“Somebody Please” — From Indianapolis Soul to East LA

A regional soul single that climbed to #49 on the Billboard R&B chart in 1969 was covered a few years ago by Los Cenzontles and David Hidalgo & Cesar Rosas of Los Lobos — and the journey it took to get there says everything about how music actually travels. Another hidden gem emerges…

I came across it last night through the Facebook group The Wolfpack – Los Lobos Nation, where I keep tabs on one of my very favorite bands. The song is “Somebody Please” — originally recorded by Indianapolis soul group The Vanguards way back in 1969, written by group member James Davis. The tune was embraced by the East Los Angeles Chicano community, working its way into lowrider culture and onto the kind of oldies compilations that soundtrack backyard parties and Sunday cruises. It was also covered by East L.A.’s The Blazers in 1997 — be sure to check out this great cover by Blazers member Manuel “Big Manny” Gonzalez from the early 2000s.

It was Big Manny’s cover, in fact, that inspired the recording below. Wolfpack poster E. Rodriguez set the scene:

“During the depths of the lockdown … I became hooked on Big Manny’s version of ‘Somebody Please’ from the Mister Duran show. I couldn’t help but hear David Hidalgo’s voice singing this song, so I asked him if he’d be willing to record it as an homage. He said yes, and suggested that we invite Cesar Rosas. Fabiola Trujillo and Lucina Rodriguez of Los Cenzontles added their lovely voices, and La Marisoul added her soulful touch. The incredible Carlos Caro on congas, Pablo Aslan on bass. Sounds like a classic to me — and a fitting tribute.”

What a beautiful tune. Mr. Rodriguez is so right — who better to sing this song than David Hidalgo? Kick back and enjoy…