Customer Reviews

Culture Swing

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My purchase of this CD coincided with the days that my love affair with the Lone Star State began. It remains my favorite of Hinajosa's, one of the world's finest female vocalists; and it still conjures up memories of mariachi bands, the rodeo, and a wide starlit night sky. Although her songwriting and delivery may have shown more polish in later works such as "From Taos to Tennessee" and 2002's "Sign of Truth", I think this work conveys Hinajosa's Latina roots and love for the Texan way of life much better, and showcases her voice in a simpler way, but more effectively.

The first time I heard "By the Rio Grande", I was blown away: Hinajosa sings with the strength and range of a Linda Ronstadt or Joan Baez (her heroine), but with the fragile beauty reminiscent of an Alison Krauss or Stevie Nicks. (Actually, many of these songs remind me of Krauss's first recordings with Rounder, when she wasn't afraid to belt out her own bluegrass material).

Not that Hinajosa doesn't put her own distinct stamp on these songs. It's just that if you haven't had the pleasure of hearing her yet, her talent defies easy description.

"Culture Swing" carries a good ratio of Hinajosa originals to others. Her own songs focus frequently on treasuring that which we disregard: the land, those who work the land, loves gone by, our culture as we assimilate into a larger group culture. Delightfully, she "answers" Bob Willis' classic "San Antonio Rose", in which a broken-hearted cowboy wonders where his Rose has wandered off to. Tish speculates that there might be some very good reasons for Rose to walk away in "San Antonio Romeo", her own Western swing ballad.

To echo "The Real West", listening to this CD can evoke a clean white shirt on a Saturday night, a long cold beer, a spin on the dance floor, and Hinajosa at the microphone with songs of pure Tex-Mex gold. If you can't see Hinajosa in person (and I suggest you do if you get a chance; she shines live), this CD will give you a good dose of her special recipe for Latin flavored Texas folk.

I heard an interview of Tish and some of this CD on NPR and had to have it. It is at once, soulful, sensual, playful, passioniate and moving. Tish's voice is like the water of rippling brook, at once moving and calming. The instruments never detract but add to her voice and story. You can see and feel everything Tish sings of.
I have been known to put this CD on and leave it on for a week and never tire of it.
"Every Word" is so beautiful and moving...it is the love song that always makes me thing of "her". This one song alone is worth the price of the CD and all of her songs are this good.
I can't begin to say enough of her music.

I feel that this is Tish's best work. "Something in the Rain" always makes this big ol' country boy tear up.

I first heard Tish Hinojosa on [...], and was immediately taken by her. If you enjoy Emmylou Harris, you'll love Tish's music. Tish is a talented songwriter with a strong voice. Her Mexican heritage allows her to use the Spanish language in some of her tunes and is just wonderful to listen to. I have played the CD over and over, and I've noticed my husband has the CD in his pickup CD player now. "By the Rio Grande" and "San Antonio Rodeo" are my favorite uplifting tunes! The story told in "Something in the Rain" is touching and told from the heart.
I've already purchased Homeland, as well, and am just as satisfied.

I heard " Something in the Rain" on DMX radio and had to buy the album. Being from New Mexico, I fell in love with her lyrics. Later I realized just how many albums she has out, which I own most of them now. She sings wonderfully, and her band is incredible. Check out "Every Word" and see just how strong her voice is. A very talented, versatile artist.

Whenever my collection of monolingual singer/songwriters begins to sound tired, I count on this album for relief. Anyone adventurous enough to invite this bilingual folkie over to the house will be richly rewarded. Tish has a strong alto voice and a keen eye for detail (listen for the way she describes cowboys "In the Real West"). My only gripe with "Culture Swing" is that it doesn't sustain any one mood. You can dance, snuggle, or sing to the songs on this album. As if that weren't enough, "Something in the Rain," its portrait of lost innocence, will make you think twice about cropdusting, agribusiness, and the whole notion of better living through chemistry. The album draws indiscriminately from pop, folk, and country traditions, but that's okay. Tish knows her way around the Rio Grande, and shares its secrets with the rest of us. Her rhythm guitar is solid, her backing band is good, and her voice is to die for. When you want to know what the American Southwest sounds like, start with this album and then listen to its road-weary soulmate, "At My Window," by Townes Van Zandt. Afterward, if you want more songs in Spanish, get Linda Ronstadt's "Canciones De Mi Padre," or buy more Tish Hinojosa!