Los Lobos

[Mingus]

Still one of THE BEST Rock & Roll bands in America.

Friday, November 17, 2006
Higher Ground
Burlington, Vermont

The MOST fun anyone can have with their clothes on.

They simply ROCKED!

Sound/Volume (while enjoyably LOUD) was under control (contrast to the show at The Old Lantern back in '96).

Played for 2 1/2 hours. Really seemed to enjoy the extremely positive vibes the audience was giving back.

After two hours, they came back on stage (at first, just David, Cesar, Conrad, and Drummer (not Louie)) and proceeded to launch into a song "they haven't tried since they were 15". None other than Cream's "Sunshine of your Love". A real hoot! Followed up with the equally bass heavy version of the Who's "My Generation". Conrad raised Entwistle from the grave!

Finished up with "Georgia Slop", David didn't want to leave the stage.

Earlier, played everything you would want. Original Mexican coritos, early Slash classics (Got Loaded, Will the Wolf Survive, etc), a very cool/extended version of "Mas y Mas", someone yelled, "Will the Wolf Survive?" to which Conrad smiled and said "I sure hope so!", the Dedicated classic "Bertha", Buddy Holly's "Not Fade Away", a killer version of Richard Thompson's "Shoot Out the Lights", and a couple from their new commercial cd "The Town and The City", "The Town" sounded pretty promising.

Picked up a couple of "show only" cds. One acoustic, one live from 1984.

A total blast. House was packed. Even got my wife up on stage to dance with Hidalgo. Talk about a hoot!

[Chris D]

Thanks for the report, Mingus. I was chided elsewhere for calling "The Town and the City" the best CD of the year so far, but damned if it isn't. For sure the best live band in America right now.

[Gary Sisco]

Love 'em. A real rock-and-roll band.

[Mingus]

Originally Posted by Chris D

Thanks for the report, Mingus. I was chided elsewhere for calling "The Town and the City" the best CD of the year so far, but damned if it isn't.

Philistines.

[Dr Dave]

Cesar Rojas is the uncrowned King of Rock'n'Roll.

[Chazro]

I've always felt that as cool as their name is it may have tainted them in the sense that it may fool people into thinking they're a Spanish/Tex-Mex band. While there are certainly elements of this music in some of their output, the fact is, Los Lobos is one of the greatest bands this good ol' U.S.A. has ever produced!!

[Vince Kargatis]

Originally Posted by Gary Sisco

A real rock-and-roll band.

Despite the fact that no one plays that anymore. :)

[Chris D]

Yes, I feel so "rockist" for defending them.

[Gary Sisco]

I never said that. I've said I draw a distinction between rock and rock-and-roll. There've always been r'n'r bands, since the 40s (if you think of r-n-b, which I do) or the 50s (if you don't). There are many rock and roll bands. Most of them are road warriors, though, like Southern Culture On The Skids, for example, or "local" bands. Los Lobos is one of the few that have managed, in a long time, to break into the real pop realm as well, and more power to 'em. Ironically, a lot of rock-and-roll comes under the "roots music" term today, including my own.

To me, roots music is 20s-30s blues, old-school r&b, Hank Williams, and Bill Monroe.

But I'm old enough now to find myself a "roots music" guy for another generation.

Strange the way terms change over time.

Anyway, Los Lobos is rock and roll, definitely, by any measure.

I believe the first time I heard them was on the Carson show many moons ago, while on the road myself. I made a mental note tha night to remember to pay attention and look out for them in future because they rocked. I love the sunglasses guy.

Hail, hail, rock and roll!

[Dr Dave]

Originally Posted by Gary Sisco

I love the sunglasses guy.

That's Cesar! Case closed!

[Mingus]

Originally Posted by Dr Dave

Cesar Rojas is the uncrowned King of Rock'n'Roll.

Viva la Caeser!