Been There, Would Do It Again

Okay, I was there. Third row, center, dancing in 90+ degree heat, with everyone else lucky enough to get a ticket. Austin and the Mavericks have a special love affair, with this the band's third appearance in this town in six months (they also played the 2003 Austin City Limits Music Festival a year ago September). The Mavericks made their comeback last year with their self-titled release featuring "I Want to Know" and a local favorite "San Jose", a tribute to a South Austin hotel the band likes to stay at when they are in town.



The Mavericks now include Eddie Perez on guitar, who fits comfortably in the band with his guitar virtuosity and accompanying vocals. The Mavericks-Eddie, Raul Malo, Paul Deakin, and Robert Reynolds-display consummate professionalism which is only surpassed by their down-to-earth humor and presence. The set list covers hits from the beginning of their career together to solo Raul offerings, including the swoonable "Siboney" originally recorded with Los Super Seven. "Every Little Thing About You" was a crowd favorite and the high temperature did not dissuade the hip swaying and singing along that permeated the night. Raul's voice has been compared to Roy Orbison's and it was a marvel to watch him hit the notes up close. The rest of the band was phenomenal too, with Robert and Paul switching instruments for a song or two. The spicy horn section, Jerry Dale McFadden on keys, and Alberto Salas on percussion made for a wonderful, too short night of incredible music. The Mavericks are better than ever and this album was well worth the wait.

Dwight Yoakam + Mariachis + Big Band Sound = The Mavericks

Awesome album; awesome group. An absolute must.

PUTS THE "WESTERN" IN "COUNTRY"

Back in the 1950's and 1960's it used to be called "Country and Western Music". Somewhere around the 1970's or early 1980's, the "western" part was dropped and it was all referred to as "Country Music". As convenient as this is, unfortunately many forget the "Western" part. By this I don't mean just the "cowboy" songs we associate with the movies, but also the "western swing" of Bob Wills and The Texas Playboys and the Mexican influences found in the American Southwest. You can't get much more "traditional Country" than George Strait; yet Strait himself is very much a product of the Texas music heritage with clear references to the above mentioned Bob Wills as well as Marty Robbins.



The Mavericks have enjoyed great popular success while at the same time standing just a little outside the normal confines of Country music. For many of us, the Mavericks begin and end with "What A Crying Shame"; but in reality the Mavericks have traveled a pretty wide range in musical styles. This CD records a particularly hot night in Austin backed by a horn section that brings to the fore the band's Tex/Mex flavor and excitement.



Unfortunately, this is not everyone's cup of tea. In a time when a Brooklyn boy can don a cowboy hat and be just as much a part of country music as one who grew up in Tennessee, some will not tolerate anything west of the Mississippi as "authentic". All's the shame because this CD demonstrates that country music can expand its boundaries and remain fresh without becoming lost in "pop music".



But all the above aside, this CD plays like a Mavericks Greatest Hits "live" during a particularly magical and vibrant night. Well worth the price of admission