La Alondra de la Frontera: Live

by Lydia Mendoza

Overview

Rarely has a nickname been so apt as Lark of the Frontier (whose Spanish translation gives this album its title). Lydia Mendoza, who retired in 1988, showed she still had all her qualities in this 1982 performance at the University of California, Berkeley. Accompanied solely by her own 12-string guitar, giving the songs a rhythmic foundation, she's gloriously emotive on everything from boleros to corridos, and moves farther afield to take in "Tango Negro," which doesn't stretch her a bit. A consummate artist, she's also a splendid storyteller, but it's really the music that matters, and every song sparkles, with "Por Ti, Ay! Por Ti" a particular standout. "Torero" has plenty of drama, and you wouldn't think you were hearing a woman then in her sixties. There's a raw beauty to songs like "Gitana" that speak of a hard-won life, but Mendoza has always been a singer of and for the people, loving their chronicles. If you're looking for slick Latin music, this definitely isn't the place; but if you want something honest and moving, look no further. ~ Chris Nickson

Product Details

Release Date:	10/23/2001
Label:	ARHOOLIE RECORDS
UPC:	0096297049020

Tracks

1. Le Feria de las Flores
2. Gitana
3. Mal Hombre
4. Celosa
5. Mu¿¿equita Linda
6. El Mundo Enga¿¿oso
7. Amor de Madre
8. El Gorioncillo Pecho Amarillo
9. Torero
10. Por Ti, Ay! Por Ti
11. Adelita
12. Pero Hay Que Triste
13. Tango Negro
14. La Cama de Piedra
15. Flores Negras
16. Popurri: Pajarito Baranque¿¿o/Ojos de Pancha/Etc.

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Lydia Mendoza   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

Chucho Monge   Composer
Cuco Sanchez   Composer
D.A.R.   Composer
Maria Grieber   Composer
Chris Strachwitz   Engineer,Liner Notes,Producer
Belisario de Jesus Garcia   Composer
Lydia Mendoza   Arranger
Zack Salem   Liner Notes
Sergio de Karlo   Composer
Traditional   Composer