Accordion Conjunto Champs

by CONJUNTO CHAMPS / VARIOUS

Overview

Since most (though not all) of these 21 conjunto tracks were previously issued on Arhoolie CDs and LPs, this has the dual purpose of serving as a sampler of Arhoolie's conjunto catalog and -- because Arhoolie has been one of the most active labels in documenting conjunto -- a good overview of conjunto music itself. As the title lets you know, the accordion figures prominently in all of the selections, which includes some well-known legends of the genre (Narciso Martinez, Flaco Jimenez, Santiago Jimenez, Santiago Jiminez Jr., Esteban "Steve" Jordan) and several performers who'll be known only to conjunto aficionados. Because this spans several decades of recordings, and draws from numerous artists playing in various subgenres of this Tex-Mex style -- basing their songs on polkas, mazurkas, ranchera waltzes, cancion, danzon, cumbia, and other approaches -- it's a more interesting and varied survey of the music than listeners will get through single-artist anthologies. It's true that more information (particularly on original recording and release dates) could have been supplied in the skeletal liner notes, though these at least point curious listeners toward books and films that go into the world of conjunto in more depth. For all its scope, the alternately peppy and melancholy melodies of these accordion conjuntos can still sound pretty similar in mood taken all at once, with some of the wider detours from the usual format (like Paulino Bernal's "Cuando Bebo," which has mournful close female harmonies from Carmen & Laura) supplying welcome spice. One of the tracks, Fred Zimmerle's "Al Cortar una Gardenia," was previously unreleased. ~ Richie Unterberger

Product Details

Release Date:	04/27/2004
Label:	ARHOOLIE RECORDS
UPC:	0096297034224

Tracks

1. Muchacha Bonita  - Narciso Martinez
2. Patricia  - Pedro Ayala
3. La Coneja  - Paulino Bernal
4. Cuando Bebo  - Paulino Bernal  -  Dar Beida 04
5. Noche Alegre  - Juan Lopez
6. Alejamiento y Regreso  - Jose Morante  -  Pavos Reales  -  Torres-Garcia
7. Virgencita de Mi Vida  -  Conjunto Trio San Antonio  -  Dar Beida 04  - Fred Zimmerle
8. Que Rebonito  - Narciso Martinez
9. Una Noche en un Jardin  - Santiago Jimenez
10. Juarez  - Flaco Jimenez
11. Flor de Dalia  - Santiago Jr. Jimenez
12. Vida Fatal  - Pedro Ybarra
13. Los Frijoles Bailan  - Tony de la Rosa
14. Me Dejaste  - Eugenio Abrego  -  Alegres de Teran  - Tomas Ortiz
15. Ter¿¿n  - Eugenio Abrego  -  Alegres de Teran
16. Al Cortar Una Gardenia  -  Conjunto Trio San Antonio  - Marco Rivera  - Fred Zimmerle
17. Amor de Madre  -  Dar Beida 04  - Narciso Martinez
18. El Canoero  - Valerio Sr. Longoria
19. El Sube y Baja  - Ramiro Cavazos  -  Donnenos  - Maria Montes
20. La Ratita  -  Conjunto Alamo  - Leandro Guerrero
21. Las Coronelas  - Bonifacio Collazo  - Esteban "Steve" Jordan

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Juan Lopez   Primary Artist,Primary Artist
Ramiro Cavazos   Primary Artist
Narciso Martinez   Primary Artist
Los Donnenos   Primary Artist
Pedro Ybarra   Primary Artist
Santiago Jimenez, Jr.   Primary Artist
Santiago Jimenez   Primary Artist
Los Alegres de Teran   Primary Artist
Valerio Longoria, Sr.   Primary Artist
Flaco Jimenez   Primary Artist
Tomas Ortiz   Primary Artist
Fred Zimmerle   Primary Artist
Conjunto Alamo   Primary Artist
Pedro Ayala   Primary Artist
Paulino Bernal   Primary Artist
Conjuncto Alamo   Primary Artist
Tony de la Rosa   Primary Artist
Don Santiago Jimenez, Sr.   Primary Artist
Salvador Torres-Garcia   Primary Artist
Eugenio Abrego   Primary Artist,Primary Artist
Fred Zimmerle Conjunto Trio San Antonio   Primary Artist
Valeria Longoria, Jr.   Primary Artist
Los Pavos Reales   Primary Artist
Conjunto Trio San Antonio   Primary Artist
Esteban "Steve" Jordan   Primary Artist
Maria Montes   Primary Artist
Leandro Guerrero   Primary Artist
Aario Montex   Primary Artist
Raul Gutierrez   Vocals

Technical Credits

Marco Rivera   Composer
Dar Beida 04   Composer
Pedro Ayala   Composer
Jose Morante   Composer
Eugenio Abrego   Composer
Santiago Jimenez, Jr.   Arranger
Paulino Bernal   Composer
Pedro Ybarra   Composer
Chris Strachwitz   Liner Notes,Editing
Bonifacio Collazo   Composer
Tony de la Rosa   Composer
Jesse Almazan   Cover Painting
Tomas Ortiz   Composer