Mariachi Mestizo – XXV Anniversario
This starts quite differently from most albums with the sound of a train & then the heavenly voices of young singers. The music’s sprightly, pristine & woven like a quilt. “El Son De El Tren” is superb even if you don’t understand Spanish. It’s the music that captures your ear & enters the pores of your skin. Nothing but joy & happiness spills from these instruments & voices. The vocal duet with Nathaniel Rios & Pablo Tovar is excellently supported by the band.
There are 13 selections to the Juan Morales produced Mariachi Mestizo – XXV Anniversario (Drops March 14/Little Village/46:50) which is a performing group originally founded 25 years ago. The musicians are often made up of skillful, talented students in grades 7-12. You heard right. This kind of music has found a dedicated audience. Mariachi Mestizo has performed for years & may be considered World Music to some, but it’s made in Delano, CA, with South of the border melodies that are enchanting & beautiful. It’s universal music anyone can wrap their ears around.
“Mazatlán” sung with innocence in her tonality by Isadora Bravo & a Herb Alpert clean trumpet supported by a wave of excellent strings in their well-disciplined performances. It’s hard to believe how competent everyone is. Some tunes are Spanish folk songs, vintage cantina tunes & enthusiastic tales. But the instrumentation is like a wall-of-sound that paints bright saturated colors & fills the room with flourishes of melody.
“La Bala Perdida,” is a perfect tune for movies faithful to the culture. It carries its ambitious delicacy along like a rich spicy aroma from a kitchen. It stimulates the musical appetite. The horns punctuate with precision & with delectable charm. The strings drift with riveting coolness. Masterful.
Though the vocals are from young voices, there’s no indication these are juveniles. The voices are exuberant, strong & certainly self-assured. Linda Ronstadt recorded similar LPs years ago (“Canciones de mi padre” & “Mas Canciones”) & this LP could easily segue in those — it’s that good.
“El Son De El Palmero” is exceptional. Vocals are framed by gatling gun horns firing out notes inexhaustibly. There are tints of Lalo Schifrin’s “Emboscada” (1969) in tunes like “El Cascabel” that make the tune fiery & exciting. An excellent finale. Enjoyable.
Play these in a Spanish restaurant & the patrons (of any persuasion) will dance before dessert is served.
Highlights – “El Son De El Tren,” “Mazatlán,” “La Bala Perdida,” “Dos Arbolitos,” “El Son De El Palmero,” “El Perro Negro,” “Dos Palomas Al Volar,” “Si Nos Dejan” & “El Cascabel.”
Musicians – Joelynn Valencia, Caleb Prieto, Isadora Bravo & Evita Medina (violin/vocals), Vicente Fernandez (violin/vocal), Giselle Cortez & Mia Olmedo (trumpet/vocals), Pablo Tovar (trumpet/vocals), Brianna Felix (vihuela/vocals), Dayanara Bravo (guitarrón/vocals), Nathaniel Rios (guitar/vocals) & Juan A. Morales (musical director).
Cover photo courtesy of Adam Perez. CD at Apple & https://littlevillagefoundation.com/mestizo/
