Texas Tornados 4 Aces CD

The Texas Tornados: Doug Sahm (vocals, 6- and 12-string guitars, maracas); Augie Meyers (vocals, accordion, piano, Vox organ); Flaco Jimenez (vocals, accordion); Freddy Fender (vocals).
Additional personnel: Derek O'Brien (electric guitar); Louie Ortega (guitar, background vocals); Joe "King" Carrasco, John X. Reed (guitar); Ry Cooder (slide guitar); Vern Monnett (steel guitar); Jim Dickinson (piano); Allan Rich (keyboards, synthesizer); Max Baca (bajo sexto); Jack Barber, Chris Jurado, M. "Speedy" Sparks (bass); Ernie Durawa, Clay Meyers, George Rains, Barry "Frosty" Smith (drums); Rosie Flores (background vocals).
The West Side Horn Section: Rocky Morales, Cullen Offer (tenor saxophone); Louis Bustos (baritone saxophone); Al Gomez (trumpet).
Recorded at Arlyn Recording Studio, Austin, Texas. Includes liner notes by Doug Sahm.
"Little Bit Is Better Than Nada" was nominated for a 1997 Grammy Award for Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal.
Personnel: Doug Sahm (vocals, guitar, 12-string guitar, maracas); Augie Meyers (vocals, accordion, piano); Flaco Jiménez (vocals, accordion); Freddy Fender (vocals); Louie Ortega (guitar, classical guitar, background vocals); Joe "King" Carrasco, John Reed (guitar); Derek O'Brien (electric guitar); Ry Cooder (slide guitar); Vern Monnett (steel guitar); Max Baca (bajo sexto); Cullen Offer (tenor saxophone); Lewis Bustos (baritone saxophone); Al Gomez (trumpet); Jim Dickinson (piano); Allan Rich (keyboards, synthesizer, percussion); Chris Jurado, Speedy Sparks (bass guitar); Clay Meyers, George Rains, Ernie Durawa, Barry Frosty Smith (drums); Rosie Flores (background vocals).
Audio Mixer: Don Smith .
Liner Note Author: Doug Sahm.
Recording information: Arlyn Recording Studio, Austin, TX.
Photographer: Dennis Keeley.
Unknown Contributor Role: Allan Rich.
Arrangers: Doug Sahm; Flaco Jiménez; Freddy Fender; Louie Ortega; Joe "King" Carrasco; Los Relámpagos del Norte; Max Baca; Augie Meyers.
Despite a few good moments -- like the rollicking "Clinging to You" -- 4 Aces is a bit too predictable of a good time from the Texas Tornados. Certainly, all of the ingredients that made their previous recordings delightful are present, but the problem is the album doesn't ever quite catch fire with the goofy fun that distinguished their best music. ~ Thom Owens
Although 4 Aces is a bit too predictable of a good time from the Texas Tornados, all of the ingredients that made their previous recordings delightful are present. The rollicking "Clinging to You" is one of the album's good moments. ~ Thom Owens
Working within the confines of a style as singular as Tex-Mex, one of the greatest difficulties is finding a way to keep the music sounding fresh. Year after year, the Texas Tornados manage to do just that, serving up spicy slabs of south-of-the-border soul. Their music brings together rock and roll, R&B, country and traditional Mexican folk music (represented in the norteno accordion of Flaco Jimenez and the stirring, romantic voice of Freddy Fender). On 4 ACES, the mutant charm of this musical hybrid is exemplified by the mysterious, Del Shannon-esque title cut, the country-flavored torch ballad "In My Mind" and the 6/8 New Orleans stroll of "Tell Me." On those and other tunes, the Tornados prove themselves adept at working endlessly appealing variations on the style that is their foundation.Rolling Stone (8/8/96, p.62) - 3 Stars (out of 5) - "...This time the Tornados have tilted their Tex-Mex balance more in the Mex direction, with gorgeous Spanish-language love songs sung by [Freddy] Fender..."
Option (11-12/97, pp.133-134) - "Border radio tuned in by four geezers who actually remember border radio....produced by a man with a Midas touch who channels 'em into sonic gold....that such a band can make such breathtakingly gorgeous, emotional music for a major label in 1996 is astounding."