Coming up:
Crooked Stilo toplay LA's Knitting Factory in Hollywood
Top Latin producers Valenzuela Twiins joined Ozomatli
By RAMIRO BURR
It's always a risk when a new group tries a new approach but Los Famosos Del Norte accordionist Enrique "Kike" Carvajal says their fans were ready for something new like their debut CD "La Leyenda De Emiliano Carranza, El Más Temido."
"We think the crowds at our shows have been waiting for something new," said Carvajal in a recent interview. "Sometimes music fans get tired of the same old, same old."
So what is Los Famosos new approach?
A CD concept that chronicles the life of Emilio Carranza, a notorious drug runner whose Robin Hood-styled adventures endeared him to many followers. The CD, released on the new label Rize High, features 10 songs, all relate the various chapters in Carranza's life.
Song titles such as "Quien Dijo que es Pecado" and "Llego a Trunfar."
While all-corrido albums are not new, it is indeed tare for a new group to record an entire album around one corridor legend, without the standard 1-2 covers.
The radical approach is beginning to work.
The first single "Quiero Ahogar Mis Penas," has begun climbing regional charts along the Southwest.
According to Carvajal, Carranza was a notable figure who also came from his own Mexican home state, Sonora.
"Carranza was from the small town of Magdalena, and his father was killed by the drug traffickers who killed his father," he said.
The single "Quiero Ahogar Mis Penas," is a typical corrido, moderate-paced and fueled by the steady accordion and bajo sexto tandem. Also adding allure is the vocal harmonies of singers Juan Carlos Alvarez and Leon Vargas. Rounding out the group is Eduardo "Lalo" Torres on drums.
Los Famosos are on the latest groups to emerge in the norteno corridor field. Corridos are storysongs that tell stories of famous heroes and villains, from the Mexican Revolution earlier times to modern-day drug-runners and cartel bosses.
All the songs of what the group calls "Corri-discos," were written by Carvajal and songwriters Byron Brizuela and Cecilia Brizuela.
"We were drawn to this guy because of his life, his 'Scarface'-style rise to power," Carvajal said.
The corridos in the album details Carranza emergence as a major figure both in Mexico and in the United States.
"In the end, Carranza goes back to his hometown and het gets rid of all the drug gangs," Carvajal said.
"What was so satisfying was when we first went to radio stations and they are playing the corridor single," he said. "We were getting calls from listeners saying how they liked the sound and the lyrics. I thought that was a really good sign."
Los Famosos' signature sound is traditional acoustic norteno, folk-based with direct lyrics.
Not surprisingly, the band's major influences include hardcore norteno artists such as Ramon Ayala, Carlos y José, and Cornelio Reyna.
The Los Angeles-based band is currently on a West Coast tour. More details at: www.losfamososdelnorte.com and www.myspace.com/losfamososdelnorte
Related stories, photos:
Kinky: back on the road with new CD 'Barracuda'
Houston's pre-Grammy concert sked updated
Houston's POP Reloaded: series kicks off with Galvan, Gonzalez, Stefani
News/updates: Nataly Pena, Gabriel CD debut, new Fama single
Emilio, Kumbia All Starz, Freddie Martinez among Latin Grammy nominees
Dallas Cowboys MNF pre-game show to include Jay Perez
Jose Jose: asks media to ignore 3 pilfered chapters from forthcoming book
POP 2008: showcasing top stars in downtown Houston
Concerts Calendar: Salgado, Monserrat, Azul
Iglesias/Aventura rock the AT&T Center Saturday
Fama, Flaco Jimenez, Ruco Villarreal music updates
Los Creadorez wrapping up successful tour
Early fall concerts: Iglesias, LuisMi, Grammys
Concerts Calendar 8/19: Gonzalez, Rio Band, Los Galleros
TMNC: The future still potentially bright for Tejano
Mexican pop group RBD is breaking up?
Leave a comment