New and related CDs

Ry Cooder- "Chavez Ravine" is a magnificent CD by the legendary guitarist/producer released in 2005 on the Nonesuch/Perro Verde record label. It contains songs and/or vocal performances by Ry Cooder, Lalo Guerrero, Little Willie G. (of Thee Midniters fame), Ersi Arvisu (of The Sisters & El Chicano fame), Rudy Salas (of Tierra fame), David Hidalgo of Los Lobos, and Don Tosti, among others. The CD's theme involves the destruction of the barrio of Chavez Ravine to build Dodger Stadium in the early 60s. The songs are in English, Spanish, and some are bi-lingual. Pachuco slang, or Caló, is also used throughout. Hopefully this CD will do for Chicano music what Cooder's "Buena Vista Social Club" did for Cuban music and some of it's pioneers.

Ry Cooder- "San Patricio" (Spanish for St. Patrick) is a collaboration by legendary Irish group The Chieftans and Ry Cooder, joined by various guest artists. The recording commemorates a little-known connection between Mexicans and the Irish. During the Mexican-American War of the 1840s, a group of disaffected Irish-American conscripts led by Capt. John Riley crossed the border to fight with the Mexicans. Riley put together a battalion named the "San Patricio," deserted the U.S. Army and joined the Mexicans to fight on what he saw as the side of justice. The Chieftains' album features a long list of guest artists, including narration by Irish-born actor Liam Neeson of a poem in tribute to the San Patricios.

Alan O'Day- "I Hear Voices" is a new CD by singer/songwriter Alan O'Day. Alan, who grew up in Indio, California, had a number one hit as a solo artist in 1977 with "Undercover Angel." He also had hits writing for others such as "Angie Baby" by Helen Reddy and "Rock & Roll Heaven" by the Righteous Brothers, which he co-wrote. His new CD spans many styles including rock, blues, country pop and what he describes as "uplifting spiritual songs." My favorites are a rocker called "My Rock & Roll Shoes," the funky "Things That Are Lost," and the melodic "Please Don't Believe Me." This collection of songs show his great songwriting ability and his vocals are excellent, particularly on "Please Don't Believe Me," on which his voice is silky smooth while cleanly reaching some impressively high notes. For more info visit www.alanoday.com and www.myspace.com/alanoday. "I Hear Voices" is also available at amazon.com on the button below. "I Hear Voices" is available at amazon.com at the link below and at www.cdbaby.com.

Trini Lopez- "Romantic & Sexy Guitars" has just been released from Tri-Lo Productions. It's got 14 tracks including new versions of "Una Paloma Blanca," "Memories Are Made of This," "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," and "If I Were a Carpenter." Most of the album is Trini playing various acoustic and/or electric guitars, percussion, and singing various parts. This technique works great and Trini is in excellent voice. The only song that has a full band production is my song, "Oh Maria." I provided the track and also played lead guitar. The CD is currently available at amazon.com at the link below and at www.trinilopez.com.

Redbone- The best Redbone compilation ever has been released by Sony Records on their Legacy label. "The Essential Redbone" has 14 of the best songs Redbone recorded in the early 70s, including their hits "Maggie," "The Witch Queen of New Orleans," and their mega hit "Come and Get Your Love." The recordings have been digitally re-mastered and sound better than ever! Pete DePoe, Redbone's original drummer, sent me a copy and tells me Redbone will soon be out on the road again. You can order "The Essential Redbone at amazon.com at the link below and at www.sonymusic.store.com.

Carmencristina Moreno- Carmen has a great new CD out called "Lovers & Legends," which she describes as "ballads of heroes, bandits, causes, and lovers." Her voice is as great as ever and her songwriting continues to evolve to new heights. Some of the highlights of the album are "The Battle of Cinco de Mayo," which chronicles the history of the legendary event in Mexican history; "You'll Always Have Sabor a Mi," an English language version of the classic Mexican bolero; a sexy, bluesy song called "Working Man's Woman;" the beautiful and jazzy "Ellen's Song;" a cover of Jack Hanna's "Ballad of Joaquin Murrieta;" and a beautiful Spanish/English version of "America O' Bella/America the Beautiful." This and other Carmencristina Moreno CDs are available at amazon.com at the link below and on her website, www.carmencristina.com.

"Pachuco Boogie," a CD released in 2002 on Arhoolie Records, which features the pachuco music of Don Tosti. Also included are pachuco recordings by Lalo Guerrero and others. Read about it on my article about Don Tosti entitled "Don Tosti: Master of Music" and order the CD at amazon.com at the link below or from ArhoolieRecords.

“Eastside Sound 1959-1968, A album released in 1996 on the Dionysus label on CD. Some of the East L.A. bands and vocalists featured include The Mixtures, The Premiers, The Romancers, The Blendells, The Jaguars, The Salas Brothers, The Atlantics, and Cannibal & the Headhunters. The CD is available at www.dionysusrecords.com and at the link below on amazon.com.

“Eastside Sound, Volume 2, Featuring Mark & the Escorts,”- An album released in 2000 on the Dionysus label on CD and vinyl entitled "Eastside Sound, Vol. 2, Featuring Mark & the Escorts." Mark & the Escorts was my teenage band from 1963 to '66. We recorded four sides for Crescendo Records in 1965. The songs are reissued on this compilation album. (We're on the cover and I wrote the liner notes). Other artists on the collection are the Blendells, the Premiers, and others. It's available at Tower Records, Virgin Superstores, etc., or can be ordered at your local record store. On the internet you can get it on my website on the Mark Guerrero Recordings page or go to www.dionysus.com. Once there, click on "Online Store" and then you can find it on CD on the "Bacchus Archives CD" link on the menu and the vinyl album on the "Bacchus Archives LP" link. Click here to read my liner notes for the album.

"Eastside Sound, Vol. 2"
Mark & the Escorts / others (2000)

Mindrocker- A 13 CD Anthology of 60s US-Punk Garage Psych Box Set with 13 Discs released by Past & Present Records in the United Kingdom. My first official recording is included on Disk 1, "Get Your Baby" by Mark & the Escorts (1965). Also included in the set are recordings by artists who were well known in the 60s such as ? & the Mysterions, The Knickerbockers, The Seeds, Johnny Winter, The Standells, Mark IV, Rising Sons, and Music Machine. The other artists included weren't so well known, but have that exciting punk garage sound that is a genre which has become more and more appreciated and recognized with time as a precursor to the punk movement. The collection is available at amazon.com at the link below. Click here for another site where it's available.

Mindrocker
The Complete Series: Volumes 1-13 (2007)

APB- "Be On the Lookout" is a new CD by veteran East L.A. band APB, led by drummer extraordinaire Aaron Ballesteros. Aaron has played with classic Eastside bands Tierra, Thee Midniters, and Los Lobos, as well as Latin giants such as Tito Puente, Poncho Sanchez, and Willie Bobo. Aaron wrote most of the songs on this collection and sings lead on several of them. Also on lead vocals is Gilbert Stokes, who is a first rate vocalist. The band is rounded out by guitarist Dennis Alvarez and bassist Steve Falomir of Tierra. Guest artists on the CD include Poncho Sanchez, Cesar Rosas of Los Lobos, guitarist Bob Robles of Thee Midniters, and others. Highlights include the title track "Be On the Lookout," an excellent reggae song, the clever and humorous "Oranges," a political anthem ("Huelga"), the musically sophisticated "Freedom Jazz Rap," and a ballad called "For the Rest of My Life." There are also solid cover versions of "How Long" and Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love." Included with the CD is a DVD of the song "Huelga." For more info visit www.apbmusic.org.

"Be On the Lookout!"
APB (2006)

Frankie Firme- "16 Golden Treasures from the Vaults of Rampart Records"- a new eclectic compilation of classic "Eastside Sound," r&b, and tex mex recordings from the Rampart Records group of record labels founded by the late Eddie Davis. Some of the artists included in the collection are The Heartbreakers, Little Ray Jimenez, The Salas Brothers with the Jaguars, The Romancers, and The Atlantics featuring Barry White. It's very well-packaged with a booklet filled with vintage photos and information on the artists and recordings. The CD is available at amazon.com at the link below. Click here to order CD at EastLARevue.com.

"Frankie Firme
16 Golden Treasures" (2007)

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