An immigrant's musical manifesto: this Chicago-based ensemble is rooted in Mexican 'son' and plays all-original arrangements: traditional and experimental, from true-to-tradition huapangos and son jarocho to new hybrids of rock, classical and folk.

17 MP3 Songs
WORLD: World Traditions, LATIN: Rock en Espanol



Details:
This CD includes twelve original, all-acoustic arrangements (and five connecting interludes with an impressionistic collage of spoken interviews) that range from the traditional to the experimental, including, as its title track, a norteño version of Woodie Guthrieâs classic American folk song, sung mostly in Spanish. A song once inspired by the plight of Great Plains farmers exiled in California during the 1930s Dust Bowl Depression Era, âThis Land Is Your Landâ remains relevant today and speaks to Americaâs national debate over immigration.

This CD includes folk songs from various regions of Mexico played on over 50 authentic Mexican folk instruments meticulously recorded in high-fidelity stereo. The songs include âLa Presumida,â âLa Rabia,â âJarabe Planeco,â âLa Llorona,â âLa Mariposa,â âTabasco Suite,â and âLos Panaderos.â The CD also features âEres Bella Flor,â an original composition by Music Director Víctor Pichardo written in a chilena style from Mexicoâs Southwest, and âYo Vendo Unos Ojos Negros,â a Chilean folk song played to an Afro-Mexican rhythm, a tribute to a historic migration of South American blacks to Mexico in the 1850s.

The ensembleâs experimental forays take them into baroque music with J.S. Bachâs âBrandenburg Concerto No. 3, Second Movement in G-majorâ played with son jarocho instruments and a brass quintet led by CSO trumpet player John Hagstrom. They also venture into the realm of hard rock with a cover of Led Zeppelinâs âFour Sticks,â an unusual piece in 5/8 time that Sones de México Ensemble performs as an energetic Aztec dance.

The CD includes a booklet with song lyrics and a guide to over 50 musical instruments used to make this recording.