Being a weeklie podcaste from Madison, Wisconsin featuring several remarkable curiosities therein occurring being a compendium of live music from divers artistes
Show #83: Los Lobos
August 27th, 2006
When Los Lobos had a hit back in 1987 with their cover of Richie Valens’ version of “La Bamba” for the film of the same name, it brought them great fame. The video was on MTV constantly and the soundtrack to the film went double platinum. But the popularity cut both ways and the band are remembered by many people for that song and that song alone. This is a great shame as, although the song fits into their oeuvre perfectly, it by no means does justice to the great variety in their music.
To say that Los Lobos is an American rock band is at once lacking and yet perfectly apt. Most of the band’s music is rock and they’re Americans but they also embrace the great diversity of this country. The band’s music includes rock’n'roll, blues, R&B, country as well as genres from south of the border such boleros and rancheras.
Hailing from Los Angeles, the band released their first album, Los Lobos Del Este De Los Angeles, which was a collection of traditional Mexican tunes, in 1978. Five years later, with the addition of saxophonist/keyboardist Steve Berlin, they released an EP, And Time to Dance. One song from the EP, “Anselma”, won a Grammy. The next year saw the release of How Will the Wolf Survive? followed by their music for La Bamba. The band consolidated their success over the next several years which included the release of La Pistola y El Corazón, a full-length foray back into traditional Mexican music. Kiko came in 1992 and marked a change in the band’s music. I remember one reviewer decrying that the band had made progressive rock. Yeah, the music was less straight-ahead and the lyrics were a bit impressionistic, but hardly prog. All the elements of the bands previous albums were there; it’s just that they were kind of mixed up in new ways. Their next rock album, Colossal Head was released in 1996 and this is where today’s show comes into the picture.
I love Colossal Head and have many fond memories associated with it. Shortly after it came out, my friend Pete moved back to Madison. The first time I saw him upon his return, he came over and we went out drinking. The drives to and from the taverns featured the album cranked up loudly from his truck. (Perhaps you were one of the people we disturbed over on Willy Street.) I was at this performance and the taper must have been fairly close because, as the guitar is being tuned for “Everybody Loves a Train”, you can hear my buddy Kias give our bowling team’s cry of “Oooh-ahhhh!!”. Now, onto the show.
(Picture found here.)
It was recorded on 4 November 1996 at the Barrymore Theatre here in Madison. It’s a very good audience recording and is the first set from that night.
Setlist:
Colossal Head
That Train Don’t Stop Here
One Time, One Night
Everybody Loves a Train
Shakin’ Shakin’ Shakes
I Walk Alone
Down On The Riverbed
Dream in Blue
Maricela
Manny’s Bones
Revolution
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