Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass - The Lonely Bull
 | Why the TJB? Well, two reasons, the release of the Herb Alpert tribute "Surfin' Senorita," and the number of TJB tunes that ended up as a part of surf band sets, both in the days when the TJB was concurrent with the original surf bands, and today as well. This 1962 album launched the A&M label and the long reign of the TJB. Performers as diverse as Dick Dale, Bob Moore, Eddie and the Showmen, the Dream Syndicate, and the Hollywood Persuaders covered these guys. TJB had many Billboard hits. So, check out the inspiration for all that music you love. Here's the Tijuana Brass. |
Picks: The Lonely Bull, El Lobo, Tijuana Sauerkraut, Desafinado, Mexico, Never On Sunday, Struttin' With Maria, Let It Be Me, Acapulco 1922, Limbo Rock, Crawfish, Lagrima Quieta
Track by Track Review
Mariachi (Instrumental)
This highly recognizable and infectious number defined the Tijuana Brass. It is an arrangement of a song occasionally called "Lonely Boy" written by Sol Lake. Its mariachi horns, rich guitar, and bullfight sounds were a brilliant move for their day. It's been covered to death, but you just have to come back to the original.
Mariachi (Instrumental)
This slow and perfectly mariachi romance piece reminds me of the boys playing 'round the table at Tampico Grande. It's just an honest Mexican tune.
Tijuana Sauerkraut Mariachi (Instrumental)
Strain a German polka through a mariachi street fair and you get this... odd, but not very interesting.
Desafinado Mariachi (Instrumental)
South American rhythms and tepid playing... a step down from the famous Herb Alpert tracks.
Mariachi (Instrumental)
Covered so well by Bob Moore, surfed up by Dick Dale and his Del-tones, and morphed into "Border Town" by Eddie and the Showmen, this is a much more traditional rendering. It's also not as cool as Bob Moore's because of the lack of energy, but it is so picture perfect sleepy village sounding. Dig the dynamics - no compression here.
Never On Sunday Mariachi (Instrumental)
Sappy movie theme fair. This familiar film score just doesn't cut it. No feeling at all.
Mariachi (Instrumental)
Happy trad Mariachi sounds and a great melody line, with cool drums and spiffy guitar work.
Let It Be Me Mariachi (Instrumental)
Jeepers, this is just too syrupy for words.
Acapulco 1922 Mariachi (Instrumental)
Oh man, the wood blocks and the slushy delivery... can't stand the sweetness.
Limbo Rock Mariachi (Instrumental)
The Champs made this a hit. TJB erase any sense of power and replace it with milk toast. Next...
Crawfish Mariachi (Instrumental)
Jazzy marimba fluff with an excellent melody and a really sappy horn. I can't decide if this wreaks or rules the trash heap.
Mariachi (Instrumental)
"Lagrima Quieta" is a slow dirgie mariachi number with quite a bit of charm. The fifties prom piano is a bit much, as is the female voice, but otherwise it's actually quite pretty.