Category Archives: Cultura Chicana

The legendary Johnny Hernandez returns with a new release, Gracias, Por Todos Los Exitos, a compilation of hits, as well as six newly recorded tracks. Hernandez was in town a few weeks ago at Donerakis-Gulf Gate to perform some of those hits and put on a great show.

His newest hit receiving airplay is Gracias–the title track. Produced by Grammy winner Gilbert Velasquez and backed up by some of the best session players in the genre, the new ranchera flows like Johnny’s tunes usually do–smooth and driven by a great horn section. Johnny hasn’t lost his vocal touch, either.

Track #2 is a Johnny Hernandez classic from when he was performing with “Third Coast,” Canta Canta. I was thinking of dusting off the cassette, but this re-done version suits me just fine. Johnny adds a couple of classic ballads to the mix, Por Un Amor and El Rebelde, which have been performed by so many others, but Johnny delivers them with the same emotion and ganas as when he performed them during his La Familia days.

One of my favorites is a classy bolero, Mil Besos. With its strong lyrics, such as, “Y si es pecado amarte, yo seguire pecando, ¿por que lo he de negar?” one can’t help but feel the love.  Finally, an old hit, Ramona, closes up the re-done and new tunes, with a strong brass section.

Johnny was careful to pick some of his greatest hits to fill in the rest of the CD, including Diganle, El Rancho Grande, Al Pie De Este Arbol, and a couple of personal favorites, Caracoles and No Me Hagas Menos.

Watching Johnny reproduce the vocals live the other day tells me he’s still got it.  And Gracias, Por Los Exitos is definitely a celebration of Johnny’s career and music.

Get yourself a copy!

On a side note, it was great finally meeting one of my heroes de la onda Chicana. A fan ever since my Pop would listen to “Las Nubes” back in the day, and continuing on through his solo career, I had missed a couple of opportunities to meet him, but have been especially honored to have a few great chats with him on Facebook–especially about La Politica y La Raza.

Let’s hope he gets back to Houston, and soon!

Joe Posada, the Tejano saxmaster, returns with a new release, Algo Esta Pasando. Packed with what some might call mainstream Tejano, I would venture to say that it’s a lot more than just your regular Tejano sound.

Backed up by some premier studio musicians and produced by Grammy winner Gilbert Velasquez, this production has a jazzy edge to it–and not just because of Posada’s sax artistry. The arrangements, the harmonies, and the instruments meld together to form some smooth tunes that will keep one singing those lyrics at any given time.

The production kicks off with Mi Ultimo Aliento and Mi Corazon y Tus Mentiras, two sax-driven rancheras that set the mood for the rest of the CD. The sax solos and the chord progressions show Posada’s ability to keep things interesting. La Vida Me Da Sorpresas melds sax, keys, and acordeon into a tune that will make you get your zapateada on.

Posada doesn’t disappoint on the cumbia side, though, taking the fun and funny approach with Las Ganas. Example:  “Las canas no me quitan las ganas de querer adorarte y hacer el amor…saca la Viagra, no seas tan agria, saca el Cialis, sabes que tu quieres…” Of course, I know nothing about that stuff, but apparently some men do. (Rolling eyes.)

Me Equivoque Contigo is another standard Posada Ranchera fueled by his sax and voice. Although Posada composed all of the songs, this one has more of a barrio feel to it, with the line, “Me equivoque contigo, me equivoque a lo macho, lo que fue mas gacho fue tu traizion.” Yeah, it’s really gacho when that happens.

Another tune with some barrio slang to it is Ya Estufas. I hadn’t heard the term “estufas” since middle school; basically, slang for “Ya estuvo,” or it’s over and done with. But the song is more than just those words, it really is a good “tell-off”  song to a love gone bad. Como el Sol has the same kind of theme as ”Tu me quemaste como el sol de mediodia,” makes her sound like a bad, bad person, but he’s still willing to keep her. (Why do we do that?)

Posada adds a couple of jazzy breaks with Ansias de Amor and Recuerdos. If you need some relaxation, these are the instrumentals to which to give a listen. Ansias de Amor features Edith Rivera on background vocals.

Finally, the one “different” song is a Chicano funk tune, Algo Esta Pasando (Sin Mi), in which Posada is backed by San Anto’s Westside Horns–a team of accomplished horn players who can play just about anything. Along with Joel Guzman’s acordeon, this funky tune is perfect when cruizin’ the streets–hydraulics, optional.

Most of Posada’s productions are all about him–his voice and his sax (and there’s nothing wrong with that!). This time around, one cannot help but notice Frankie Caballero’s acordeon and Gilbert Velasquez’s signature guitar-playing. The session players provide a great foundation to a great production. What matters most to me about such a good studio production is how well it can be reproduced live, and Posada has never disappointed in that regard. I sure hope he makes it to Houston, and soon.

There are plenty of online and brick-n-mortar stores to purchase the CD from, and you can also go to JoePosada.com if you want to forget the middle man. Bottom line:  You must get it!