Customer Reviews

Texas Tornados - Live From Austin Tx

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

What an enjoyable DVD! The group is in fine form in another wonderful Austin City Limits production. It is a shame such a talented artist as Doug Sahm passed away suddenly at 58 years of age (Sahm died November 18th, 1999). The song list is outstanding in this October 16th, 1990 show. I'm a big fan of the individual members past hit standards (i.e.: "She's About A Mover", "Mendicino", "Before The Next Tear Drop Falls") but found myself truly enjoying "Dinero", "(Hey Baby) Que Paso" and the rockin' "Adios Amigos". If this genre of music is what you enjoy then you will not be disappointed. I was not a fan of this style till I discovered these guys years ago.

Picture Quality: 5 Stars
Audio Quality: 5 Stars
No Bonus Features

p.s. Rolling Stone Magazine reviewed and rated this DVD a 4 out of 5 star in December 2005 (one short of a classic).

If you like Tex-Mex music then this is it...!!! These guys are the best when it comes to that genre. Great songs and a really good performance. Unfortunately Doug has since passed away so this is probably the last live recording released on DVD. (Doug was originally the "Sir Douglass" in the Sir Douglass Quintet of the 60's & 70's). Gone but definitely NOT forgotten. Augie is probably one of the best on the accordian and Freddy is a truly great voice.
Don't miss this DVD..!!....and don't miss their CD's...!!

As Freddy says "The only gringo I know who can play a bajo sexto!" Doug does it all, whether it's taking over Augie's Vox organ or crooning on "She Never Spoke Spanish To Me" Dous Sahm is probably the most influential musician Texas has ever known.

From his west side San Antonio roots the conjunto/norteno influence is pure South Texas Rock, the British Invasion propelled Doug into the limelight with his Sir Douglas Quintet with a side trip to San Francisco psychedelia. Of course Doug's Texas Road House Blues performances at Antone's are historic. But Doug brings it all home with the Tornadoes!!! If you're not familiar with the Tornadoes listen to their title cut from the album "4 Aces", it's all there; the story, the music, and the lives of these unique individual Texans who each brought their cards to the table and made musical magic.

San Antonio is rich in history and culture and this performance on Austin City Limits conveys the magic of the Texas Hill Country. The Hispanic and German and Czech influences, the magic of the Lone Star shines on all these gentlemen and their individual as well as combined talents.

This is a must have for any true Texan!!!

I won't repeat what all of the previous reviewers have stated so well. I received my DVD today and watched it with my dad this evening. He loved it. Now understand that I'm 65 and an old Rock 'N Roll guy, and that my dad is 92. Just goes to show that great music is cross-generational. And although the performance on this disc is almost twenty years old, it is strong and fresh and will survive long past most contemporary flavor of the week stuff. Thank you for your outstanding musicianship, Doug and Freddie, you'll always be remembered. A pity that there were so few albums created.

So far I rated the Mavericks "live from Austin" DVD as the
best live concert ever and I still think it is but oh boy....!
how close have these guys come to that "best ever" classifi-
cation. I never knew the existance of the Texas Tornados as
a group but as individual stars I bought all of their records
since the early 70's (Freddy Fender, Sir Douglas Quintet and
Flaco Jimenez backing up all kinds of stars incl. the Mavericks.
This foursome (two Texas born Mexicans and two "gringos") called
the Texas Tornados is absolutely outstanding. They play all
you can think of: R&R, C&W, Honky Tonk, Blues and above all
the genuine tex-mex music whis is all the above mixed with the
typical Northern Mexican rhythm based upon polka an Austrian waltz
music an heritage from the time the Austrian Maximiliano
was the Emperor of Mexico. A better exponent of tex-mex music
with Freddy and Flaco together is impossible to find and Augie
and Doug do the rest as the genuine Texas music makers.
The song selection couldn't have been better. The hits are all
there: not only the Tornados hits but the individual ones as
well like "Wasted Days and wasted Nights" , Before the next
teardrop falls", "She's about a mover" and "Mendocino". The
guitar solos by Doug and Freddy as well as the organ solos by
Flaco and Augie are spectacular. A real treasure that everyone
should share. A must for all music lovers.

Get this DVD and all their CDs. Amazing group that the record labels didn't "get" but the fans loved.

This much talent on one stage, in one band, is literally mind-boggling...if you like Tex-Mex music, or indeed, rock and roll, you owe it to yourself to get this - it is sheer, nonstop entertainment, from start to finish...also a must for all fans of the great musical maestro, Doug Sahm - he really shines on this, making it a near priceless find for all of his fans...

Another outstanding concert doc from the fine peeps at Austin City Limits and New West records....

This is an outstanding DVD. These guys were so good and they were having so much fun during this performance. I really didn't realize that Freddie Fender was such a competent guitarist. Why didn't I know that? Doug Sahm and Augie Meyers were at the top of their game here (they were always at the top of their game and I suppose Augie still is). Flaco is the greatest. All the other musicians that played on this were fabulous. Derek O'Brien even shows up for a couple of songs. I wish more stuff on DVD by Doug Sahm would come out. He was such a Superkool Kat. Doug seemed irritated at a couple of things going on behind the stage during parts of the show (some screw ups going on back there, which seems rare enough for Austin City Limits) but other than that, Sahm was just really kicking it out during this show. A few times he REALLY opens up on the guitar and even went out in the dancing audience while jamming out bigtime.

There are or were only a few groups worthy of the "super group" tag. The Tornadoes were a true blue super group. Look at the front line of Augie, Doug "the Gringo" Sahm, the awesome Freddy Fender & squeebox ace "Flaco" Jimanez. Then add guys like Louis Ortega still in the current line up on guitar & vcl, the mexican bajo-sexto player behind Augie (name???), the ever dependable Speedy Sparks on bass & if Im not mistaken John Perez on drums from the quintet....talk about a "deep bench"!
This is a live concert or my wife calls it a dance party (true dat)released by Austin City Limits & it is stunning with only slight exceptions. The picture & sound are 1st rate. The material is too & only minimal filler (Baby What You Want or some Jimmy Reed # & 96 Tears is good but better by ? & Mysterians or the Sir Doug Quintet). Any of the songs from the front line up are real fun or just plain tear your heart out & no one could do that better than Freddy Fender. He was the heart & soul of this group along with the great Doug Sahm. I dont see anyone on the horizon to fill thier shoes (uh cowboy boots) any time soon. The new TX Tornadoes are good but they just cant touch this line up.

The Late Freddy Fender & Sir Douglas (Doug Sahm) brillant !

Jens from Germany