Corridos de la Frontera

by Los Pingueinos del Norte

Overview

Los Pinguinos del Norte played and plays a style of music commonly (or at least once commonly) heard by the working-class poor -- at several pesos per song -- in Mexican cantinas. Corridos de la Frontera was mostly recorded by Chris Strachwitz of Arhoolie in 1970, and features accordionist-vocalist Ruben Castillo Juarez, guitarist-vocalist Hilario Gaytan Moreno, and bassist Ricardo Escalante. The "corridos" tell heroic folk stories about men, according to Rumel Fuetes, "who are liberal, individualistic, arrogant, and who have no fear of death." "Benjamin Argumedo" recalls the capture of the revolutionary hero of the same name, and how, when presented to General Murguia, he asks to be shot in front of "all the people." Although his request is not granted, he has made his point: he's a real man and not afraid to die. Simple arrangements adorn each of these songs, with accordion, guitar, and bass providing a waltz-like backdrop for the intertwining voices of Juarez and Moreno. Some of the stories, like "Luz Arcos," are filled with violent shootings, reminding one of an old Western. The easy cadence of the accordion, however, keeps these happenings from seeming too heavy or depressing. Indeed, it's not unlike listening to a Mexican version of "Tom Dooley" or "Pretty Boy Floyd." This is a collection both rich in history and -- for those who can't make it to a Mexican cantina -- enjoyable to listen to. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.

Product Details

Release Date:	09/06/2005
Label:	Arhoolie
UPC:	0096297905128
Rank:	111914

Tracks

1. El Desesperado (The Desperate Man)
2. Gregorio Cort¿¿z
3. Benjam¿¿n Argumedo
4. Yo Soy Norte¿¿o (I'm a Northerner)
5. Jacinto Trevino
6. El Contrabando de El Paso (Contraband from El Paso)
7. Los Dos Hermanos (Two Brothers)
8. Mexico Americano (Mexican-American)
9. Luz Arcos
10. El Contrabandista (The Smuggler)
11. Corrido de Pablo Varela (The Ballad of Pablo Varela)
12. Un Chavo de la Paloma (One of the Guys in the Gang)
13. Carga Blanca (White Cargo)
14. Los Tequileros (The Tequila Smugglers)

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Los Pingueinos del Norte   Primary Artist
Hilario Gaytan Moreno   Guitar,Vocals
Ricardo Escalante   Bass,Vocals
Rumel Fuentes   Gritos,Vocals
Ruben Castillo Juarez   Vocals,Accordion

Technical Credits

Mike McClellan   Engineer
Dar Beida 04   Composer
Prof. James Nicolopulos   Transcription,Translation
Manuel C. Valdez   Composer
Chris Strachwitz   Engineer,Producer,Liner Notes,Photography
Rumel Fuentes   Composer,Producer
Morgan K. Dodge   Graphic Design
Salome Gutierrez   Assistant