Raul “El Ruco” Martinez – Dueto Alegre CD 9029

Description

CD 9029

Raul “El Ruco” Martínez and his Dueto Alegre were among the pioneers of the accordion-based norteño sound. A nephew of the legendary Father of the Norteño Conjunto Narciso Martínez El Ruco had been taught by his father Santos Martínez at age five to play the accordion two years after Santos had gotten Narciso started. These tracks recorded for IDEAL and Falcon Records in the 1950’s exemplify the excitement and emotion of these early years of Tejano music.

1. La Chamagosa (Cancion) (vocal by Raul & José Vela)
2. Muchacha Enamorada (Polka instrumental)
3. De Que Te Sirvio (Cancion) (vocal by Raul & José Vela)
4. Abran Brecha (Polka instrumental)
5. Vuelve La Paloma (Cancion) (vocal by Raul & Juan Gonzalez)
6. Leandro Y Garcia (Corrido) (vocal by Raul & Juan Gonzalez)
7. Me Queda Tu Recuerdo (Vals instrumental)
8. Adios Palomita (Cancion) (vocal by Raul & Juan Gonzalez)
9. Asi Se Baila En San Antonio (Polka instrumental)
10. Infame Mujer (Ranchera) (vocal by Raul & Juan Gonzalez)
11. Arriba La Paloma! (Polka instrumental) (accordion duet: Raul & Pancho Martínez)
12. La Tragedia De Timoteo (Tragedia) (vocal by Raul & Juan Gonzalez)
13. Saludame Al Pasar (Schottis instrumental)
14. Te Creias Mujer (Cancion) (vocal by Raul & Juan Gonzalez)
15. Bajo El Aguila Doble (Polka instrumental)
16. Ya Ves Que Si (Danzon)
17. Abandonado Y Despreciado (Cancion) (vocal by Raul & Jesús Maya)
18. Dominga (Vals instrumental)
19. Tendrias Razon (Cancion)
20. Palomita Ingrata (Cancion)
21. Ten Cuidado (Polka instrumental)

REVIEW

“This CD compiles 21 sides recorded by Martinez (often as part of Dueto Alegre with Juan Gonzalez on bajo sexto and vocal) for the Falcon and Ideal labels between 1948 and 1956 making for a good document of one of the lesser-known early conjunto music pioneers. For the record Gonzalez isn’t Martinez’s only vocal duet partner here; Jesus Maya and José Vela sing with Martinez on some sides and Martinez sings some tunes alone. Whoever’s doing the singing it’s good if similar-sounding conjunto the vocal harmony numbers broken up by some instrumental polkas and waltzes. The slower cancions stand out more than the peppier tunes as they bring out the doleful qualities in the Martinez-Gonzalez vocal blend while the instrumental waltz “Me Queda Ti Recuerdo” is a good showcase for the more inventive and varied features of Gonzalez’s bajo sexto work (though he sounds out of tune on another instrumental waltz “Dominga”). All tracks but one were remastered from original 78s and test pressings leading to unavoidable surface noise but it’s never at such a high level that it seriously distracts from the listening experience.”

– Richie Unterberger AllMusic.com