Live From Austin TX
Texas Tornados
New West Records
2006
DVD 19 songs
Some forty years ago, a new term was coined in the world of Rock music and the “super-group” came into existence. This term was applied to Bands such as Cream and Supertramp, where several already highly popular artists had come together to form a new band. For some reason, the term never crossed over into other genres. If the term had crossed over to Rockabilly or Country music, then surely Texas Tornados must be considered a super-group. The epitome of the Tex-Mex sound, Texas Tornados brings together four Texas superstars: Doug Sahm and Augie Meyers, founders of rocking Texas band Sir Douglas Quintet; Freddie Fender, singer of romantic Tex-Mex R & B; and Flaco Jimenez, who managed to meld Mexican, Cajun, and European polka sounds into something new and unique.
Growing up in Alberta in mid-century, I heard a wide variety of musical genres on the radio. In a pioneer society where many of us were new arrivals from Poland, the Ukraine, and other areas of Eastern Europe, much of the popular music on the radio was polkas performed by stars like Gaby Hawes, Frankie Yankovic, and the Six Fat Dutchmen. With much of the population being of Scots-Irish and French descent, we also heard old timey reels, scottishes, jigs, and even Cajun music. Into the mix came American and British pop music, Country & Western hits, Jazz, Blues, and even the occasional Rock & Roll song. This Texas Tornados concert is just like that, a wonderful stew of musical genres, often blended into one variegated song.
Although there is a certain unity to the nineteen songs in this set, as each artist adds to and enhances the sound of the others, the distinctive styles of the four can clearly be heard throughout. This, more than anything, may be what contributes to the feeling of a radio broadcast back when stations didn’t mind playing a mix of genres on the same program.
Establishing both the collaborative nature of this Tejano band and a Tex-Mex ambience, the set opens with an ensemble performance of “Soy de San Luis” featuring vocals in Spanish and English by Jiminez, Fender, and Sahm along with the unique sound of Jiminez’ button accordion. Jiminez brings his polka sound to the forefront in “Ay Te Dejo En San Antonio” but brings a very Mexican sound to “Cancion Mixtega.” Throughout the set, his accordion can be heard rocking behind Sahm, adding a romantic bed to Fender’s vocals, and enhancing Meyers’ Tex-Mex songs.
On most songs, Meyers can be heard playing his classic Vox organ but, when he sings, he switches to accordion with Sahm subbing in on keys. Meyers songs have perhaps the most country sound on this release, always with a certain Mexican sound supported and enhanced by Jimenez’ accordion. Having grown up in a culture where, instead of piano, kids took accordion lessons, I enjoyed hearing those twin accordions pumping it out. Meyers’ vocals have a dry matter-of-fact sense well suited to the wry humour of his lyrics. “(Hey Baby) Que Paso” and “Dinero” both have a light touch that will make the listener smile with recognition. “Dinero” seems like a retelling of Lefty Frizzell’s “If You’ve Got the Money, I’ve Got the Time” but with a Mexican edge. “Mathilda” takes the listener back fifty years to rocking Blues-based love songs, complete with edgy piano triplets played by Sahm and some excellent Rock & Roll guitar by Fender.
Freddy Fender softens and slightly slows this Rock and Roll sound, his sweet-voiced vocals reminiscent of some of the most romantic songs of the Fifties. In fact, “Wasted Days and Wasted Nights” was first a hit in 1959 before hitting the charts a second time in 1975. Fender also performs his tear-jerker “Before the Next Teardrop Falls” from 1975, as well as the equally romantic “Only One” and “A Man Can Cry.” Each of these songs is especially enhanced by the vintage sounds of Sahm on piano, Fender on guitar, and Jiminez on accordion. “If That’s What You’re Thinking” is a sweet love song made more touching by Fender’s soulful vocal. Jimmy Reed’s “Baby What You Want Me to Do” reveals an even bluesier facet of Fender and the band, rocking on for five and one half minutes.
Besides his Sir Douglas Quintet, Doug Sahm has created a whole series of bands with various configurations and has consistently crossed genres. His performances here present several aspects of his long and varied career. The set ends with a version of ? and the Mysterions’ 1966 hit “96 Tears” that features superb performances by these four superstars, but especially Sahm, who has recorded this song with several of his bands. This is a definite jamband version of the song, with a solid groove that goes on for more than seven minutes. Excellent performances of the Sir Douglas Quintet hits “She’s About a Mover” and “Mendocino” bring fond reminiscence of that marvelous partnership between Sahm and Meyers nearly forty years ago. Songs like “Laredo Rose” and “She Never Spoke Spanish to Me” expose a quieter, more countrified facet of Doug Sahm. “Adios Mexico” is pure Rock & Roll with a Tex-Mex overlay and “Who Were You Thinkin’ Of” adds a touch of humour that’s just on the safe side of prurient.
Sometimes, when you bring together just the right elements, you get something that is far more than their sum total. The result is exponential and very, very special. This Texas Tornados concert brings together four artists, any one of whom would put on a great show, but the show recorded on this DVD is very special indeed and a must see performance.
Those who may be interested can find a great deal of information on Texas Tornados at Wikipedia. Wikipedia also has separate articles on Doug Sahm, Freddie Fender, and Flaco Jiminez. You can find more information on Augie Meyers at the Official Augie Meyers website
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