LivinBlues- CD reviews - Los Lobos and Raoul and the Bigtime

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LivinBlues CD Reviews by Gary Tate - Ride with the Big Time! - back to archive

LOS LOBOS: THE RIDE (HOLLYWOOD RECORDS) -When Los Lobos thought of ways to celebrate their 30th anniversary, they opted for an informal recital, with some musical friends invited along for 'The Ride'. After three decades of delivering righteously rootsy delicacies-always touched by equal measures of R&B, Salsa, and Folk--Los Lobos have arrived at a point where the very artists that influenced them (Mavis Staples, Bobby Womack) are now reciprocating by saluting the musical gifts rendered by Hidalgo and Company. It's rather intriguing the commonality between Los Lobos repertoire and great Soul music.

There's 9 new songs on 'The Ride' plus 4 covers of exquisitely soulful sambas from the 'Will The Wolf Survive' and 'By the Light of The Moon' albums. Bobby Womack uses 'Wicked Rain' to segue into his own 'Across 110th Street'. Equally successful is a blessed version of "Someday", handled by Gospel diva legend Mavis Staples. Poignant and uplifting! Little Willie G. emotes with glorious abandon on the rhythmically engaging 'Is This All There Is', but 'Matter of Time' suffers from Elvis Costello's rather limp vocals. Two new Hispanic treats, featuring Café Tacuba and Ruben Blades are muy encantador. A smooth drive is experienced on the 4 new Los Lobos stand-alone tracks. 'Charmed' and 'Hurry Tomorrow' are edgy, guitar-intensive, reverb-drenched Blues Rockers, further ratified by Cesar Rosas' menacing vocals. David Hidalgo creates a masterfully reflective ambience on the Beatle-esque 'Rita'. Dave Alvin (Somewhere In Time) and Richard Thompson (Wreck Of The Carlos Rey) also keep things on course. Aside from a couple of bumps along the way, 'The Ride' is an interesting and fascinating journey. As for the ticket price, it's pretty good value too. - MP3- Someday | Chains of Love | surf www.loslobos.org

RAOUL AND THE BIG TIME: COLD OUTSIDE (INDEPENDENT)
Raoul Bhaneja's latest is certain to enhance his burgeoning reputation. Cold Outside features The Big Time personnel of Darren Gallen, Cheong Liu, Tom Bona, as well as notable 88's from Graham Guest and Kevin Quain. A couple more outings like 'Cold Outside', and Bhaneja will be inviting parallels with Rick Estrin of Little Charlie and the Nightcats fame. Raoul's harp work brims with gusto, while his under-stated vocals are simply fetching. Welcome contributions from special guests Big Joe Maher, Jr. Watson, and harpist Mark Hummel.

There's Walter Horton's 'Easy', but all other tunes are originals including two jumpin' numbers, 'Call Me Crazy' and 'Can't Help It'. 'Kiss Every Dollar Goodbye'--a Blues lament. 'Baby Don't Stop' hails dance floor good times, as Gallen's axe powers a rumba-tinged groove. The title track is the most evocative, the combination of bassist/producer Terry Wilkins' wordless background harmonies and Raoul's wistful vocals and chunky harmonica yielding a memorable back alley Blues. 'That's All I Got'-- featuring harpist Hummel--crackles with more fine tension. 'Come Back' is worth the admission price alone (not merely due to Jr. Watson's brilliance), and 'The Mercy Song' delights with N'awlins-style cheer. MP3- Loving Machine | Easy | raoulandthebigtime.com