Customer Reviews

Watertown

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Playing Time - 38:34 -- The key to a successful album of all-original singer/songwriter music is simply to have something worthwhile to say and to present it with fervent emotion and quality musicianship. Mando Saenz is building quite a following for his unique flair of poetic storytelling. Born in Mexico, this Army doctor's son moved a great deal as a child. The title cut, "Watertown," is a nostalgic story of going back to a place that the family lived with its seagulls and humid air. His dad's plan was to get to Texas when he figured out how, and they eventually did make it to Corpus Christi, TX. Despite earning an MBA at Texas Tech in Lubbock, Mando Saenz decided to follow his muse and to sing about such things as the "insolence of man" (Egg Song) and a heavy heart that "bleeds the soul" and "frees the mind" (Noble Kings). Fortunately, the CD's jacket includes lyrics so we can further ponder Mando's evocative messages and music that largely avoids typical antics and stereotypes.

Despite his eccentricity, Saenz's songs are very engaging and tastefully rendered. Guitars, bass, drums, fiddle, accordion, mandolin, steel, dobro and harmonica complement his emotional vocal delivery. Some songs are arranged with minimal instrumentation while others have a fuller sound provided by Tommy Detamore, Bobby Flores, Dan Dreeben, David Carroll, and Joel Guzman.

For the most part, Mando Saenz's songs are leisurely, soulful and spiritually-tinged. Upon first listen, my favorites were the more up-tempo tunes with more of a bluegrass beat like "Egg Song" and "Engine Roll." With subsequent listens, I found myself focusing even closer on the lyrics of Mando's slower songs like "Julia" and "Rusty Steeple." "Watertown" has a distinctive folksy feeling, and this helps it to build a good rapport with its audience. It's delightfully new Texas music that is exhilarating and authentic. I commend Mando Saenz for trading his MBA for a guitar, harmonica and music career. I wish him luck in a tough business, and I hope to see him on Austin City Limits soon. (Joe Ross, Roseburg OR.)

I was drawn tho this artist by the genre I perceived -- "alt country." I enjoy Lucinda Williams, Whiskeytown, the Gourds. Mando has all the deep emotions of a Lucinda Williams, but generally a much subtler way of expression. As such, the songs don't instantly bowl you over like Williams' "Metal Firecracker" but instead their understated warmth seeps in. I found myself humming these tunes the rest of the day after a few listens. There is a touch (just a touch!) of Lyle Lovett in his vocal style; he has a world-weary voice for such a young fellow. If I had to come up with some analogy to describe him for you, I'd say he is the male equivalent of Laura Cantrell - uncluttered musicality. It's not country, it's not folk, exactly; it's American Music.

Sometimes one has just got to give things a chance.i had met him and wouldn't have thought him a songwriter really. Very self-effacing fellow really, but lots of fun. Then, during SXSW in austin, I heard him sing. The pure emotive quality of his voice caught me first. Then i heard the songs for what they were. Yes, he is quite a story teller- heck of a way with words actually.

After another trip to see him, I walked away hooked. i can't quite pull up what it is, but something about the words and he music just sticks with me. Maybe it's the poet in me that hears the one in him. I just know I can't seem to get certain phrases from this CD out of my head, so I play it over and over.
it will have to suffice too, 'cos I think the fellow can go somewhere with this. Take a listen, and be prepared to be swept up in it. It can haunt your dreams.

this cd has been a pleasure to listen to. my husband called mando a "dylan wannabe" but i've really enjoyed it.

I saw this guy touring with Reckless Kelly in Birmingham, AL. I enjoyed him more than RK. I am a big RK fan. I bought his album there, like I have done a dozen times before, to no avail. Thank god, it was actually good. Now I wish I would have gotten there sooner. He sounded great. Very understated, but great sound. Now that I listened to his album, I really want to see him again. It will take a few albums to get him going, but I think he will get there. He is a huge talent. I hope he does not go the Lyle Lovette route as he is better than that (though he does a great impersonation). If he continues to do what he should he will be successful in his own right. High marks!

A friend turned me onto this guy...told me I really needed to give him a listen. My friend heard about Saenz from another mutual friend of ours who has been a country rock steel guitar and guitar player for 30 years now. Well Mando (pronounced Mondo) reminded me instantly of Craig Fuller, lead singer on the original old Pure Prairie League albums. The vocals and instrumentation on this very-easy-to-listen-to CD are excellent! Plus you can get it for an extremely reasonable price via Amazon/CD Now. If you're into the old, traditional style country rock (whick has been sorely lacking for years), then you need to check this one out.

Song List 1. April's End 2. Julia 3. Watertown 4. When I Come Around 5. Egg Song 6. Rusty Steeple 7. All I Own 8. Noble King 9. Engine Roll 10. Yonder Voices 11. Reprise Album Credits Tommy Detamore, Engineer John Egan, Producer Album Notes