Sisters Morales
Para Gloria (Luna)Fortunately for Sisters Morales, they have “the look” — thin, not too Mexican-looking (if you know what that means), and they look good in fringe. Their pluckiness also helped them endure hard knocks from the music industry; Roberta (the blonde) is a cancer survivor. To top it off, their newest album is dedicated to their “madrecita linda, Professora Gloria Morales.” What’s not to love? Try as I might, I’m not feeling it for the duo’s third album, Para Gloria. With all their reported charisma, you’d think this bouquet of beloved Spanish and Mexican traditional songs like “Jalisco,” “Cucurrucucú Paloma,” and a Spanish rendition of “Something Stupid” (“Algo Tonto”), would sparkle. Instead, the songs pass by like road signs, one indistinguishable from the next. Musical backing on Para Gloria is strong, particularly from lead guitarist David Spencer, and the Sisters Morales sing pleasantly enough. But listening to Para Gloria‘s tunes is to remember that you’ve heard them sung better elsewhere. The Sixties’ under-appreciated Eydie Gorme and Vicki Carr, Ana Gabriel, and the incomparable Los Panchos come to mind. Austin’s Javier Palacios’ superior a cappella rendition of “Cucurrucucú Paloma” will make you cry. Either this pedestrian album is a departure from the Sisters Morales’ “part rock & roll, part honky-tonk with Spanish flair” trumpeted in press clippings, or mediocrity has risen to the top.
This article appears in November 1 • 2002.