Eleven's Song Reviews

Entries categorized as ‘Latin’

A Review of the Song, “Heigh-Ho,” Performed by Los Lobos: ¿Los Lobos Van a Cantar en Disney?

October 31, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Following in the tradition of Julie Andrews, Jim Brickman and the Dave Brubeck  Quartet, Disney Records has released a new collection of its classic movie tunes, this time performed by…Los Lobos? That’s right everybody. The guys from East L.A. are bringing “un poco del alma Latina” (a bit of Latin soul) to Disney.

(L to R: Los Lobos’ Cesar Rosas, Dopey, Snow White and Sneezy)

Since 1973, Los Lobos has combined rock, soul and traditional Spanish and Mexican music into a sound that has sold millions of records and won three Grammys. On the album, “Los Lobos Goes Disney” (released Oct 26, 2009), the group doesn’t change a thing. The song, “Heigh-Ho,” from the Disney classic animated film, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” is a standout.

Listen to the song here

The song kicks off with noisy, banging guitars and drums that settle into a rocking norteño-style groove. With appropriate Disney flourish, the “Heigh-Ho” singers begin alternating low and high “heigh-hos.”

Here are the lyrics:

First Verse
“Heigh-ho, heigh-ho, la hora ya llegó (The time has arrived.)
Whistles…heigh-ho, heigh-ho, heigh-ho
Heigh-ho, heigh-ho, la casa vuelvo yo (I go back home.)
Whistles…heigh-ho, heigh-ho

Second Verse
“Heigh-ho, heigh-ho, la casa vuelvo yo (I go back home.)
Whistles…heigh-ho, heigh-ho, heigh-ho
Heigh-ho, heigh-ho, el día ya acabo (The day is over.)
Whistles…heigh-ho, heigh-ho

The end of the song is even more hardcore than the beginning, complete with a chaotic drum roll, as if to say, “hell yeah” – but in a nice way for the kids.

By the way, if your kids can’t get enough of Los Lobos after listening to “Los Lobos Goes Disney,” the group made a children’s album with Lalo Guerrero called, “Papa’s Dream” (1995). They’re also on the soundtrack of the movie, “Spy Kids,” and they play the theme song to Disney’s “Handy Manny” TV show.

Also, see a replay of Los Lobos’ performance on Oct. 18, 2009, at the White House’s Fiesta Latina, a celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoagkxrPshU

Los Lobos’ Web sites include www.loslobos.org and www.myspace.com/loslobos. Los Lobos also has a fan page on Facebook.

Sources: www.loslobos.org (band page), www.myspace.com/loslobos (Los Lobos Goes Disney Press Release, Oct. 15, 2009), www.latinheat.com/news (Valderrama Voices Handy Manny New Disney Channel Series, July 12, 2006), www.tracksounds.com/reviews/spykids.htm and iTunes (Disney search).

Special Thanks
¡Muchas gracias to friends Milagros Heeter and Kelly Knipe for contributing their Spanish-language skills to this review!

Second and Third Favorite Songs This Week: 2. Devendra Banhart – “Angelika” from the album, “What Will We Be” (Folk Rock) and 3. Devendra Banhart – “Can’t Help But Smiling” from the album, “What Will We Be” (Folk Rock)

#  #  #

Categories: Blues · Latin · Uncategorized
Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A Review of Fred Hammond on the Song, ‘Thoughts of Love’: Legend Brings Romance to Gospel Music

October 3, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Fred Hammond’s new song, “Thoughts of Love,” from the album, “Love Unstoppable,” is best listened to with your significant other. When you press play, imagine the two of you transported to a softly lit jazz club. As the romantic bossa nova begins, get ready to smile and raise your eyebrows at each other. Clinking glasses would be appropriate.

Fred Hammond

With brushes dancing on the snare drum and a guitar offering its rich accompaniment, Hammond starts to sing, and the mood is set. While Hammond is tenderly crooning about amor, he’s singing about a different kind of love, a spiritual love.

Such is the genius of gospel music legend and Grammy award-winner Fred Hammond. The singer/songwriter/bassist/producer/chief executive officer has expanded the frontiers of gospel music for some 30 years with the Winans, Commissioned, Radical for Christ and as a solo artist.  Also, he has worked with mainstream artists, such as Sean “Diddy” Combs, Brian McKnight, Chanté Moore, Kenny Lattimore and Ruben Studdard.

On “Thoughts of Love,” Hammond sings:

“At my best, I’m wrong, I’m torn, I’m frail
But your love fills me up
Always in need of your heartbeat to cover me
For it, my passion sings this praise
For I am offering a grateful heart
As the tears flow down with thoughts of love”

I can relate to the human imperfection described in this passage, and I’m betting Hammond’s wider audience can, too. He’s singing about the pain and self-doubt we all experience along with the hope that carries us through.

Hammond’s pure, luxuriant voice on this track is a welcome contrast to the robot-enhanced (albeit fun) vocals popularized by hip-hop artists such as T-Pain and Kanye West. (Rapper Jay-Z slams this electronic phenomenon in his recent track, “D.O.A. – Death of Auto-Tune.”)

So if you’d like to share a real moment with your better half, or you just want to hear a great “love” song, check out Fred Hammond’s “Thoughts of Love” on the album “Love Unstoppable,” Verity Gospel Music Group, released Sept. 29, 2009. His Web sites include www.fhammondfamilyent.com and www.myspace.com/therealfredhammond. He also has a fan page on Facebook called “The Real Fred Hammond.”

Sources: www.fhammondfamilyent.com, www.verityrecords.co, www.singeruniverse.com (“Hit R&B Duo Kenny Lattimore & Chanté Moore Return With Their New 2-CD Set, Uncovered/Covered”) and www.blackchristiannews.com (Review of Fred Hammond’s “Love Unstoppable,” Sept. 30, 2009).

#  #  #

Categories: Gospel · Latin · Neo-Soul
Tagged: , , , , , , , , , ,