Customer Reviews

Sinners & Saints

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4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
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Raul Malo has a voice that is unmatched in the music industry today. Each album he makes, post-Mavericks, we get a little better glimpse into his versatility and talent. His new album,Sinners and Saints, is no exception... his rich vocals are peppered with vintage guitar, Vox organ, and tasteful accordian throughout. From the jangly guitar and haunting trumpet sounds of the title track, to his poignant take on the old Spanish standard Sombras, with the danceable party of San Antonio Baby in between, this album proves that Raul Malo only gets better and better with each endeavor.

I have been listening to this cd almost non stop since I received it and it is stunning. At first, so many subjects are covered; faith or the lack thereof, social responsibility, tolerance,...passions that lead to the unthinkable ("Sombras")...that the album seems overwhelming. But as one listens, one sees a thread running through the varied themes. Life...We pray even when we doubt, we love what we shouldn't, we stay and live up to our responsibilities even when we don't feel appreciated or understood...Every song on this cd is like a film or novel in 6:10 minutes or less.

Raul's voice and musicianship is extraordinary and in full bloom in this cd. His voice seems purposely more reserved than usual. Perhaps to allow the listener to move beyond awe of his amazing range and listen to the lyrics and nuances of the melodies and performances.

"Staying Here" is a standout for me. Poignant, touching...I think it must speak to so many people out there.
"San Antonio Baby" has hit written all over it! "Matter Much To You" and "Living For Today" beautiful, timely observations on the world today.

Love this cd. My favorite Raul Malo cd has been "Today" since it was first released back in 2001...all his other cd's have been excellent...but this one is maybe...it's tied with "Today"!

After spending the better part of the last decade edging away from the sounds of the Mavericks, Malo began to find his way back from cover songs and supper club countrypolitan with last year's genre-bending Lucky One. Here he takes an even more personal step, producing himself in a home studio and finishing off the tracks in Ray Benson's Austin-based Bismeaux Studios. Malo reconnects with the upbeat Tex-Mex (or really, Cuban-Country) and gripping balladry that made his earlier work so arresting; the relaxed tempos and too-neat productions that failed to spark After Hours are counted off here with verve, and the arrangements are given soulful edges that match Malo's deeply emotional vocals.

The balance weighs making music from the heart over production perfection, as evident on a cover of Rodney Crowell's "'Til I Gain Control Again." Sung in a complete take, Malo aptly describes the recording as "not perfect, but the emotion is there." If it's not technically perfect, Malo's probably the only one who could point out the problems, and singing with the dynamism Waylon Jennings brought to his earlier cover, it's hard to imagine the words being put across any better. Just as effective is the Spanish-language "Sombras," with Malo pledging no less than his life to prove his love, and the drowsy "Matter Much to You" builds tension by hesitating to make the operatic Roy Orbison leap you might expect.

Cuban roots open the album with a lonely trumpet that beckons a bullfighter into the ring, but before the toreador appears, Malo's organ and guitar add surf twang and spaghetti western mystery. Augie Meyers' classic Vox Continental appears on several tracks, adding the texture and tone of the Sir Douglas Quintet and Texas Tornados; the latter guest on "Superstar," with Michael Guerra's accordion casting a truly incredible spell. The rock `n' soul of "Living For Today" suggests Delaney and Bonnie, but with the seeds sewn in the Nixon era watered by decades of American imperialism the lyrics have sprouted into mortal fatalism and the politically charged feeling that "we tried givin' peace a chance / the only thing that's wrong with that / we been at war since I was born."

The original "Staying Here" sounds like something Elvis might have cut on his triumphant late-60s return to recording in Memphis. Malo plays everything on this track but the lead organ, but you'd be hard-pressed to know this was a one-man overdubbing band if you didn't look at the credits - he's that good at drums, bass, guitar, Mellotron and even tambourine; his voice is so fetching that it's easy to forget his talents as an instrumentalist. Malo's new songs are complemented by a cover of Los Lobos' "Saint Behind the Glass," further demonstrating that the contained form of his previous lounge material may have been an interesting singer's exercise, but the expansive soul of these performances is the greater listener's joy. [©2010 hyperbolium dot com]

I am prefacing this review with the notation that if you are reading this, you are quite likely aware that Raul Malo possesses one of the most phenomenal voices in music. Internationally acclaimed for his amazing vocal talent, it is simply not possible to overpraise Malo's singing ability. Likewise, as a song-writer, guitarist and musician, Malo is one of the finest performers in the world today.

With Sinners & Saints, Raul Malo's latest album, this incomparable musical artist displays a distinctive, focused vision. From the compelling, triumphant opening to the title song - a memorable trumpet solo that soars--through the contemplative, thought-provoking finale on this album, Saint Behind the Glass, Malo's music is a remarkable range of compositions that reaches new heights in showcasing this unparalleled singer's unique style.

Standouts on this album, in addition to the title song, Sinners and Saints, include San Antonio Baby, a lively, rousing, delightful Tex-Mex rendition in the style that Malo made synonymous with his country-rock band of the 1990's, The Mavericks. His cover of Rodney Crowell's classic, Til I Gain Control Again, sets a new standard for this classic.

Malo's previous albums as a solo artist, particularly Hello Again and Lucky One, are fitting preambles to this CD. Song-writers and artists such as Raul Malo and Garth Brooks understand that an album, in the traditional and ideal sense is a `place in time' for an artist. The songs chosen and written for an album, artistically, show where the performer is creatively at a particular point in their careers. This school of thought is one of the reasons why it took so long for The Beatles albums to be available on iTunes--why their rights were held out for so long before acquiescing to public demand. Once songs are `chopped away' from an album something intangible is lost. In today's music market it becomes more and more difficult hold out from the demand for instant gratification, in this case downloading a single song, but there is certainly something to be said for this school of thought.

It is difficult to describe Malo without drawing comparisons to the other great artists and performers. One strives for a way to convey an appreciation of Raul's talent and simply runs out of superlatives to try and express the range and ability of this extraordinarily gifted man. He truly does have the superb versatility and vocal ability to rival a Roy Orbison and the musical guitar talent and songwriting ability to place him on the same level as icons such as John Lennon/Paul McCartney. For all of the admiration and adoring adulation he receives, a large part of Malo's immense personal charm is that he does not let this all `go to his head.' Indeed, he is one of the most gracious, humble, considerate, and down-to-earth men you would ever want to meet. Truly spectacular talent needs no ego to affirm its existence.

For this particular album, it becomes clear that there is no `right' or `wrong' aspect in the lyrics of the range of songs on this CD. Sinners & Saints focuses more on humanity--the human foibles, emotions, uncertainties and frailties we have all experienced at some time in our lives--and the ultimate triumph perhaps is the tenacity and triumph of spirit.

Looked forward to this CD coming out after meeting Raul and hearing him sing a few tracks on tour in 2010. No disappointment here! A mix of Latin and Swing Rhythms, Spanish Ballad, and a profound cover of Till I Gain Control Again. Expected it to be similar and a follow-up to The Lucky One, but it is distinctly different. The songs are intriguing. Matter Much to You should be words we all choose to live by! My only criticism is that Raul's EXCEPTIONAL vocals aren't showcased as well by the arrangements as they are on some of his previous CD's. The arrangements or maybe the recording mix detract just a wee bit from his magnificent voice quality.

Great music! Just saw Raul Malo live for the second time. If you get the chance to see him - GO! He is amazing & the show was great. The music on this cd is a fun mix.

I heard a piece about Raul Malo on NPR and loved the one song. After listening to the whole album I love every single song on it and am going to buy more CDs of his.

Once again, a vocal treasure from Raul Malo. These are all great songs and he sounds just wonderful. I am very pleased with this newest album.

I totally enjoy this album. This, combined with supporting concert in Saint Louis, solidified my opinion that Raul is one of the most talented singers and entertainers out there today. Simply fantastic vocals and music. A must have for any Raul Malo fan!

This man can do no wrong! Buy! Play! Be Amazed! Raul hooked me as a Maverick and continues to set the hook as a solo artist. His love songs melt me and his personal songs fill my heart with love. I've loved Rodney Crowell's and Jimmy Fortune's versions of "Til I Gain Control Again" but Raul's jazzed up version is so different I love it all over again.

People in my apartment complex hear his music playing and stop to ask who has that amazing voice. I've created a new fan base here and now hear his music in other apartments.