When I saw the title of the song, I was concerned it was going to be an update of the cheesy, hugely popular song from the 1960s (that I secretly like) but it turned out to be a lovely song by the Mexican indie singer/songwriter Carla Morrison.
A nice rock sound from what they would have called a “super group” back in the 1960s… members of some of Mexico’s top rock bands came together for the project.
Mexican radio station Ibero 90.9 has a series called 6 Tracks, in which guests are asked to name 6 songs that have been important in their lives. This is one of the songs selected by Bernardo Fernández, Bef, illustrator, graphic designer and author (see my review of his wonderful novel Ojos de Lagarto)
Here’s the link to see the rest of the tracks he selected:
http://ibero909.fm/bernardo-bef-fernandez-escritor-e-ilustrador-en6tracks/
A live performance of Mexico’s mega-star performing one of her most popular songs. The song dates from the early 90s, but this performance appears to be about 15 years later. I saw her live at the Universal Amphitheater some time around 2004, and there was the same adulation from the crowd. Notice the entire audience knows every word of the song.
I just read a novel in which two Mexicans are stranded in Montreal, and eat every night at a restaurant called Jalisco No Te Rajes. Turns out it’s a famous song from a famous 1940s movie. I assume this is a clip from that film… A nice scene from the Golden Age of Mexican cinema.
Cartel de Santa is one of Mexico’s top hip-hop groups. The video is framed by clips from then president Felipe Calderón speaking about a violent act attributed to Miguel Angel Treviño, the Zetas cartel leader who was arrested just recently.
They are appearing on August 9 at a Music festival in Monterrey.
I always find Banda music to be a lot of fun. These guys take it a step further with their wild costumes and cute video. If the instrumentation sounds like a German polka band, it’s not a coincidence. That’s what banda music is… only Mexican.
Despite the name, I believe they’re a Mexican group. I couldn’t find a live performance, but this is one of my favorite cumbia songs, so I posted it anyway.
Here’s an old-school singer we can appreciate for her camp value, or her straightforward artistry, depending on our mood. This is probably her most famous song. Translated as Rat With 2 Feet, it’s directed at her ex-husband, and features the nastiest, most vicious lyrics I’ve ever heard… wrapped in a sweetly delivered tune.
The first time I heard this group, it was on the radio as I was pulling into the parking lot at the dry cleaner. I dashed into the store and begged a nice Mexican woman to come out and tell me who was singing.
Ever since then, I have been a huge fan of this Norteño/Tejano (according to Wikipedia) band from northern Mexico. The music is always light and cheerful, and I adore Alicia Villareal’s sweet vocal style. The band broke up a few years ago, when Alicia went on to a solo career… More to come on that subject.
Bruce Critchley's Mexico Here and There 