Customer Reviews

Del Este De Los Angeles: Just Another From East La

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These guys rock in English or Spanish, this happens to be in Spanish and oh, so good! This is original music released 22 years later, after the success, sounding oh, so sweet. If you check out the info above you'll get the 411 on the story behind the CD. This is roots music of Los Lobos, when they were playing the local market in L.A. I saw this band then, in it's formative years at my Tio's(uncles) party playing in the back yard!! At the time I thought they were so cool as they blended tradional Mexican music in a slightly different manner, expressive of the times, reflecting the ethnic pride that was everywhere in the 70's. Proud music with new interpretations by young Chicanos. I liked them ever since and have seen them perform at various venues in Mexico and the US, much more eclectic and polished now but still one of the best bands of the last 25 years. The songs included here are fun, acoustic numbers that represent family and strong ties to their heritage. The fact that these guys are having a blast recording is evident as they laugh and whistle throughout, never detracting but adding to the flavor. The styles employed are son jarocho, bolero, rancheras and just plain tradional Mexican music, with a twist. The band whoops it up and gets into that tourist favorite "Cielito Lindo", it's a party atmosphere as the chorus is sung by everyone present joining in. The tune really kicks when they transform it into a son Huasteco by David Hidalgo complete with falseto voice and violin. The harmonizing shines throughout the CD and Cesar Rosas's pipes sound magnificent, young and energetic, less mature sounding to the current Lobos sound. The instruments are played with such passion and precision it is hard to believe that at the time these young studs could play so good. They sound like seasoned veterans of Mexican music. A nice treat is the tradional song "Guantanamera" sung by a rarely featured Conrad Lozano who normally plays bass and guitarron. There is no other way to explain it than to say that this happy music, feel good music that makes you want to move your feet or kick back with a refreshing cool one and a big grin on your face. The boys in the band were not much more than that at the time and the black and white photos included are cool, complete with a hardly recognizable Rosas buried underneath long hair and beard. Hidalgo is more recognizable as he is sporting a full beard for what is now just a goatee. Definitely grenudos!! For long time fans this is a gem, orinal recordings to be filed under Chingon. Music for your next family get together, quality music is always fresh. Great musicians endure styles that change as they never go out of style. Los Lobos are forever young.

Since the first time this band knocked me out--way back in 1984 on the Temple University mall--I've been an avid fan. The recordings on "Del Este De Los Angeles" are ones I've long heard about, but never actually heard (except for the two that popped up on the same-named two-disc compilation a few years back). Well, it's been well worth the wait. Not unlike their major-label release entitled "La Pistola y El Corazon," this is a beautiful and energetic collection of traditional Mexican song styles that showcases the band's musicianship, as well as an enthusiasm and sincerity that most of their peers at the time (i.e. American roots and punk groups) could only aspire to. Even if you don't know Los Lobos, it would be hard to hear this and not start bouncing around the house. And if you do know Los Lobos, then know that you must have this disc. I've been saying for that last 16 years or so that Los Lobos is the greatest American band around. Thanks, Hollywood Records for releasing this. May the Wolves survive...viva Los Lobos!

As anyone who has ever seen a Los Lobos concert well knows, the real excitement ignites when the boys put away their electric guitars and pull out their acoustic instruments for a set of smokin' Mexican standards. After years of sitting in the vaults collecting dust at Warner Brothers Studios, Hollywood Records has restored, remixed and remastered the original tapes of the bands debut album project "Just another band from East L.A.". Sought after for years, this album showcases the amazing talent of four young guys playing songs they grew up hearing at typical family fiestas celebrating weddings, birthdays and even funerals. On this project, the boys played directly from the heart and you hear it. This record is in many ways superior to La Pistola y El Corazon because of the sheer integrity behind their performance. The boys were young and impassioned about playing these songs they absolutely love. Cesar Rosas sings lead on all but two of the compositions, delivering a rendition of timeless standards that make any Mexican proud and return home in his mind to the memories of larger than life celebrations of food, drink and music played by mariachi. Tears well just listening to these songs, sometimes from the lyric, often because of the perfection of the performance, always from the memories generated. Los Lobos are hardly Just another band from East L.A.

This is a must have for not only Los Lobos fans but those somewhat interested in their music. This album contains truly classic Mexican traditional songs that I used to hear as a child at family gatherings and continue to hear to this day with much pride and honor ! The guitar/acoustical arrangements are truly flawless and crisp. The rhythms are highly infectious and the melodies will stay with the listener long after the fiesta is over or the cd player stops ! Sabor A Mi is a timeless romantic bolero interpreted over the decades by other Latino artists (Trio Los Panchos come to mind). Here The Lobos do the song much justice with their perfect rendition. Guitars never sounded so awesome ! Yes, the Spanish language is beautiful (even if some listeners don't understand it). It's the music and harmonic vocals tht should captivate (and do) regardless of any language...

This is a great album. Every time I play this I imagine sitting around with good friends and family on a hot summer day, in the backyard or in the garage with the door open, the stereo blasting, the grill going and plenty of cold ones being passed around while everyone is joking, talking, dancing and maybe even letting out an "ay, ay, ay" every once in a while. Nice!

I'm buying another twelve copies of this album to give to my family and friends who are all over the country; then we'll plan a day and time, get our local loved ones together and we'll all listen to it at the same time -a virtual fiesta!

Pass another cold one compadre!

Ok, I'll admit Los Lobos is my favorite band and I love everything they do. My fantasy is to win the lottery and convince them to play at a big party. This album is absolutely fabulous. The joy and passion of these fine musicians comes through on every track. I have listened to it countless times in the 6 days I have had it and I like it even better every time -- a must for every Lobos fan and fan-to-be.

It has been worth the wait! Los Lobos' first album, long out of print, is now available again in a beautfully remastered version with bonus tracks! Even at this early stage, their immpeccable musicianship is obvious. The tracks are classic interpretations of traditional Mexican-American folk songs and dances. For fans of Los Super Seven and Lobos' own La Pistola CD, this is a welcome addition to your library.

The fact that this album was re-released at all proves the Wolves staying power and importance in the pantheon of rock & roll. To understand the influence of Tex-Mex folk music on today's music, you need to pick this CD up and give it a thorough listening. A+

Without a doubt this collection of Los Lobos
songs are fabulous. I have given this CD to family and friends
and their reaction was the same as mine.
If you grew up in or near a Mexican neighborhood this
music will touch your soul!!!

This album consists of all tradional-style songs, which were recorded before the band's rise to fame. Songs showcase the incredible talent of Los Lobos, making what is kinda cheesy music sound really cool. I also recomend "This Time", a little more garage rock influenced, but also with some folk-songs on it.

In 1987 Los Lobos became worldwide known thanks to the title song
of the movie "la Bamba" inspired in the life of the first hispanic
Rock & Roll star Ritchie Valens who had a big hit with it in 1958/59.
It was Ritchie's idea to record a typical Mexican folk song from Veracruz
and launch it on the market against the will of everybody. It would
become one of the most popular songs ever and recorded by hundreds of
different artists in the past fifty years. Los Lobos' version made it to
number 1 for 3 consecutive weeks. Ten years earlier these guys recorded
a number of traditional Mexican songs like La Bamba called "Just another band
from East L.A." whose original tapes have been recuperated in 2000.
What a treasure! Beautiful songs from ranchera to bolero and from
jarocho to a traditional Bolivian and Cuban song. An incredible band
still making great music today as Los Lobos or taking part in projects or groups
like the wonderful Los Super Seven.