Bandlands

  March 4, 2006 


 It was last summer in early August and I was in Mexico in the middle of nowhere which was a perfect place to be particularly if finding the hidden treasures of Music seems to be what you do in this lifetime.

 I told you about the great singer Ventura Ramirez.

 As I hung out with Ventura and was gradually introduced to the music scene in the town of Saucillo, Chihuahua in the middle of Summer 1000 miles from either Ocean.. Help! That's not just right, you got to be near an ocean in the summer on 'vacation' {vacation...? hah!}.  

 Los Parrenos featuring... Elias Gvijalva-Blanco

  As I hung out often at the 'Sindicato de Cancioneros y Filarmonicos' I soon got to meet more of the local players. For simplicity's sake I was not looking to find more talent than Ventura I was having trouble enough trying to get a couple of acceptable recordings of Ventura. Among the amigos I met was one Elias Gvijalva-Blanco and all those guys were great but Elias would be there with his accordion at times and ...well I wanted to hear everyone play and I definitely wanted to hear Elias. I became aware that Elias had a band and one day he was there and Luis Gonzales was there with his big Bass and Silvestre Talamantes on accompanying guitar and I set up the DAT and said let's hear it guys and it was time for a little concert we recorded three tunes. All inside the tiny sindicato building as an occasional car or truck rumbled by outside.

 
 Elias has the masters touch say what you will about the accordion bottom line is it is an instrument and to my ears in the hands of a great player it is a divine instrument. 
     Two clips are available...
                     1) La Ultima Vez

                          2) Mi Rancho Grande
 Elias hamming it up.
 'Take it easy Take it easy..'
 he would tell me. 
 There is a story behind that.
There is more to come within the next couple of weeks on Los Parrenos for that was just the trio you heard and the quintet takes Chihuahua style Norteno music too a very high level.

My friends in Saucillo I am far behind in getting the news out to the world and arranging for my return trip to do some higher quality recordings. We need some record sales and to find someone who will help finance the next adventure south of the border and become a financial partner. (Big Opportunity to make a big impact, remember we have a lot of great fans of Mexican and traditional Spanish music on line!)
 You can buy the CD right now! I have copies available ready to ship remember it was a 'field' recording it's your first taste of these great artists. Now I won't stand for any friends or family ordering this CDs unless you really love this music no special favors for Guy. OK. I'll get down there and make at least one more recording let's not worry about it.


   
                            


 
say hey guy@bandlands.com


 
 LAST TIME  BANDLANDS

    NEXT TIME