Los Lobos - Ride This: The Covers EP
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Free Music Notes for Ride This: The Covers EP
Free Music Review: Calls for more
Hit: 4 Stars
Los Lobos has to take the award for versatility, if there is such a thing in pop music. This disc proves that they are not only great songwriters with serious chops, but amazing interpreters of other people's songs. My fave on here, hands down, is "Uncomplicated." What a great version of the Costello song, with a pounding drumbeat and some intense guitarwork. There is nothing bad on this disc, although the version of "Marie Marie" is a bit by-the-numbers.
However, the success of this EP begs the question: why only an EP? Why not a full disc of covers, including some of the Neil Young stuff they play, and whatever else they are into at the moment? I think fans would enjoy it. In the meantime, here is one more argument for Los Lobos being among the best touring bands in the USA.
Free Music Review: ABSOLUTELY AMAZING, BUT TOO SHORT BY HALF!
Hit: 4 Stars
One of the wolves great strengths is their ability to cover a tune and make it their own. Their usurpation of Neil Young's "Cinnamon Girl," "Down by the River" and "Cowgirl in the Sand" remain the definitive renditions of each of these tracks. Unfortunately, none of them made it onto this EP. There's no reason for this to be an EP. LL has generated so much incredible heat, that even on the heals of THE RIDE CD, in which they relegated themselves (unwisely) to back-up band status, a full CD of cover tunes from their career, live or studio, would have been just amazing.
In any case, from the opening Waits number, through the live rendition of "Marie", the band is on fire. It reaches an emotional high point with Richard Thompson's "Shoot Out the Lights," again making this song their own, and nearly eclipsing the scorching versions RT has effected. Costello's "Uncomplicated" is so finely turned that I really had forgotten that the Liverpool troll had written it. Womack's "More Than I Can Stand" stands on a par with the very fine tracks that were the highlights of THE RIDE. This is a greater CD than THE RIDE. Less is more and that's a shame, as a little more would have been a whole lot of great music.
Free Music Review: Barreling Down the Boulevard
Hit: 5 Stars
Well it seems Los Lobos have gotten it in gear with this album. They have taken control of the wheel and run through some fine self produced tunes. Undoubtedly the chemistry working with Robert Carranzas production near their turf in Rowland Heights made for some dynamite sessions. Shoot out the lights is my favorite with Black Sabbath Ironman influences. One of the great things about artist who aren't afraid to cover other peoples songs is that it tends to water the tree to grow more branches. I have heard Richard Thompson before but not like that. Now I may search out his record with Shootout the lights. The Tom Waits cover is good. The arrangement sounds like the song with the refrain I smoked two joints before I smoked two joints, then I smoked two more. I wonder what would have happened had they produced their records since La Bamba and collaborated with more of their fine friends on songs? They have come along way since their conjunto shows at Barnsdall Park and this effort has renewed my interest in future releases. Check out David Hidalgos work in Eric Claptons Crossroads DVD and see whose songs they may run over next 'Barreling Down the Boulevard'!
Free Music Review: Worth the money
Hit: 4 Stars
All in all, a nice little listen. 7 good songs, 7 slightly different styles of songs. Hard to see why a few others are down on this one!Free Music Review: A Collection of Solid Covers!
Hit: 3 Stars
"The Ride" is a 2004 mini CD collection of Los Lobos covers. Most tracks sound like they were Lobos originals, and the recordings are up to the band's usual standards; great production and great playing.
My clear favourite is Richard Thompson's "Shoot Out the Lights", which is given a dramatic hard-rock treatment. Also the rhythmic "Jockey Full of Bourbon" written by Tom Waits is a highlight. Though the rest of the album is good too, I won't compare it to what is on their regular albums.
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