Vida Mia: 1934-1939

by Lydia Mendoza

Overview

The 25 tracks collected on Vida Mia: 1934-1939 are not Lydia Mendoza's earliest recordings (which are available on an earlier Arhoolie compilation, Mal Hombre & Other Original Hits from the 1930s), but a slightly later batch that find the singer and guitarist refining and perfecting her early style. There are four early recordings with La Familia Mendoza, on which Lydia plays violin and doesn't sing, but the remaining 21 tracks feature her rich, earthy voice and magnificent 12-string guitar either solo or, on six tracks, with sister Maria Mendoza accompanying her on mandolin. Mendoza was only 18 when the earliest of these recordings were made, but she already exhibited the mastery of her instrument that made her a legend in Mexican-American music history. What's particularly fascinating about these solo recordings is how they reveal the polyglot influences of music in Mendoza's native Texas Hill Country: focus strictly on Mendoza's guitar playing, and it shows unexpected commonality with that of the Texas blues guitarists who were starting to get recorded around the same era. Vocally, Mendoza tends to sing in a deeper, throatier voice on these solo recordings than the higher-pitched, more nasal tone she adopted in her later recordings with her sisters. While casual fans might be more interested in the earlier Arhoolie compilation, which contains "Mal Hombre" and most of Mendoza's other early hits, Vida Mia: 1934-1939 is a solid and often fascinating supplement. ~ Stewart Mason

Product Details

Release Date:	02/16/1999
Label:	ARHOOLIE RECORDS
UPC:	0096297700822

Tracks

1. Cosas que Suceden
2. Todo Por Ti
3. Cuando Tu Me Querias
4. Pelgaria
5. Novillero
6. La Bamba
7. Vida Mia
8. Dices Bien Mio
9. La Pollita
10. No Puedo Dejar de Querete
11. As de Coraz¿¿nes
12. D¿¿me Mal Hombre
13. Amor Sin Esperanza
14. Pobrecita de Mi Alma
15. Fue Mentira (Mentirosa)
16. Lejos
17. Ojos Tristes
18. Temo
19. Tengo a Mi Lupe
20. Lamento Borincano
21. Lejos de Ti
22. No Sabes Comprender
23. La China
24. Maria, Maria
25. El Coco

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Lydia Mendoza   Primary Artist,Guitar,Violin,Vocals
Familia Mendoza   Primary Artist
Juan Mendoza   Vocals
Lenor Mendoza   Guitar,Vocals
Maria Mendoza   Vocals,Mandolin
Francisco Mendoza   Vocals,Triangle

Technical Credits

Lydia Mendoza   Photography
Zack Salem   Editing,Translation
Luis Alcaraz   Composer
Hilda Mendez   Liner Notes
Traditional   Composer
Luis Martinez Serrano   Composer
Ritchie Valens   Composer
Rafael Hernandez   Composer
Alfonso Esparza Oteo   Composer
Guty Cardenas   Composer
Agustin Lara   Composer
Chris Strachwitz   Editing
Familia Mendoza   Composer,Performer
Maria Grever   Composer
Lorenzo Barcelata   Composer