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Los Lonely Boys - Sacred
CD DetailsArtist: Los Lonely Boys Edition: Music CD CD Release Date: 2006-07-18 Music Label: Sony Soundtracks: - My Way
- Orale
- Diamonds
- Oye Mamacita
- I Never Met A Woman
- Roses
- Texican Style
- One More Day
- Memories
- My Loneliness
- Outlaws
- Home
- Living My Life
Music reviews of SacredMusic Review: It's LLB...again! Rating: 5 Stars
As another LLB fan doing reviews here, I've got to add some additional comments to what's been shared so far.
While many of us have heard the bulk of the songs on this album as we've gone to shows or attended fan gatherings here in Texas, the finished album is a thing of beauty!
Let's review a bit. Sure, los hermanos Garza have to overcome their own success with the first album, and the runaway popularity of "Heaven"...after all, multi-platinum is a very high standard to set - but they did that after years in the dives and on the road. And the road to this album has had its share of bumps. LLB will overcome.
And let's dispense with "blues", "Tejano" and all the rest of the labels, too, while we're clearing the air. It is "Texican Style" folks...and it is a singular definition that applies only to Los Lonely Boys.
Arrangements. Some folks have observed that the songs are loaded - or perhaps "larded" - up with additional instruments to the detriment of the music. Fattening up the arrangements appears to have been born on the road, with the boys in control. While out on the road with Ozomatli, the boys invited the Ozo horn section to sit in on My Way. It makes real sense. Watch the video segment for Henry working the button accordian for Texican Style to see another family musical influence coming back to the fore. Who else on the pop/rock scene would bring a button accordian to the party? Last thought on this topic is - so what if there are more musicians working? As a dear friend of mine reminded me, if LLB performs these songs without all that backup, we're back to an LLB pure play. Either way, we all win!
Now for the songs:
My Way: Has gone from being a gritty, spit in your eye song to a powered up spit in your eye song. When I first heard it, I found it less than attractive, but this one will grow on you. Again, the horns just make sense!
Orale: The original title of the album, and maybe the most slaughtered (from a pronunciation standpoint) title on the CD. Has some interesting things buried in it - one chord progression in particular makes you HAVE to pay attention to this song.
Diamonds: We reach back to the original album for this one, with new lyrics...and it becomes the first single.
Oye Mamacita: This was being pieced together when the fan team, now called La Onda, first met at Stubbs in July of 2004. The song has matured beautifully!
I Never Met A Woman: This one has the power to replace Santana's Europa as the most played song at quinceaneras and weddings. It is a super powered snugglin' song, as any number of live performances will show. It put the crowd into their seats and couples close together when played in San Diego last year. And with the re-sequenced ending, it reminds us of LLB's roots.
Roses: The comment has already been made that Pat Simmons helped construct this. That is hardly a fatal flaw! The live version feels even more like a Doobies song - and later this year (2006), LLB will hit the stage along with the Doobies - which should be a real opportunity for some jams!
Texican Style: This one makes me think of a Texas river bottom, under the pecan trees, and a simple musical mix that presents a great jam opportunity. Imagine Ringo setting up a simple beat and Jojo and Henry joining in...while any number of "traveling musicians" take the time to fatten it up acoustically. This is the one that is set up with a button accordian. And don't miss the scat / voiceover at the end. "She was making goo-goo eyes at ME, man!"
One More Day: Unlike almost everyone else, I think this song has the potential to be the next "Heaven" - it reminds us that LLB are spiritual men, and that hope is an undying thing. Far and away my personal favorite song from this album. And the acoustic version of this on the DVD is fabulous.
Memories: Debuted at the Greek Theater in July, 2005, this song is cool and introspective. Could prove that LLB could do well in a real smoky jazz lounge.
My Loneliness: Yes, a Beatles feeling song, and evidently Sir Paul thought so too at the Bridge School. The inspiration for this song has been cussed and discussed by fans for quite a while, but it has a peace and beauty that is gorgeous.
Outlaws: Another song that I was not not fond of on first hearing, but which has its place in the LLB songbook. And not, in my opinion, as the possible country crossover, but as another song that shows LLB's determination to succeed outside the rules that everyone else must follow.
Home: Also in construction for a while - and one that has blossomed incredibly. And that harp sounds like Stevie Wonder...Henry sure can bend!
Living My Life: In company with My Way, this song reminds us that three fairly young men from San Angelo are creating a path of their own in the world. Also gritty - but with a subtle defiance - maybe a wry celebration - of the endurance required to be a traveling act.
A last tip-of-the-hat. I once heard someone close to the band talk about all the elements of good musical performance, one of which is to work the songwriting and lyrics muscles. LLB songs are simple - but nowhere near as predictable as most country music. Simple is not bad...it is just simple. And simple can be quite artistic.
Gymnastic chord progressions and fractured syncopation may be desireable...and the rhythmic pounding associated with some other contemporary popular music may move feet to a different beat.
But whether you are in your 20s or your 80s, you'll catch some pretty eternal emotions in these lyrics. A reminder - and an inspiration - from some pretty simple words that come right from the heart.
So yet again, I have to recommend that you visit iTunes or whereever you get your music, and get a copy of Sacred and start soaking it up! Have fun. And take note that Los Lonely Boys are back, strong and vital!
More Sacred free music reviews: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Description of SacredSince their worldwide breakout in 2004, Texican trio Los Lonely Boys - brothers Henry, JoJo and Ringo Garza - have achieved multi-platinum album sales, a Grammy Award (their monster hit 'Heaven' won Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group in 2005), and widespread acclaim from critics, fans and other musicians. All those experiences and more inform their commanding, propulsive new album, 'Sacred,'. 'Sacred' finds the Boys writing and playing with a new confidence, stretching their subject matter and arrangements on the album's thirteen songs, all of which they wrote or co-wrote. 'Sacred' opens with the killer one-two punch of "Diamonds," the album's anthemic first single, and "My Way," a defiant guitar shuffle that reminds listeners why Guitar World magazine named Henry Garza the Breakthrough Artist of the Year in a 2005 cover story. "My Way" also finds LLBs adding a horn section to their signature mix for the first time. Elsewhere on the album, they add other new colors to their arrangements including button accordion, Hammond B3 and Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer electric piano and Henry's virtuosic Harmonica playing. Other highlights on 'Sacred' include "I Never Met A Woman," the Boys' most soulful ballad to date, the impossibly catchy lament of "Roses," and "Outlaws," a song which features two distinguished guest vocalists: LLBs mentor Willie Nelson, and their father, Enrique Garza Sr. Mr. Garza - a talented Tejano and country musician in his own right - taught his sons to play their instruments, and enlisted them to be his backing band from an early age. His appearance on 'Sacred' brings the first family of Texican rock n' roll full circle. One of the few contemporary bands to land a decidedly roots-rock song on the charts with 2004's Grammy-winning "Heaven," Los Lonely Boys solidified their status as youngsters with an established sound on their first disc. On this highly anticipated studio followup, all talk of the sophomore jinx dissipates with the opening soul-drenched riff rocker "My Way." Although horns are added for extra drama, the three Garza brothers nail this groove as Henry's Stevie Ray Vaughan-fortified guitar powers one of the boys' most fiery performances. Supporter and mentor Willie Nelson joins on the wah-wah driven, Waylon Jennings-styled "Outlaws," as does the brothers' musician father Enrique Sr. Tough midtempo ballads such as "Home" and the very Santana-ish "I Never Met a Woman" follow in the footsteps of "Heaven" as candidates for slow dance song of the year.Anyone entranced by the Garzas' debut will be thrilled by this classy followup that tightens some of the loose ends but displays additional confidence resulting from two years of nearly nonstop road work. The band spotlights its Tex-Mex roots on the accordion-driven "Texican Style," where near-perfect vocal harmonies drive an irresistible bluesy shuffle. Most encouraging is that Los Lonely Boys haven't succumbed to commercial pressure since their surprise hit debut. Rather, they have refined and organically expanded their approach, and crafted another classy, committed, radio-friendly Americana gem that meshes blues, Mexican, and soul with a spicy topping of hot-sauce musicianship. --Hal Horowitz Más Lonely Boys  Live at Blue Cat Blues |  Los Lonely Boys |  Live at the Fillmore |
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