Texas Tornados - Live from Austin TX CD

Live from Austin TX buy CD music Produced by longtime collaborator Phil Ramone, Paul Simon's So Beautiful or So What features guitarist Vincent Nguini, percussionist Steve Shehan, backing vocals from Simon's wife, Edie Brickell, and his daughter, Lulu, and a generous helping of the bluegrass group Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver. Audio Mixer: Phil Ramone. Liner Note Author: Elvis Costello. Photographer: Mark Seliger.

Live from Austin TX CD music Freight Train, Alan Jackson's 16th album, has none of the momentum of a locomotive but all of the reassuring sturdiness of a hulking piece of steel: this is music built for distance, not speed. Appropriately, not much on Freight Train moves all that fast -- there is a bit of a skipping gait to the title track -- and nothing hits that hard; it all rolls along comfortably, never pushing at the edges of Jackson's comfort zone. More than ever, the singer sounds like part of the old guard, willfully ignoring anything modern or rocking, preferring to sing swaying ballads and pay tribute to Vern Gosdin via a cover of "Till the End." As relaxed as this is, Jackson isn't necessarily coasting -- he wrote the lion's share of the 12 songs here, choosing his four covers wisely -- but his touch is so relaxed it sometimes it feels as if he is. Certainly, there's a fair share of charm to Jackson's cozy confidence, but Freight Train doesn't offer a sustained romantic mood along the lines of 2006's understated gem Like Red on a Rose. Instead, it's the sound of a major star gently easing away from the spotlight, deciding that he's so comfortable in his old clothes that there's no reason to try something new. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine Liner Note Author: Judy Forde-Blair. Recording information: The Castle, Franklin, TN; The Sound Station, Nashville, TN; Wedgewood Sound, Nashville, TN. Photographers: Russ Harrington; Timothy Monnig. Personnel: Brent Mason (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Bruce Watkins (acoustic guitar, banjo); Greenwood Hart (acoustic guitar); Paul Franklin (steel guitar); Stuart Duncan (mandolin, fiddle); Andy Leftwich (fiddle); Gary Prim (piano, Hammond b-3 organ, Wurlitzer organ); Hargus "Pig" Robbins (piano, Wurlitzer organ); Eddie Bayers (drums); Ryles Vincent, Rhonda Vincent, John Wesley (background vocals). Audio Mixer: John Kelton.

Live from Austin TX songs "Little Bit Is Better Than Nada" was nominated for a 1997 Grammy Award for Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal. 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. Recorded at Arlyn Recording Studio, Austin, Texas. Includes liner notes by Doug Sahm. The West Side Horn Section: Rocky Morales, Cullen Offer (tenor saxophone); Louis Bustos (baritone saxophone); Al Gomez (trumpet). 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. 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).

Live from Austin TX album for sale The Texas Tornados quietly folded in the wake of the death of Doug Sahm in 1999, but roughly a decade later they just as quietly became a going concern under the direction of his son Shawn, reuniting for regular gigs and a new album called ­Esta Bueno!. Released in March of 2010 (alongside the publication of the first-ever Doug Sahm biography entitled -- what else -- Texas Tornado), ­Esta Bueno! revives a couple of Sir Doug staples ("Chicano" and Bobby Charles' "Tennessee Blues"), and also several unreleased performances from the other departed Tornado, Freddy Fender -- a whopping five, including a handful of new songs, their presence giving ­Esta Bueno! an even stronger feel of a classic Texas Tornados album. And that's the entire intent of ­Esta Bueno!: this is designed as a continuation, not a revival, of the band's signature Tex-Mex style, and since Shawn Sahm, Augie Meyers, and Flaco Jimenez are old road dogs, they miss not a step when they fall back into their old groove. Like much roots rock made since the Tornados' 1990 debut, ­Esta Bueno! is a shade too clean in its production -- it could use just a bit of grit in its sound -- but it's hard to complain too much because the spirit of the record is so joyous, it's hard not to smile as it plays. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Live from Austin TX CD music On their early albums, Los Lobos effectively combined their Hispanic roots with rock; on this exotic, percussive and experimental album, which is as much a triumph for co-producer Mitchell Froom as it is for the band, they have created a new, distinctive sound. The brimming mix is complemented by strong lyrics, evocative vocals and memorable melodies. But it is the often eerie, sometimes industrial, rhythm-based production that gives KIKO its unique twist. Accordions, melodicas, organs and guitarrons all contribute to KIKO's mysterious, spellbinding sound. "Kiko And The Lavender Moon" may be the zenith of Los Lobos' career--a children's lyric presented with moody vocals and an incredibly melodic, percussive track. Most of the songs are still roots-influenced. "Saint Behind The Glass" and "Rio De Tenampa" retain the band's Hispanic tradition; "That Train Don't Stop Here" is powered by the blues; "Reva's House" and "Whiskey Trail" rock right out of a country jukebox; and "Peace" could have come out of a Grateful Dead songbook. KIKO blends, bends and reimagines all these styles into one of the most original albums in American rock. Personnel: David Hidalgo (vocals, guitar, banjo, violin, accordion, piano, percussion); Louie Pérez (vocals, guitar, drums, percussion); Cesar Rosas (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Conrad Lozano (guitarron, 5-string bass, fretless bass, background vocals); Steve Berlin (flute, harmonica, melodica, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, piano, organ, synthesizer, percussion); Pete Thomas (drums); Alex Acuña, Victor Bisetti (percussion). Audio Mixer: Tchad Blake. Audio Remasterer: Dave McNair. Liner Note Author: Luis Torres. Recording information: Capitol Studios (12/15/1992); Paul & Mike's Studio (12/15/1992); Sound Factory West Studio (12/15/1992). Photographer: Dennis Keeley. Los Lobos: David Hidalgo (vocals, guitar, banjo, violin, accordion, piano, percussion); Cesar Rosas (vocals, guitar); Louie Perez (vocals, drums, guitar, percussion); Conrad R. Lozano (guitarron, bass); Steve Berlin (flute, harmonica, soprano, tenor & baritone saxophones, piano, organ, melodica, synthesizer, percussion). Additional personnel: Fermin Herrera (Veracruz harp); La Chilapena Brass Band (horns); Mitchell Froom (keyboards); Victor Bisetti (drums, percussion); Pete Thomas, Gary Mallaber (drums); Alex Acuna (percussion).

Live from Austin TX buy CD music 2012 two CD collection containing great early Rock 'n' Roll from the Lone Star State. From steel-laden Western Swing and dusty, downhome C&W, to flat out Rockabilly and proto-Tex Mex Rock, Texas Tornados is a whirlwind of hot tamale talent; high-steppers, hep cats and hipsters all, whose wild waxings helped make the Lone Star state sparkle on Rock'n'Roll's map. Featuring Big Beat pioneers The Crickets and Jape Richardson (aka The Big Bopper) alongside the good time honky tonk of Bill Mack and Bash Hofner, this set samples the diverse delights of local labels Sarg, Starday and D, all of which helped define the regional sound. With contributions from Ronnie Dawson, Jett Powers and Trini Lopez, this nifty fifty also includes gems from Doug Sahm, Thumper Jones and Bennie Hess. Carefully compiled in conjunction with the Wild Wax Show's deejay "Jailhouse" John Alexander, Texas Tornados offers an authentic selection sure to appeal to both avid collectors and those just beginning their journey of discovery. Future Noise.