It has taken five decades, but for the first time in his storied, sometimes checkered career, Freddy Fender delves deeply into the music of his forefathers: the boleros and rancheras that would have played in the ghettos o... more »f his native San Benito, Texas, and that he sang as a youth in border-town cantinas. Backed by a veteran trio of San Antonio guitarists--Juan Aguilar, Pancho Perez, and requinto master Chepe Solis--simple percussion, and tastefully arranged strings, Fender wraps his voice (as clear, vulnerable, and evocative as ever) around the long, round vowels of the Spanish language, and leaves few emotional stones unturned. Especially gorgeous are "Adios Muchachos," a melancholy meditation on final farewells, and the delicate opener, "Rayito de Luna." El Be Bop Kid isn't just back; he sounds reborn. --Roy Kasten« less
It has taken five decades, but for the first time in his storied, sometimes checkered career, Freddy Fender delves deeply into the music of his forefathers: the boleros and rancheras that would have played in the ghettos of his native San Benito, Texas, and that he sang as a youth in border-town cantinas. Backed by a veteran trio of San Antonio guitarists--Juan Aguilar, Pancho Perez, and requinto master Chepe Solis--simple percussion, and tastefully arranged strings, Fender wraps his voice (as clear, vulnerable, and evocative as ever) around the long, round vowels of the Spanish language, and leaves few emotional stones unturned. Especially gorgeous are "Adios Muchachos," a melancholy meditation on final farewells, and the delicate opener, "Rayito de Luna." El Be Bop Kid isn't just back; he sounds reborn. --Roy Kasten
CD Reviews
Freddy Fender's Masterpiece finally arrives!
renguy | San Jose, CA United States | 03/11/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Some four years following his brief association with the amazing Grammy winning album project "Los Super Seven", the crowned King of Tex-Mex Freddy Fender returns with his majestic masterpiece "La Musica de Baldemar Huerta". Not surprisingly, the Grammy Awards recently declared this sublime record "Best Latin Pop Album of the Year". -And with substantial reason because this disc is quite simply the crème de la crème of Latin roots based music. With heartfelt abandon, Freddy Fender performs these gorgeous, melodic songs of his youth in a loving tribute to the music of his culture. He has finally recorded that album of beautiful Mexican songs that his fans for years have prayed for, and most recently since his contributions to "Los Super Seven". This is Freddy Fender at his absolute best and quite possibly the finest album he has ever recorded. His genuine, earnest love of these songs emerges through his performance making this the most personal album of his tumultuous career. From the gorgeous opener "Rayito de Luna" to the last song in the program "Adios Muchachos" each song on this disc is pure undiluted beauty. As an encore to this wonderful disc, two Freddy Fender classics "Before the Next Tear Drop Falls" and "Secret Love" are presented in the Mexican style of the album. Although his associations with The Texas Tornados and Los Super Seven have served him well, Freddy Fender is best as a solo artist as this incredible album demonstrates."
Freddy Fender raises the bar and scores a GOAL !!!
Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 06/20/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Freddy Fender (Baldemar Huerta) had a voice that was always a highly polished instrument with lots of masculine warmth and sensitivity. It is a pleasure to listen to him and his trio of guitarists; they perform so well together. Freddy sings his heart out on this CD; and every minute of the album proves it.
The CD starts out with the beautiful but melancholy "Rayito De Luna." Freddy and his trio sing of how the white moon lights the sky with its tiny little rays; and he laments that it also shines down on him while he must live a life full of sorrow. The guitars and percussion work wonders; the musical arrangement glistens like gold. "Perfidia" opens with a beautiful guitar solo; Freddy again laments of how no lady wants to be his one true love. "Perfidia" boasts a charming melody that belies the sadness of the lyrics; I think it's a masterpiece.
"Recuerdos De Ipacairi" lets Freddy and his trio sing of a love gone awry; the Latin beat stuns me with its charm and clever use of the horn against the guitars and the percussion. "Cien Mujeres" starts off with a rather slow tempo and when the tempo picks up we hear a beautiful love ballad.
"Adios Muchachos" explores the sadness a man feels when he must say goodbye to his buddies; the melody works well with the lyrics. Great!
But there's more. We get two bonus tracks--in English and Spanish. Freddy sings one of his English signature songs entitled "Before The Next Teardrop Falls." Freddy sings of how he will always be there for the woman he loves even though she prefers to spend her time with another man. This touching ballad moves you with its sensitivity; and the horns enhance the dramatic effect for "Before The Next Teardrop Falls." "Secret Love" also moves me with the way Freddy delivers this with panache and great sensitivity.
The liner notes give us the song credits and three photos of Freddy and his family tinted with a brown hue to indicate that these photos are from many years ago. There is a list of the band members; and Freddy writes a brief "thank you" note to everyone who helped him make this CD.
Despite his unfortunate passing last year, Freddy Fender remains a noteworthy bilingual singer who could move even the hardest of hearts with his singularly passionate delivery that always came straight from his heart. I highly recommend this CD for Freddy Fender fans. In addition, people who enjoy classic Latin ballads or even country music with a Spanish twist will also enjoy this CD.
"
From C&W/POP Superstar to Latin Grammy Award winner
Ronald Van Scherpenzeel | Madrid, Spain | 10/15/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In 1975 Freddy Fender hit the top # 1 on both the Pop and Country charts
something he repeated 3 more times. Baldemar Huerta started out as a
local star in the late 50's singing Rock & Roll and Rockabilly with a
Spanish accent. After some problems with Justice he went out of music
till he was re-discovered by producer Huey Meaux whose idea of songs
sung half in English and half in Spanish led to Freddy's tremendous success
on the Country and Pop charts where he stayed until the mid-80's.
In 1990 he emerged again to popularity together with Doug Sahm, Augie
Meyers and Flaco Jimenez as the supergroup The Texas Tornados probably
the best Tex-Mex music group ever until the sudden death of Doug Sahm
(famous leader of the Sir Douglas Quintet back in the 60's)in 1999.
Who could foresee that Freddy would come back again winning a Grammy
Award with this wonderful "La Música de Baldemar Huerta" 27 years after?
A record with wonderful boleros and huapangos showing us the authentic
roots of Freddy. Beautiful interpretations of well known Mexican songs
+ two bonus treasures: new versions of his # 1 hits "Before the next
teardrop falls" and "Secret Love" with splendid mariachi backup.
It is very difficult to find a CD where all the songs selected are incredibly beautiful.
No wonder it won a Grammy as best latin album in 2002.
A MUST for romantic music lovers whether you understand or not the
Spanish language!
"
Beautiful Dreamy Atmospheric and Heartfelt
Todd and In Charge | Miami, FL | 12/06/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Freddy Fender's long and illustrious career hit a high point with this release, his love song to the music he heard on the streets and in the plains where he grew up in San Benito, TX. The voice is as grand and sweet as you remember, the arrangements lush, tasteful, and simply beautiful. The song selection is nothing less than superb. This is an album you can play in your car for days, driving dreamily as you are transported back to the time of the gauchos, the wistful acoustic guitar in your ears, the wind at your back. So much of Freddy's catalogue is out of print, we are fortunate this is available to be treasured and enjoyed. The bonus tracks, newly arranged versions of his signature "Before the Next Teardrop Falls," and "Secret Love," are truly an added bonus, these songs have never sounded lovelier or more touching and true."
Wonderful!
Mom of 2 | Tucson, AZ | 08/19/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is wonderful! I love Freddy Fender's music, and this just really features his beautiful voice and interpretation of lyrics. It features a collection of classic trio music. I keep this one on repeat for the whole work day. Everyone that comes in comments on the soothing quality of the music and how it takes them back in time. They are always surprised that it is Freddy Fender."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1