The ultimate Tex-Mex super group is back! A ugie M eyers and Flaco Jimenez reunite with the late D oug Sahm s son, Shawn Sahm, in a new recording that includes five previously unreleased vocal performances from the late Gr... more »ammy® award winner Freddy Fender. The collection includes new songs written by Fender, such as the swamp pop ballad If I Could O nly, an instant new Tornados-style classic written by D oug and Shawn Sahm, Who s to Blame, Senorita, and several A ugie M eyers songs recorded for the first time by the Tornados, such as the spunky Velma from Selma and melodic My Sugar Blue. The album was produced by Shawn Sahm and will
be released by Ray Benson s Bismeaux Records, based in A ustin, Texas. A s Flaco Jimenez states,
The groove is back, which should come as no surprise. In addition to the featured members, the recordings include Tornados originalmusicians L ouie O rtega, Speedy Sparks and
The ultimate Tex-Mex super group is back! A ugie M eyers and Flaco Jimenez reunite with the late D oug Sahm s son, Shawn Sahm, in a new recording that includes five previously unreleased vocal performances from the late Grammy® award winner Freddy Fender. The collection includes new songs written by Fender, such as the swamp pop ballad If I Could O nly, an instant new Tornados-style classic written by D oug and Shawn Sahm, Who s to Blame, Senorita, and several A ugie M eyers songs recorded for the first time by the Tornados, such as the spunky Velma from Selma and melodic My Sugar Blue. The album was produced by Shawn Sahm and will
be released by Ray Benson s Bismeaux Records, based in A ustin, Texas. A s Flaco Jimenez states,
The groove is back, which should come as no surprise. In addition to the featured members, the recordings include Tornados originalmusicians L ouie O rtega, Speedy Sparks and
Ernie D urawa. E sta Bueno! (It s Good!)
CD Reviews
Texas Tornados - "Esta Bueno!" Is Mui Bueno! (BiSMEAUX)
'Rebel' Rod Ames | Ingram, Tx | 03/02/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Just about everyone thought once Doug Sahm left us back in November of 1999, and then Freddy Fender in October of 2006 that The Texas Tornados were gone forever. However, any one familiar with Shawn Sahm, knew the gene was still going strong, recordings live forever, and are by some, never forgotten! He, with the help of long time Doug Sahm friends and collaborators, Augie Meyers and Flaco Jiménez knew about both.
This is an excellent record produced by Asleep at the Wheel's Ray Benson. The recording is reverently laid-out, with Doug and Freddy being the first two elements you hear on the record, and I believe it sets the pace for the entire record. At first, the record pays homage to the founders then our ears, filled with new Tornados' tunes, give the record an enormous amount of freshness, while never abandoning the idea of this also being a fantastic tribute album, ultimately keeping the listener interested throughout this set of thirteen songs.
Shawn Sahm steps into the spotlight on several tunes on the record, including the first track, "Whose to Blame". When the younger Sahm began to sing, tears started swelling up in the corner of my eyes. He reminds me so much of his Dad. There is no doubt it's Shawn belting out the tune, but there is also no qualm left as to who his Father was.
Freddy Fender is featured on "Another Shot of Ambition", a simple little honky-tonk drinking song with the Texas Tornado signature written all over it but with Freddy Fender standing firmly in the spotlight. He later does it again with the beautiful "Llevame", a beautiful Tejano treat for the ears.
The last tune on the record is "Girl Going Nowhere", sung by Sir Douglas himself. Doug Sahm could rock, he could blues it up, he could twang as good as anyone, he could play Tejano, and he could mix it all up in a big old bowl of musical joy. It would appear the producer pays tribute to the man by finishing the record with this great piece of songwriting. Whatever the motive, it was a fantastic way to finish the record.
`Rebel' Rod says; check it out! It's Good or should I say, Esta Bueno!
"
The Texas Tornados are reborn and still rockin'!
J. Polsgrove | Baja Arizona | 03/02/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"OK, who expected another CD from the Texas Tornados? Doug Sahm's death in 1999 essentially ended the band. Then we lost Freddy Fender in 2006. We had some great music to listen to, but I didn't expect anything new -- maybe some live shows would be released someday was the best we could hope for. But what a surprise! Enter Shawn Sahm, Doug's son, who often played guitar and other instruments with his dad and the band. Driven by Shawn, the Texas Tornados are back! Don't underestimate the great songwriting abilities of the younger Sahm, as well as longtime Sahm companion Augie Meyers and the ever-awesome Flaco Jimenez! They've turned out some toe-tappin' tunes.
This CD is good! It's not quite 5-star material, but it's not bad. The CD closes with a cut featuring Doug Sahm on vocals, a live performance, and a "podcast" of Esta Bueno. None of those are especially compelling, but taken as a whole, there are 51 minutes of decent music here. I know, it'll never equal their classic debut (nothing can ever eclipse Hey Baby, Que Paso!), but Texas Tornados, version 2.0, is actually quite good! It's worth getting."
Successful comeback of the Tex-Mex veterans
Petervontobel | Zürich, Switzerland | 03/28/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a successful comeback of the original Tex-Mex veterans who present us some good "Happy go lucky music".
Augie Myers organ and Flaco Jimenez' harmonica are still the trademarks of the group which sounds as fresh as ever even though the two are both around 70 years of age.
The album is a tribute to their original Texas Tornados companions Doug Sahm and Freddie Fender and they also have some background musicians from the original Tornados.
This is a real good buy ! The album contains unreleased songs from Freddie Fender, Doug Sahm, Augie Myers and Flaco Jimenez.
Go and get it and then enjoy the good times !
Peter Vontobel, Switzerland"
Texas Tornados Return To The Road behind Esta Bueno!
David R. Pedrazine | Texas | 06/14/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
""Esta Bueno!", the final album from the Super group The Texas Tornados is out and if you are a fan of the group, it will have to be added to your music collection. The disk, Produced by Shawn Sam and Executive Produced by Ray Benson (Asleep at The Wheel) under his Bismeaux Records label is a 13 track Texas Groove that incorporates 4 previously unreleased tracks recorded by the late Freddy Fender and one by the late Doug Sahm.
This incarnation of the band consists of original members Augie Meyers (Vocals, Vox Organ, Piano), Flaco Jimenez (Vocals, Accordion), Louie Ortega (Guitar, Background Vocals), Speedy Sparks (Bass) and Ernie Durawa (Drums). Stepping in for the late Doug Sahm is his son Shawn Sahm (Guitars, Vocals, Drums) who has been furiously working to get his legendary father enshrined into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame. Shawn doesn't just stand in for his pop, it's as if he is channeling Sir Doug himself not only on this record, but in every live performance I've seen so far.
The album kicks off with "Who's To Blame" which sounds like vintage Tornados and leads into the first Freddy Fender song released since his death, "If I Could Only". The song is classic Freddy Fender and features San Antonio's own Westside Horns (Al Gomez, Spot Barnett, Louis Bustos). This song felt like an instant classic the first time I heard it and should get major air play over the Americana airwaves. Throughout the record, the distinctive Flaco Jimenez accordion is prevalent and as lively as ever and the Grammy Award winner has never sounded better.
The record also displays the Tornados fun side with songs like Augie's "Velma From Selma," the title track "Esta Bueno", "In Heaven There Is No Beer" and "Chicano," a remix of the classic 1973 recording by Doug Sahm and Flaco Jimenez which, according to the song notes, "introduced Flaco to the rock and roll side of the world...".
"Llevame," a song written by Louie Ortega, has a classic Spanish song feel with excellent guitar work by Shawn. It's a festive number that makes you want to see it live. That song is followed up by my personal favorite, "Girl Going Nowhere" written and sung by Doug Sahm. It's a throwback to Doug's heyday and to hear great new material from Sir Doug made me a little misty, I must say. After you hear it, send a note to his son Shawn and thank him for letting us in on another great Doug hit. I know he'll be glad to hear from you just as Doug would have.
Be sure to catch The Tornados at an in store appearance at Waterloo Records on March 2, 2010, at SXSW on March 19th and over the airwaves on KLRU on March 13th with Raul Malo.
"After the loss of two of their finest the Texas Tornado's regrouped came an excellent album in the tradition of the previous albums. Austin City limits had a presentation on some of the songs that drove me to buy the new album. Of course this music is not for everyone but if you loved the previous album you'll love this one."
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1