Conjunto Bernal (Paulino Bernal) – 16 Early Hits CD 9010

Description

CD 9010

Accordionist/singer Paulino Bernal joined his bajo sexto playing older brother Eloy in 1952 to launch the career of Los Hermanitos Bernal soon known as Conjunto Bernal. They quickly became famous throughout south Texas as the best most innovative and modern “conjunto”. In 1958 they recorded “MI UNICO CAMINO” (on Arhoolie CD 9060 and heard as the opening song in the superb John Sayles film “Lone Star”) which became a huge hit and their trademark song. This disc features 16 selections from the early career of Conjunto Bernal (1954 – 1960).

1. Voy Perdiendo
2. La Ultima Palabra
3. Pensamiento – (Bolero)
4. La Margarina – (Polka)
5. Dios De Mi Vida
6. Castigame – (Bolero)
7. Melinda – (Polka)
8. Si Quieres Volver
9. Las Texanitas
10. La Coneja – (Polka)
11. Por La Misma Senda – (Bolero)
12. La Turicata – (Polka)
13. Para Que Quiero Un Amor
14. Quiereme Un Poquito
15. Cosquillitas – (Polka)
16. Veinte Anos

REVIEW

“Paulino and Eloy Bernal both possessed marvelous voices and like so many musical siblings were capable of the most sublime vocal harmony to be heard from any Tex-Mex conjunto. There are plenty of glorious examples of that here together with ample evidence of Paulino’s special talent on the accordeon such as his polka Melinda with its unexpected melodic turns. The bolero Por La Misma Senda is a masterpiece of accordeon precision and vocal delicacy various ballads allow the harmonies full rein and as a bonus Carmen Marroquín duets divinely with Paulino on two tracks. Superb.”

(Brian Peters — Folk Roots)