Search - Ramon Ayala :: Casas De Madera

Ramon Ayala has been the leading proponent of norteño music for almost 30 years, thanks to his exquisite song selection and studio wizardry. Whether melancholy theses on love's departure or life-affirming polka stomps, Ayala's songs are as comfortable as an old glove. Hundreds of bands have tried to imitate him, but few have been able to capture the crystal-clear fidelity he gets in the studio. Each of his albums vibrates with bass-line tension and harmonically rich accordion runs. Heads nod and feet tap even to dark tunes like "Mandame a la Tumba" and the bouncy "Bendita Pobreza," each of which packs dancing grooves funky enough to pull even casual rug cutters to the floor. --Ramiro Burr