In the liner notes of Tish Hinojosa's newest Rounder Records release, The Best of Tish Hinojosa Live, she describes how she got into the music business 20 years ago in hopes of "being the next Linda Ronstadt."
While that didn't happen, Hinojosa did become a favorite on the coffeehouse and small club circuit, singing her tuneful and appealing English and Spanish country-western-folk songs from her former home in Taos, N.M. to the country music mecca of Nashville.
The seventeen songs on this album were recorded at a concert Hinojosa and her band recorded in Austin, Texas in August 2002.
The sound quality on the disc is top notch. Hinojosa's voice is loud and clear and each instrument - guitar, fiddle, conga drum, etc. - is mixed well and while you are aware she is performing before an audience, their clapping, etc. is not distracting as it can be on some live albums.
Hinojosa's lyrics often reflect her personal experiences as a Mexican-American, her views on life, and the state of the planet.
Memories of her early days on the road are recalled in the breezy country-folk of "Taos to Tennessee." It also demonstrates how hard it can be for a new artist to leave familiar territory and venture into the fast-paced and competitive world of Nashville.
Mountain sage, desert pine
How I hate to leave it all behind
Southern ways are new to me
For a song it's where I want to be.
"Bandera de Sol (Flag of the Sun)" is an earnest call to all nations to end their quarreling, lay down their weapons and come together as one people and one planet. Hinojosa sings the lyrics partly in Spanish and partly in English.
On the bittersweet "Donde Voy (Where I Go)," she sings of an immigrant who leaves his love behind in order to find work en El Norte. The subject matter brought to mind the Los Lobos song, "Tony y Maria" featured on 2002's Good Morning Aztlan.
The trials facing Hispanic migrant workers - particularly the adverse health effects caused by the pesticides they inhale or get on their skin -- are the subject of her 1990 protest folk song, "Something in the Rain." Clearly she has a heart for the downtrodden and oppressed.
Using the same immigrant theme, "West Side of Town" is about her own family and the sacrifices they made to leave Mexico and come to their new home in San Antonio. The brush and snare beat, accompanied by the fiddle and Mexican accordion sound particularly nice. Her heart is really in this very personal and upbeat song about starting over.
The poppy folk tune "Roses Around My Feet" is a song that originally appeared on Hinojosa's Sign of Truth album. The song was also featured on a 2001 episode of "Dawson's Creek."
The swinging country of "I'm Not Through Loving You Yet" reflects her Texas roots and is the sort of song that would sound good in a hoppin' roadhouse somewhere out on the dusty plains.
"Cumbia Polka y Mas" is a lively and fun song that ends a terrific album.
It's clear that Hinojosa is an articulate, gifted and thoughtful singer-songwriter who deserves even wider recognition as singer, writer and musician.
If you're looking for a good introduction to Hinojosa's music, I highly recommend The Best of Tish Hinojosa Live. All of her best songs are here and I guarantee that you won't be disappointed by what you hear.
4 tocks
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