Mexico and Mariachis: Music From and Inspired by Robert Rodriguez's El Mariachi Trilogy

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 27, 2004)
• Original Release Date: August 25, 1995
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Milan Records
• ASIN: B00016XNAW
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,166 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #1 in Music > Latin Music > Regional Mexican > Mariachi
  • #23 in Music > World Music > Mexico

Track Listings

1. Malagueña Salerosa

2. Alacran y Pistolero [#]

3. Severina

4. Flor de Mal

5. Theme from el Mariachi

6. Back to the House That Love Built [Acoustic]

7. Cancion del Mariachi

8. Volver, Volver [Live]

9. Por Mi Camino

10. Just Like Roses

11. Spanish Castle Tango

12. La Pistola y el Corazon

13. Torquay

14. Once Upon a Time in Mexico [Main Titles]

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not Much "Mariachi", But...., December 14, 2004

By 

Kurt Harding "bon vivant" (Boerne TX) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mexico and Mariachis: Music From and Inspired by Robert Rodriguez's El Mariachi Trilogy (Audio CD)

I bought this CD on the strength of my knowledge of some of the musicians hoping to find a sleeper. And I did! The problem for the record company is how to get music stores to put it where it will be found by the "right" people, that is those with an adventurous taste in music who are not afraid to cross over into music sung in a language other than English. Waterloo Records in Austin long ago figured out how to reach that type of listener and so this is a hot seller in Austin. But what about the rest of the US?
It would surely be a mistake to put this in the mariachi section. Not that no one looks for mariachi records, but that strict mariachi aficionados would likely not accept this as representative of the genre. Mexico and Mariachis contains not much "mariachi" at all, but it does offer the listener a splendid array of tunes that range from rock to cumbia, with a few songs in English even thrown in!
I like the whole CD, but my favorites are Chingon's rendition of Malaguena Salerosa, the magnificent ballad Alacran y Pistolero featuring Tito Larriva, the Crusados' Flor de Mal, the Iguanas' excellent cumbia Por Mi Camino, Del Castillo's Spanish Castle Tango, and Los Lobos with the old standard Volver, Volver.
There is truly a lot of great musicianship here. Don't be put off by the title if your idea of mariachi conjures up images of guys who serenade the tables in touristic Mexican restaurants. Its not like that and neither is the music anything like the traditional style of Vicente Fernandez. Think in terms of this music being to mariachi as the nuevo tango of Astor Piazzolla is to the guardia vieja...then crank it up and enjoy!

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars We Mariachi fans are so, so spoiled, February 11, 2004

By 

Maverick41 (Santa Rosa, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mexico and Mariachis: Music From and Inspired by Robert Rodriguez's El Mariachi Trilogy (Audio CD)

Learning that this album existed was one of the most pleasant suprises of my entire life. "Mexico and Mariachis" is a compilation album of new, unreleased tracks inspired from Robert Rodriguez's phenomenal Mariachi film trilogy. As the liner notes written by Rodriguez confirm, these songs are meant to tie up loose ends and give a clearer perspective on the Mariachi films, and really stresses how important music is to the El Mariachi character. "Cancion Del Mariachi" and "Torquay" are tracks we've heard on other Rodriguez soundtracks, but everything else is all brand new and very appropriate. If you're a Mariachi trilogy fan, buy this for no other reason but to hear "Malaguena Salerosa" and "Alacran Y Pistolero", the complete and previously unheard Mariachi title tracks that are absolutely incredible. Tito Larriva's accoustic "Back to the house that love built" is absolutely fantastic, and the previously unreleased, complete opening credit theme from Once Upon A Time In Mexico is awesome. If you're a fan of the films, or absolutely loved the Desperado soundtrack, do NOT pass this album up. This is an incredible gift from Robert for us Mariachi fans out there.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars captivating, July 10, 2005

By 

software geek (san diego, ca United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Mexico and Mariachis: Music From and Inspired by Robert Rodriguez's El Mariachi Trilogy (Audio CD)

I came across this album after watching Kill Bill V2. The song that starts just prior to the closing credits (and continues through the credits) is Malagueña Salerosa and I just had to know more about this song. As a result, I discovered this CD. As it turns out, Robert Rodriguez did the score for Kill Bill V2 and I subsequently have come to discover what a creative talent this man is. I heartily recommend the book "Rebel without a Crew," which I recently read. It is Robert's story behind making El Mariachi (I have also posted a review of that book).

Anyway, the CD is fabulous. I don't know Mariachi music all that well, but this seems to me to be more a fusion of Mariachi with some rock flavors. I have played this CD many many times in succession and there are some absolute gems in here.

When I ordered this from Amazon, I was unaware a DVD bonus was included with the CD. This has some nice live footage and an "interview" with Robert. The interview is in quotes because it is basically Robert setting up a camera in his home studio at 4 a.m. and filming himself. What a treat!

I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.