California's Los Lobos are the reigning kings of Tex-Mex/Rock Espanol. But this debut CD by the San Angelo, Texas band Los Lonely Boys might herald a changing of the guard. This is truly a band of brothers, led by guita... more »rist/vocalist Henry Garza and his younger, bass-and-drum-playing siblings Jojo and Ringo (no kidding). Like a lot of groups, they had to move away to achieve fame--in their case, to Nashville. But after the release of their EP, Willie Nelson heard them, put them on tour as his opening act, and recorded them at his studio--and the rest may be history. Stylistically, the Garza brothers' bilingual songs about love and life combine Stevie Ray Vaughan blues, Santana-style guitar licks and R&B. Nelson helps out on guitar, with Reese Wynans on keyboards. Produced by Keb Mo and B.B. King producer John Porter, the music is honest, driving, and down home, especially on the organ-filled uptempo tracks "Senorita" and "Tell My Why." The stinging guitar solo on the Afro-anthemic "Onda" recalls the '70s grooves Santana built his chops on, while "The Answer" and "More than Love" are raw power ballads that show off this group's dynamism and diversity. --Eugene Holley, Jr.« less
California's Los Lobos are the reigning kings of Tex-Mex/Rock Espanol. But this debut CD by the San Angelo, Texas band Los Lonely Boys might herald a changing of the guard. This is truly a band of brothers, led by guitarist/vocalist Henry Garza and his younger, bass-and-drum-playing siblings Jojo and Ringo (no kidding). Like a lot of groups, they had to move away to achieve fame--in their case, to Nashville. But after the release of their EP, Willie Nelson heard them, put them on tour as his opening act, and recorded them at his studio--and the rest may be history. Stylistically, the Garza brothers' bilingual songs about love and life combine Stevie Ray Vaughan blues, Santana-style guitar licks and R&B. Nelson helps out on guitar, with Reese Wynans on keyboards. Produced by Keb Mo and B.B. King producer John Porter, the music is honest, driving, and down home, especially on the organ-filled uptempo tracks "Senorita" and "Tell My Why." The stinging guitar solo on the Afro-anthemic "Onda" recalls the '70s grooves Santana built his chops on, while "The Answer" and "More than Love" are raw power ballads that show off this group's dynamism and diversity. --Eugene Holley, Jr.
Judith B. (butchpoodle) from EL SOBRANTE, CA Reviewed on 2/10/2007...
No one else is Los Lonely Boys - great stuff!
0 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
CD Reviews
Incredible and Original
B&B | Garland, TX | 09/22/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I can't believe this music is produced by only 3 guys! My daughter in Austin turned me on to this group and I am blown away by this CD. The talent these 3 young men exhibit is unbelievable. When you listen to "Onda", you'd swear it was Carlos Santana with a complete band ensemble. The production on this CD is the best and I can't recommend it higher.Personal favorites on this CD include "Senorita", "Dime Me Amor", "More than Love", "Onda", and "Real Emotions". Several tracks sounds very 'Jeff Healey' and if you are a Jeff Healey fan, you'll be impressed. Jeff would probably give his eye teeth to record "More Than Love".If you appreciate excellent blues/rock guitar, a Latin beat, and original material, you will love Los Lonely Boys."
FANTASTIC ALBUM FROM A TEXAS BAND
rpage8082 | Austin, TX United States | 08/16/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have never, ever written a review on Amazon. But I am compelled to write about these 3 extremely talented brothers from San Antonio, Texas. This is their debut album. I have been reading about Los Lonely Boys for quite some time in the local papers here in Texas and was curious about the hype. Well, I am here to tell you that the hype is real. These guys are absolutely the real thing. Their sound is a little bit Santana, a little bit Los Lobos, a little Stevie Ray thrown in, and a whole lot of the Garza Brothers Rock and Roll. I have had this in my CD player since I bought it. They play very tight melodies, the song-writing and lyrics are real and heartfelt. All of the brothers sing and their harmonies are right on. Each song can stand on its own. And the bestg part is that you can actually hear the words and the wonderful melodies, as opposed to so many rock and roll bands that do nothing but blast away and play the same chords over and over again. Henry Garza's lead guitar playing is phenomenal. His fretboard work is exquisite, with little nuances spread throughout. Jo-Jo and Ringo Garza provide a rythmn section that enhances each song. I can't say enough about this ablbum. These guys deserve to hit it big and I think they will. DO YOURSELF A BIG FAVOR AND BUY THIS ALBUM. YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!"
Great music in a mediocre world
Robert B. Newman | Durham, NC USA | 03/16/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I read a review on the Los Lonely boys about a month ago that was very positive. I had no idea who they were, and I'd never heard of them before. Last week I was in Barnes and Nobles and was browsing through the music section. I'm a big Hendrix fan and I was listening to some sample cuts off the Hendrix box set when I remembered the Los Lonely Boys. So I looked them up and listened to each sample cut from their new cd. I hadn't bought any new music for a long time and felt like this was worth taking a chance on. Boy, what a good decision. After taking it home and listening to it I could hardly bear to turn it off. I can honestly say I like every single song on the cd. I'm partial to Crazy Dream, Onda and Tell Me Why. But I like every one of the twelve songs. I don't know much Spanish. But when they sang a song in Spanish it didn't mattter any more than it has mattered to Passion of the Christ audiences that the movie characters spoke Latin or Aramaic. When it's real you get the message.
Personally I think there is much in the world, including music, that is very mediocre. I like things that have a little depth, things your soul can feed on. This music fits that description. This is GREAT music. I am truly excited about discovering the Garza brothers. I can't wait to see them in concert and look forward to their future productions. God bless them for producing something real in a world where kitsch is far too dominant."
Money well spent...
Robert B. Newman | 02/19/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'm 55 years old and grew up especially liking early blues/rock, Elvis, the Beetles, Stones, Doors, Hendrix, and on, and never imagined that a group of twenty-year-olds from would capture my attention to the extent that these guys have. Caught Los Lonely Boys in action a month or so ago on Austin City Limits and again a few weeks later on Conan O'Brien (it was interesting to see Conan walk over and thank these guys profusely; it was apparent by the look of amazement on his face that he had not expected them to be so good).The reviews below are accurate; this debut CD is extraordinary. I think I played it five times straight through before finally giving it a rest...but only for a day .If anything might prod me to finally start learning Spanish, it might be this CD (-:"
Smoking Hot!!!
Robert B. Newman | 06/25/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I haven't heard music this good for a while. Every single track on this CD is awesome, which is rare for new bands these days. Vocals, guitar, bass, and percussions are solid, these guys can really play, unlike most of todays bands. I've travelled 5 straight hours listening to just this one CD and never got tired of it. In fact I'm listening to it right at this moment. Thinking of buying CD's, put this on your list. Can't wait till the next album comes out."