Los lobos

[Dave Gumbart]

Last night I was in what used to be called a record store, and saw a "Best Of" cd from Los Lobos, called "Wolf Tracks." The cover image has the band holding various instruments, and David Hidalgo is seen prominently holding up an old Gibson A. I suppose someone here could better identify the year and model, but I was more interested in where the mando is found in their songs. I checked their web site, and it only lists Cesar Rosas as playing mandolin. I don't have La Pistola y El Corazon, so maybe that's where it's more prominent.

Anyone else know where the mando is on their tunes? Time to get those cd's back in rotation. And not that anyone's counting, but I sure do think the one-two punch of The Neighborhood followed by Kiko is one of the best "those guys are on fire" album sequences in a long time.

I've been lucky enough to catch a lot of live music over the years, and having the Dirty Dozen Brass Band open for Los Lobos at Todas Place in New Haven, CT a bunch of years ago was a great one...

Cheers.

Dave G

[Gotterdamerung]

Off the top of my head, I can tell you that Caesar Rosas playing mandolin is featured in "Will the Wolf Survive," from the How Will the Wolf Survive? Album. Levon Helm guests on "Emily" from The Neighborhood. I don't recall David Hidalgo's mandolin playing, but the man can play anything. Amazing musicians all.

I agree with your assessments of the albums. Kiko is phenomenal.

[mandolooter]

Get "Del Este de los Angeles" for some of, if not their best, acoustic stuff...a collection of traditional songs recorded way back in the bands beginning when playin weddings and parties were the gigs of the day...there is a little mando content but well worth a listen. Those boys rip it up to the max! My all-time favorite album by far! YMMV http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blues.gif

[Dave Gumbart]

Thanks for the input. I'll be glad to add to my Los Lobos collection, so I will check out the "Del este.." cd. Had looked at the new one at the store the other night, "The Town and The City," but passed on the $20.00 price. $20? I guess I don't need a plastic case and liner notes that bad - time to go the i-tunes route.

Dave G

[mingusb1]

"Colossal Head" and "This Time" are two of my favorite recordings (non-bluegrass or oldtime) in the last 20 years. They play funk better than any of the funk bands!

Z

[mandolooter]

Z...I agree!