“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 Eugene Rodriguez, who leads the Bay Area musical collective Los Cenzontles, 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…
(And check out the story and impressive cultural contributions of Los Cenzontles- much more than a band: https://www.loscenzontles.com/who-we-are/)
Two from Rickie Lee
Howard Stern had a great interview this morning with Carly Simon. Howard drilled down into her icy relationship with ex-husband James Taylor. Their mutual son – Ben Taylor – was in the studio as well, which made for an interesting dynamic. Long story short, Howard and Ben are joining forces to talk some sense into JT and at least get the former couple talking again. Howard is a great shrink, I’m telling ya.
Hearing Carly Simon made me think of Rickie Lee Jones. Natural progression, right? I don’t know why, but I just associate one loosely with the other. Now let’s go back 15 years, shall we? I have exactly one Rickie Lee Jones album: Traffic From Paradise. It was her last record with Geffen, released in 1993. There’s some wonderful collaborations on the album with the likes of Leo Kottke, Brian Setzer, David Baerwald and Ickmusic hall of famer David Hidalgo. Kottke especially pervades the album, playing 6-string, 12-string, and slide acoustic guitar. Master of the session drummers (and drummer for the Traveling Wilburys) Jim Keltner pounds the skins.
Two songs stand out on the album for me. The first is the crushingly beautiful “Beat Angels”. The background vocalists you hear are Hidalgo, Setzer, and Syd Straw. Hidalgo is also on eight string electric guitar.
Rickie Lee Jones – Beat Angels
The second track is the Jones/Kottke-penned “Running From Mercy”. Providing backing vocals here are Lyle Lovett, Kottke, Teresa Tudury, Sal Bernardi, and John Leftwich. Another one that reaches down into the soul…
Rickie Lee Jones – Running From Mercy
Rickie is still going strong. Check out her tour dates along the East Coast this June and July, and check out her latest, The Sermon on Exposition Blvd.
Review: In Tucson with David Hidalgo and Louie Perez
This past Sunday, I jumped on I-10 East and headed down to Tucson for a Dave & Louie show. Dave & Louie being David Hidalgo and Louie Perez, two members (and the main songwriters) of Los Lobos. The atmosphere and show format could not have been cooler: two 45 minute sets of music followed by a Q&A session – where audience members could step to the microphone and ask questions. Did I step to the mic? But of course! More on that later.
Sunday’s Tucson show was the final stop on a short seven city tour of the West, celebrating almost 40 years of writing songs together.
Accordion to Me – Arcade Fire and Willy DeVille
Well I’m a little late to the party on this one, but I have to spread the good word of The Arcade Fire, a great band from Montreal. They’ve been all over the internet, all over the music blogs, and doggone it, they’re gettin’ to me. The song posted below was my first introduction to the band. Also, I found a page with several video links to a Lawrence, Kansas performance and interviews with the band.
I’m always bad at categorizing / pigeonholing music, so I turn again to AMG, Arcade Fire is an “experimental indie rock quintet.” “Old Flame” is a great tune. Any tune that can kick it with an accordion is a-ok with me.
From Arcade Fire Demo EP, self-released in 2003.
Arcade Fire Official Site
While we’re on an accordion kick, take a listen to Willy Deville‘s “Even While I Sleep”. Willy used to be in Mink Deville, a pioneering NY-based punk pand. I only have one of his solo albums, ‘Backstreets of Desire’, but need to get more. He’s heavily influenced by R&B and New Orleans stylings. “Even While I Sleep” features David Hidalgo of Los Lobos on the squeezebox. Dig it…
From ‘Backstreets of Desire’, 1994, Forward/Rhino – {Amazon}
