Lydia Mendoza – La Gloria De Texas / ARH CD-3012

Description

CD 3012

Lydia Mendoza – vocals and 12-string guitar.

Lydia Mendoza the number one pioneer Tejano recording star and the most remarkable and enduring woman performer in the history of recorded Mexican-American music accompanying herself on 12- string guitar recorded in San Antonio Texas in 1979.

(#15-18 previously unissued all others previously released on LP/C-3012).

1. No Es Culpa Mia
2. Mi Problema
3. Mujer Paseada
4. Amor Bonito
5. Collar De Perlas
6. Luis Pulido
7. Aunque Venga Muy Borracho
8. Sin Fe
9. Malaguena Salerosa
10. Ojitos Verdes
11. Besando La Cruz
12. Hace Un Ano
13. Tango Negro
14. Silverio Perez
15. Olvidarte Ja Mas *
16. Zenaida *
17. No Puede Dejar De Quererte *
18. Margarita Margarita *
19. Delgadina
(* = on CD only)

REVIEW

“At various times in a career that’s spanned six decades she’s been known as La Alondra de la Frontera (The Lark of the Border) and La Cancionera de los Pobres (The Poor People’s Songstress) but one night in Houston in the mid-70s an MC divinely inspired introduced her as The Glory of Texas the title by which Lydia Mendoza will now always be remembered. Born in Houston in 1916 and now retired from performing due to ill health she is beyond argument the greatest singer and most popular and enduring star Texas has ever produced .

Since her first session as a 12-year old in 1928 cutting a 78 with her parents and a sister as Cuarteto Carta Blanca Mendoza has recorded well over 1000 songs in a dazzling range of styles accompanied by her guitar orquestas mariachis and conjuntos making it well-nigh impossible to compile a single representative album but this one has a particular charm and purity.

Recorded in 1979 at her daughter’s home in San Antonio on Chris Strachwitz’s classy field recording rig Mendoza warmed up from an afternoon concert accompanies herself on 12-string guitar and sounds like she’s in your own sitting room. The 19 songs include rancheras corridos a tango a bolero Don Santiago Jiménez’ `Margarita Margarita’ a paso doble her own `Amor Bonito’ (Beautiful Love) and a version of one of her biggest hits `Besando La Cruz’ (Kissing The Cross).

The feeling and emotion Mendoza can convey in song are so intense that ignorance of Spanish is simply not a problem her power and passion transcend language. As 1993 draws to a close one can count many good even great Texas albums but only this one is essential.”

(John Conquest — Music City – Texas)