Los Lobos is a band that defies categorisation or expectations. Following on from the huge international success of ‘La Bamba’, rather than replicate the formula and milk the success, the group decided to issue an album celebrating traditional Mexican songs, ‘La Pistola y El Corazon'; always masters of their own direction forward, regardless of trends or easy paths.
Their unique sound embraces and enhances a multitude of musical genres, rock, zydeco, blues, R&B, traditional Mexican and Spanish music, country, folk, Tex-Mex… Have I left any out? Yet the Los Lobos sound is instantly recognizable.
That claim is certainly put to the test on ‘Native Sons’, a tribute album to bands from Los Angeles who have helped shape that sound and are admired by the band. The Blasters, Jackson Browne, The Midnighters, Barrett Strong, War, Beach Boys, Buffalo Springfield… It’s hard to knock any selection especially when they are delivered with such verve and panache.
From the opening blazing sound of The Midnighters’ ‘Love Special Delivery’ to the closing wistful and evocative Chicano soul instrumental classic ‘Where Lovers Go’, this has class written all over it. It’s a stunning mix of genres and a history of the L.A. scene in one.
Jackson Browne’s elegiac ‘Jamaica Say You Will’ begins with soft strummed acoustic guitar, as David Hildalgo and Louie Perez trade verses, while David leads us into that sway inducing chorus:
Jamaica, say you will help me find a way to fill these sails, and we will sail until our waters have run dry.
A superb rendition of a beautiful song.
The pace of the album is in constant flux, with the Browne classic being preceded by the mambo-driven ‘Los Chucos Suaves’, and the terrific sax of Steve Berlin, followed by the cool resonant blues of ‘Never No More’.
The ocean connection is continued on the Beach Boys’ ‘Sail On, Sailor’. The band does wonders to recapture that cool sunny sound of one of the quintessential California groups.
The Buffalo Springfield standard ‘For What It’s Worth’ is coupled with follow-up single ‘Bluebird’ to form a medley. Playing such a classic protest song could be seen as the band’s ongoing activism on the issues surrounding immigrants on the Mexican border – the searing guitar solos of Hidalgo emulating the originals of Steven Stills and Neil Young on the original.
The War song ‘The World Is A Ghetto’ has been covered several times, most notably by George Benson, and a terrific version by Kandace Springs on her wonderful ‘Soul Eyes’ album. Los Lobos gives it a full band workout lasting over eight and a half minutes, and not a second is out of place. The message carries an extra resonance in these pandemic times.
The band, having such a huge choice of quality artists to choose from, could have a box set from the array of amazing acts originating from Los Angeles.
The whole album is united in its theme by the only band original ‘Native Son’, which sits neatly in the middle acting both as a pivot and raison d’etre for the entire collection.
I was a fool to run away and forget where I come from. I think about the day you take me back. I’m your native son.
The track sits neatly among all these classic songs with an ease that showcases the remarkable songwriting of Hidalgo and Perez, and the incredible tightness of this remarkable band.
In two years, the band will celebrate their Golden Anniversary, 50 years, and thankfully they show no signs of abating. With another album of original music and a European Tour mooted, Los Lobos is proving that “the wolf can survive”, and flourish.
There are few better live bands around, and they will have fun playing these songs. Buy the album, and go and enjoy the show.