Track Listing

1. Por Un Amor
2. Los Laureles
3. Hay Unos Ojos
4. La Cigarra
5. Tu Solo Tu
6. Y Andale
7. Rogaciano El Huapanguero
8. La Charreada
9. Dos Arbolitos
10. Corrido De Cananea
11. La Barca De Guaymas
12. La Calandria
13. El Sol Que Tu Eres

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3089 in Music
• Released on: 1990-10-25
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com
Topflight pop singer pays tribute to her heritage on this amazing roots ranchera album that also features excellent backing by the world-famous Mariachi Vargas, all under the experienced hand of master arranger-composer-producer Ruben Fuentes. Everything clicks wonderfully here, but numbers that set a new standard include "Tu Solo Tu," an incredibly harmonic love ode; "Por un Amor," on the price of real love; and "Los Laureles," a song of declaration on which Ronstadt soars unbelievably high. These are old Mexican classics, played by arguably the world's best mariachi group and sung by one of North America's greatest vocal talents. Extras include performances by another world figure, requinto player Gilbert Puente, who made trio history when he led Mexico's Los Tres Reyes in the '50s and '60s. In the mariachi-ranchera genre, this CD easily ranks among the very best. --Ramiro Burr

Customer Reviews

Canciones: A musical blend of fiery chiles and bittersweet chocolate.
The Reviewer below was quite right in her comparison of the traditional Mexican folk songs on this great album to mole poblano sauce, a concoction of fiery chiles and bittersweet Mexican chocolate. Linda Ronstadt is a Mexican-American, and her Canciones de Mi Padre ("My Father's Songs") is a bold and colorful blend of Spanish vocals backed by mariachi violins, trumpets, Mexican guitar, vihuela (a high-pitched, five-string guitar), flute, and one guitarrón (a small-scaled acoustic bass). Like the Reviewer below, I listened to this album a lot while I was in college (in Tucson), where I also experienced Ronstadt's live performance of Canciones in its entirety. Mark Canciones as Exhibit B to my argument that we should embrace the Latin culture in our country, rather than building fences at our borders. (Shakira's Dónde Están los Ladrones? is Exhibit A, which is like prescription-quality poblano mole sauce.) The thirteen "world class" canciones (as Rondstadt calls them) included on this Grammy Award-winning album include:

1. Por Un Amor (For A Love) 3:01
2. Los Laureles (The Laurels) 2:29
3. Hay Unos Ojos (There Are Some Eyes) 2:47
4. La Cigarra (The Cicada) 3:49
5. Tu Solo Tu (You Only You) 3:12
6. Y Andale (Get On With It) 2:37
7. Rogaciano El Huapanguero (Rogiciano) 3:05
8. La Charreada (The Charreada) 3:45
9. Dos Arbolitos (Two Little Trees) 2:36
10. Corrido DeCanenea (Ballad of Cananea) 3:27
11. La Barca De Guaymas (The Boat From Guaymas) 3:25
12. La Calandria (The Lark) 3:03
13. El Sol Que Tu Eres (The Sun That You Are) 3:04

G. Merritt

Linda Ronstadt and the Marvelous Mariachi
Linda Ronstadt's "Canciones de mi padre (songs of my father)" is a Mexican masterpiece. Ronstadt brings mariachi classics to burning, passionate life. It's an album perfect for newcomers to world music and aficionados alike. I remember listening to this album over and over again in college in New Mexico. I found Ronstadt's passionate immediacy powerful. She has great emotional range.

Her opening "Por un amor (For a love)" is flamboyant,like a fiesta. "Los Laureles (the laurels)" is a lamentation. "Charreada" is joyous, one can hear the tequila flowing. "Y andale (get on with it)" is lilting and longing. The Ballad of Cananea has depth. "Cigarra (cicada)" is passionate. "Rogaciano" is bittersweet, like Mexican mole.

"Canciones de mi padre" is a definite world music classic. It's perfect for the fiesta... or anytime!

Dios Mio! Linda Sings Amazing Mexican Folk Music
If this CD doesn't make you want to stand up and dance and attempt to sing along, I'm not sure what will. Her voice is just truly amazing and truly brings to life some fantastic Mexican folk music. Como fuerte! The songs are moving and will give you a new found appreciation for the genre.