Product Description

Simple and beautiful, melodic and provocative -- everything that authentic South Texas conjunto music can be. For over three decades, accordionist and vocalist Mingo Saldivar has been an endearing figure in the world of conjunto music. Here are 45 minutes of pounding percussive rhythms, accordion-fueled melodies, and aching, emotion-packed lyrics. Thirteen selections that showcase the varied repertoire that Tejano conjunto represents, from poignant rancheras to free-wheeling polkas and cumbias.
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Ever since Mingo Saldivar's "Andan Diciendo" became a juke-box favorite throughout South Texas in 1957, the singer-accordionist has been one of the major figures in Tejano music. After 14 albums on such regional labels as Hacienda, Joey, and Espada, I Love My Freedom, I Love My Texas is his first album aimed at the Anglo market. Carl Finch, leader of the interracial Texan band Brave Combo, picked out 13 titles from all phases of Saldivar's career and then produced rerecordings of them, with an all-star band featuring Oscar Tellez, at the modern studios of Joey Records in West San Antonio. It was Saldivar who pioneered the fusion of Tejano conjunto and country music, and this collection includes his bilingual adaptations of the country hits "Marie" and "Ring of Fire," with Saldivar's fluttering button accordion grabbing hold of the bouncy two-step beat that unites the two genres. Even on his arrangements of traditional Mexican tunes, Saldivar injects the plaintive, honky-tonk feel of North American country music--in clear contrast to the bluesier feel of conjunto stars like Estaban Jordan and Flaco Jimenez. There's a lilting lyricism to Saldivar's playing that makes this album a welcome addition to any collection of Tex-Mex music. And anyone who loves Louisiana's Cajun and zydeco accordion will love its Texan counterpart. --Geoffrey Himes, ISBN13: B0000003CS ISBN10: B0000003CS Material Type: audioCD