Customer Reviews

Soul Disguise

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Rosas steps out in front on this CD with great songwriting, hot guitar work and powerful singing. Very much like the early Lobos sound. I pulled this out to play the other day and had forgotten how good it was. Was curious to read the other reviews. If you like the bluesy, rootsy side of Los Lobos, check it out. There's some tex-mex and norteno too, and a nod in the direction of New Orleans, but mostly R&B in the style of "Don't Worry Baby." Lyrically the CD doesn't stray far from the "she done me wrong" blues tradition - I think David Hidalgo may be the stronger lyricist of the two, but it's got plenty of grit.

Fans of Los Lobos' rhythm and blues and rock tracks (Don't Worry Baby, Rosalie) will love this album from start to finish. Rosas' best work since Los Lobos' "How Will The Wolf Survive". Has a unfinished, loose quality to it that listeners will find they either love or hate.

When Soul Disguise came out, I flipped out in sheer delight! Great tunes covering many musical styles! Having a party? Put it on and watch the house start rockin! Every song on the cd is great. Even Cesar Rosas' Soul Disguise concert in Seattle was awesome! I gotta tell you the man plays his heart out. It was great to hear the cd's songs played out loud, rockin' and raunchy. Obviously, the crowd also got off on the musica norteña part of the show. A real jammer, he also mixed it up on a medley featuring Don't Worry Baby and Pipeline! Cesar's coolness was confirmed when he greeted me and others afterwards and signed our cds. His solo effort solidifies him as one of the best singer/songwriter/guitarists of our time. I will see him with his band or with his "carnales" anytime, anywhere. He's keeping real music alive, ese.

First ask yourself: do you like Los Lobos? If the answer is yes, then you will like this album. I like Los Lobos. I even saw them at a small taping for a radio station (WXPN's World Cafe). Cesar's voice carries well in these tunes, and the musical styles are all over the Los Lobos map. Again, if you enjoy Los Lobos, you will enjoy this CD. I never missed "the band" of regulars, and was quite surprised how much of the Los Lobos sound and style comes through in Cesar's disc.

While Los Lobos continue to explore, expand and amaze, Cesar's solo is just a lot of fun. It reminds one of old Lobos, old ZZ Top. It's hard not to crank this one up and dance like nobody is watching. When is the next one coming, Cesar?

It clearly defines Chicano Rock . It is great to see Cesar continuing to make great contributions to the Hispanic music culture. Hearing the blend of Flaco Jimenez and Cesar certainly brings out the best flavor from the streets of East Los Angeles and San Antonio. I sum it up in one word: "CHINGON"

I had to have this album for the single "Little Heaven" (not listed) but what I've gotten in return is a strong CD. Usually if an album has 3 singles that I like, I am happy. This one has 7 of 12.#1 little heaven #2 Angelito #3 struck #4 racing the moon #5 Shack and Shambles (has a rift like another emerging LA band called Ozomatli) #6 Adios mi vida #7 Soul Disguise the title track (as fine as any Lobo track from KIKO or the Neighborhood). The track that the above reviewer says he stubs his toe on does sound kind of Eagles 70's but is that so bad? I still like that song too, I guess that makes it 8 of 12 songs.

I have heard of Los Lobo's, but wished that they turned more toward the blues-rock sound. Well, with Cesar's debut I got my wish. From "You've Got To Lose" to "Soul Disguise", Cesar plays with intensity that is equal to other guitarist's (most notably Jimmie Vaughan), and his singing is along the lines of Billy Gibbons. Believe or not, you will enjoy this impressive debut.

I am a big fan of LOS LOBOS, so when I heard that CEASAR ROSAS had a solo album out, I had to get it to see how he did. I can say that I am extremly happy that I did. SOUL DISGUISE is a brillant album that shows all the different musical influences that have helped make Ceasar that artist he is today. YOUVE GOT TO LOSE is a in your face blues number that just rocks. ANGELITO, and ADIOS MI VIDA are your norteno influenced numbers that feature FLACO JIMENEZ playing his accordian. LITTLE HEAVEN is a great track that starts the album off. Other stand out tracks here are STRUCK, SHACK AND SHAMBLES, BETTER WAY, and SOUL DISGUSIE. On this album we have 12 killer tracks that rock and leave us wondering if there will be another solo album. Of course he is a busy man with LOS LOBOS and his various other side projects. I highly recommend this album for all of you music fans out there. I am hard pressed to find any weak material here.

Cesar really plays his heart out with rich rock and tex-mex sounds, and also included R&B (E. Los Ballad, the best song on here), soul (You've Got to Lose) and rockabilly in his excellent guitar. Rosas is a great player and makes exciting, fun and engaging songs much like Los Lobos' "How Will the Wolf Survive." Strongly recommended to rock fans!