band brings all on its own. Go here for a video interview with the entire band as part of its selection as the Clandestino Artist of the Month for Go TV Networks. The band's website is here.


CALEXICO - CARRIED TO DUST
Quarterstick Records
Tuscon residents Joey Burns and John Convertino (and several guest musicians, some of whom are now members of the band) have been recording as Calexico since 1996. Their latest effort, Carried to Dust, is a pleasing combination of musicianship, lyrical free expression, and a soaring, almost romantic ambiance. There's a country style to the music, but somehow jazz plays a part. According to the record label website, this collection is a concept piece about a Los Angeles writer, the 2007 writer's strike, and a mind-bending tour of stops along the inspirational highway. I confess I haven't got that deep into the CD yet, but the song Writer's Minor Holiday sure is in that territory. You can watch Burns and Convertino perform Two Silver Trees. Amparo Sanchez and Jacob Valenzuela carry the vocals on the beautiful and intriguing Inspiración. The video does not do justice to the CD version, but you can watch the full Calexico band perform Inspiración here at this link.


LOS FABULOCOS FEATURING KID RAMOS - LOS FABULOCOS
Delta Grove
I confess. I'm an old timer. I dig oldies, roots music, blues, conjunto, a little country. Give me some rockabilly or a speeding accordion, and it's all good. Through in some Tex-Mex and a soul cover, a few catchy lyrics, and it's even better. And there you have Los Fabulocos. Veteran Southern California musicians Jesus Cuevas (vocals and accordion), Mike Molina (drums), and James Barrios (bass and background vocals) have teamed up with blues star Kid Ramos (vocals, guitar, bajo sexto, Spanish guitar) to form a high-energy, kick-ass party band that challenges you to stay in your seat once they get started. Hey, this CD has Un Mojado Sin Licencia (the guy just wanted to see his Chencha) from Flaco Jimenez's playlist, the zydeco classic You Ain't Nothin' But Fine, and Cornelia Reyna's Como Un Perro. Included are bangin' versions of Lloyd Price's Just Because (one of the all-time pachuco broken-hearted tunes) and Dr. Loco's Mexico Americano. See what I mean? How can this be anything but great. And the original material is just as solid: If You Know, Day After Day, and You Keep Drinkin' . This CD gets my highest recommendation. There's plenty of video of these guys already on the Internet. Here's one.

CD release party on September, 12 2008, 9:00 PM, at The Doll Hut with guests The 44’s - 107 Adams Avenue, Anaheim, California. (714)533-1286.

AND ...
I've heard only samples of the new Indigenous effort, Broken Lands, but it's getting good press. Need to get my hands on a full copy. Los Lonely Boys have struck again with another winner, Forgiven. Accordion giant Steve Jordan produced this gig. And for something different - Wynton Marsalis and Willie Nelson? It works. Contrary to the CD's title, Two Men with the Blues, this is not downbeat. Stardust is splendid.


A BIT AND A PIECE
Rigoberto González reviews Manuel Peña's Where The Ox Does Not Plow (University of New Mexico Press) in the El Paso Times, which you can read here. González says that "Peña's memoir is an insightful study of one man's journey toward political and social consciousness, and of his discovery that value is not in wages and class comforts, but in self-respect and the appreciation for his imperfect family and community. Education, he tells us, is not limited to the confines of the classroom."


Finally, I had some fun with Elmore Leonard and his Ten Rules For Writing in a piece I did for the Colorado Authors' League. You can read it here. As my grandson says, "Just kidding."

Later.