Additional notes
Album Notes: 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.
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.
Album Reviews: 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."
Titles on disc 1
1.: Little Bit Is Better Than Nada
2.: Amor De Mi Vida
3.: In My Mind
4.: 4 Aces
5.: My Cruel Pain
6.: Tell Me
7.: Ta Bueno Compadre (It's Ok Friend)
8.: Gardens
9.: Rosalita
10.: Clinging To You
11.: Mi Morenita
12.: One I Love The Most
Ciao
Listed on Ciao since : 20/06/2005
|
This product has not yet been reviewed. 
22.11.2005
12.04.2006
