Time to Get Lonely Everybody!!!
drwu52 | Daytona Beach, FL | 07/19/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album is smokin' hot!
If you're not yet a Los Lonely Boys fan, after listening to this, their second studio album, you will be!! After the release of their first self-titled studio album, I was hooked as a HUGE fan, but still maintained that where the Boys really shined was in their live performances ("Los Lonely Boys Live at the Fillmore" cd and "Texican Style Live from Austin" dvd are available if ya can't get to see em live in concert). But after this studio album, I can't say that anymore! Live OR in the studio, these guys really rock (Texican Style, that is)!
This album adds a deeper dimension to LLB's work, with more of a Hispanic/Cojunto influence present that just makes ya want to get up and move to the music (swaying to the slow stuff and jumping to the fast, driving beat -- sometimes in the same song!), adding to various cuts a horn section (that, at first, having heard some songs live without the brass, I wasn't sure I liked, but now I'm in love with the fuller sound), a button acordian, harmonica, organ (Reese Wynans of Stevie Ray Vaughan's Double Trouble Band on some cuts), and guest vocals of Willie Nelson and the Boys' father, Enrique, Sr., on "Outlaws," a great country rock track paying tribute to all the outlaws in country rock, past, present, known and unknown.
Henry delivers driving, cutting lead guitar riffs, reminiscent of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Carlos Santana (yet even better in so many ways). Jo Jo's free-wheeling bass playing rivals or tops that of Jack Bruce (Cream's outstanding bass player), playing off of and against his brother's lead, and Ringo's talented drum-work provides the punch necessary to compete with his brother's guitars. Add to all of this, the brothers' beautifully blended harmonies (only possible from blood relations, i think) and you can't help but singing along!
Listen to the words of the songs here, whether the hard pumping rock or the slower "ballads" -- they deliver great messages, and actually say something positive about life, love, and family (a rarity in the popular music industry these days).
Any of the tracks here could be hit singles and it's hard to pick a favorite! (although the rebelious "My Way," the harmonic syncopation and guitar work of "Orale," the up-tempo Mexican sound of "Oye Mamacita," "Texican Style," and "Outlaws" are definite selections!) I definitely disagree with another of the reviews here which was somewhat critical of the last half of the album! "Texican Style," with its Cojunto beat, is a fun song and will definitely get you dancin'! "One More Day"'s message, with it's gorgeous harmonies, is inspiring, calling on us to show some more love for our fellow man while we still have time, while Henry's wah-wah on lead guitar is classic. The Mexican beat of "Memories," the toe-tapping melody of "My Loneliness," the catchy harmonica of "Home," and the melodic "Living My Life" with its great guitar riff, round out the perfect album.
The Boys already have one Grammy win and a second Grammy nomination under their belts with their first album and this second studio enterprise is sure to garner more awards.
This deluxe version includes a 22-minute dvd of fun-loving interviews and energy-packed acoustic performances of six of their new songs, some still unfinished as of its taping, showing the raw progression of their work to that of the final version of the cd. It also gives a glimpse of the Boys love of familia and the music and highlights their diversity and talent.
Buy it! You won't regret it!!!"
Great DVD
Les Paul | East Coast of USA | 04/15/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you can not see these guys live, buy this DVD. Henry Garza is absolutely stunning on guitar. He sounds almost as good as ME! Seriously, this is a great show. In real life, I have been a semi-pro guitar player for 35 years. This guy has the sounds, style of a well seasoned veteran. I highly recommend this."
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1