Santiago Jimenez Jr. – El Mero Mero De San Antonio / Arhoolie CD-317

Description

CD 317

Santiago Jimenez – accordion & vocals with Juan García – bajo sexto and Juan Viesca – bass.

The best of ARH LPs 3016 3020 + 6 previously unissued tracks.

1. Ester De Mi Amor
2. Los Barrandales Del Puente
3. Pa’ Que Andas Diciendo
4. Chipina
5. Morena Morenita
6. California Polka
7. Flor De Dalia
8. Porque Eres Mujer Casada
9. El Alacran
10. Por Quien Me Dejas
11. Tejano Huapango
12. Los Huajolotes
13. Cada Vez Que Cae La Tarde
14. Negra Ausencia
15. Rosa De San Antonio
16. Mercado Del Paso
17. El Tono De Mi Rancho
18. Por To Mujer
19. Cumbia Norteña
20. Atotonilco
21. Tienes Que Pagar
22. Viva Seguin

REVIEWS

“For listeners who like their conjunto (aka Norteño aka Tex-Mex) music straight Arhoolie has released a new CD compilation of polkas rancheras cumbias and waltzes by Flaco’s brother Santiago Jr.

Not only is the collection superb cantina dancing music but this more traditional slant on Tex-Mex is perfect for Sunday morning listening (more spirit and rapture than a Brandenburg concerto). Even the slow waltzes especially the tango-tinted `Negra Ausencia’ are infused with joy. Santiago expressively soars on his accordion on the rancheras and flies through percussive frills on the cumbias and huapangos.

Band members are top-notch: Juan Viesca thumps the strong bass lines on his string bass while Juan García drives the uptempo pieces into a stampede with his galloping strums played on the bajo sexto (a heavy 12-string guitar). But the best of the batch are the five polkas that are so festive and fast it’s near impossible to not get swept up in the ecstasy.”

(Dan Ouellette — Downbeat)

“The numerous instrumentals traditional and original give Santiago ample opportunity to explore the length and breadth of the keyboard and show that he has no need to be overshadowed by his illustrious family when it comes to accordion technique.”

(Brian Peters — Folk Roots)