One of the most enjoyable entries in the A Night In world music series is this fantastic collection of norteño, conjunto, banda, mariachi, and ranchera songs from Mexico's widely varied regional traditions. Drawing on recordings made between 1958 and 2004, this disc offers a nearly perfect mix of familiar songs and worthy obscurities. On the familiar side are
Pedro Vargas' simply gorgeous rendition of "Cielito Lindo" from 1969,
Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán's equally fine "Jarabe Tapatio" (a melody known in the U.S. as "The Mexican Hat Dance"), and an OK-but-not-great performance of "Obra las Olas" by Juan S. Garrida; you may not know the name of that last one, but you'll recognize the tune immediately. There is also, inevitably, a rendition of "La Bamba" (in the traditional slow, charmingly overwrought style) by Conjunto Jarocho Medellin de Lino Chavez. The less familiar material is, in many cases, even more fun: the creamy cowboy harmonies of
Trio los Panchos' "Sin Ti"; the rather strange and raucous "El Sinaloense" by La Banda Sinaloense "El Recodo" de Cruz Lizarra; a wonderfully goofy, organ-driven version of "Perfidia" featuring singer Lupita Palomera. Few compilations summarize the multifarious pleasures of Mexican music as nicely as this one does. ~ Rick Anderson