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Christ the King Fall Fest: Valeria, Lil Demi, Jennifer, Megan
Liberacion reunites Virgil Canales and Juan Tavares
Tortilla Factory: on the comeback trail PT II
(Second half of story interwiew)
By RAMON HERNANDEZ
(Guest blogger)
Charro, now 70, shines on "Las Cuidades" and "La Enorme Distancia," two José Alfredo Jiménez ranchera tunes.
"Instead of stagnating ourselves in the 1970s the rest of the CD sounds like 2010 and this new 13-piece tight-as-a-fist band is not a reincarnation, but a musical resurgence - that's why we titled this album 'Tortilla Factory and All That Jazz' and wait until you hear Alfredo sing."
The 6-foot-1-inch handsome vocalist, who most women view as eye candy, is the new face of Tortilla Factory.
"Alfredo, together with Randy Caballero at the controls, took Juan Gabriel's 'Hasta Que Te Conoci' and revamped it into a beautiful ballad. I didn't think his forte would be crooning because he is a salsa singer, but he is really good on this romantic tune," Ham said of his son.
"Randy (a former keyboard player with Xelencia and now a recording engineer) not only lives and understands music, but he's also a great musician, a hip guy and is well versed in all concepts of music.
"As for the group, it's categorically the same band, but overall, it has transcended from where it came from since the CD also features rhythm and blues, salsa, Texas Chicano homeland music, American classics and rap," Ham added. "This puts us up on a plateau all by ourselves."
Some of the tracks, in what promises to become a historic album, were recorded in New York with percussionist Luisito Quintero, Rubén Rodríguez, the number one salsa bass player; and Efrain Junito Davila, keyboards; also in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Antonio and Austin.
For Tortilla Factory's history, discography, biography and photos of each band member, go to www.tonyhamguerrero.com and www.myspace.com/202386604.
First Story:
Tortilla Factory: on the comeback trail PT 1
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