Customer Reviews

Mexican Spaghetti Western (Bonus Dvd) (Dig)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I had searched & waited for a Chingon CD since the Kill Bill movies showcased Chingon. I was not disappointed.

To draw a more critical eye... I would have enjoyed more songs like the terrific, UPTEMPO, opener, Se Me Paro.

Overall, the tone of the CD is rather soft & mellow. The amazing guitar(s) working together, however, create a very rich sound. This is definately not a dull CD, and lends itself to multiple playbacks. I've played it alot in the couple weeks I've owned this CD, and I have not habituated to it yet.

Heh, I have no understanding of Spanish, but Malaguena Salerosa is beautiful & perhaps the best song on the CD, Siente Mi Amor is close behind.

Does the CD have filler??? Yeah, but some might enjoy the two duds. The english lyrics of Bajo Sexto (track 7) and last song, intrumental Cuka Rocka (track 11).... Neither belong or seem to fit on this CD. Bajo Sexto is a fine song, but they should have kept it all Spanish. Cuka Rocka is clearly just filler and just does not work as a follow up act to impressive track 10 (Siente Mi Amor)

Someone fluent in Spanish would be a better reviewer... My lack of Spanish gives the vocals, for me, a more abstract expression. Maybe that is why I can listen to the CD so much.

As far as personal bias... I really enjoy great guitar work found in blues and rock from artists as diverse as David Gogo's electric & acoustic work to Satriani, Petrucci, Dave Martone, or working bands like Joe Bonamassa or Albert Cummings.

I'd been looking for a really amazing version of Malaguena Salerosa, then I saw Kill Bill and saw that they'd done an amazing job covering a great classic.
What a great band!

I downloaded this album only a couple days ago, but I can't stop listening to it. When I turn it off I keep hearing it in my head and I have to play it again... I have no idea what they're saying, but it doesn't matter. The melody, the harmony, the rhythm are all perfect. These collections of songs are more than just some people playing notes. All of these songs are performed by musicians that really enjoy playing them, and their emotion and enthusiasm shows. Now I have to go learn Spanish just so I can understand what they're singing about...

Like many others, I heard about this band from the Kill Bill credits. I picked it up expected more like Malagueña Salerosa and got it! The sound this band puts out is, as I describe it, flamenco/rock. Three or four guitars -- electric, classical, acoustic, and bass -- feature prominently in their songs. There is only one English language song on the album with the rest being in Spanish or simply instrumental.

The guitar work is clearly something they're quite proud of, and deservingly. Like many other guitar bands, they often channel harmonizing guitars individually to the left and right channel. I quite enjoy the vocals provided by Alex Ruiz (of Del Castillo). He's got a nice voice and sings both languages quite well.

I have 2 gripes about this album. The first is on the song "Mexican Sausage Link." The trumpet player is too loud and trying to be loud in it. The offending part is only about 1 minute of the song, but that makes it my least favorite song on the album. The second is that the album is too short. Clocking in at a little over 45 minutes, it leaves me wanting a few more tracks before the album rewinds to the beginning again.

In summary, with 10 2/3 of 11 tracks being excellent, outstanding guitar and vocal work, and a fantastic flamenco/rock sound, I highly recommend this album. Here's hoping they make a second album.

The cd is worth buying just for "Fideo del Oeste" and "Malaguena Salerosa," but you also get "Se Me Paro," "Severina," and "Rey de Los Chingones" along with "Mexican Sausage Link," "Siente Mi Amor," and "Cuka Roka." These are all songs I have listened to over and over since buying the album. If you like sad ballads, there are two: "Alacran y Pistolero," and one other. Robert Rodriguez was the guy who scored "Kill Bill" and Chingon performs Fideo and M. Salerosa on the Kill Bill 2 extra features.

One caveat: You'll enjoy it a lot more if you can speak Spanish. If you don't, you can look up the lyrics with Google and then use the Explorer translate feature to know what the songs are about.

This is a fantastic blend of Mexican folk music and American Rock'n'Roll. Buy it now and find out

This CD is a Wow! album. The music is tight and rhythmic. The musicians' love for what they do shows in the gaiety with which they play and sing. Listening to their rendition of "Malaguena Salerosa" is a peak experience.

Just an all around great cd/dvd. I've got the songs on rotation play on my MP3 player. Whenever one of the songs from this cd come on, I always turn up the volume a notch. I hope Robert Rodriquez continues to team up with Del Castillo and make more Chingon music.

Inspired to purchase after watching the movie Kill Bill volume 2. Malaguena Salerosa was played at the end of the movie and as always been a favorite of mine. Great contemporary version of old time favorites.

This is everything you like about the Spaghetti Western sound tracks with a rock beat and present day production values. Not every song rocks hard, but they're all good. Definitely a south of the border flavor. It comes with a short DVD with two live performances. If you like this, get the soundtrack from "Once Upon a Time in Mexico".