Tish Hinojosa
After the Fair (Varese Sarabande)A new recording from Tish Hinojosa feels like an unexpected note from an old friend, something to savor in the anticipation of affectionate satisfaction. So goes After the Fair, Hinojosa’s delightful reminder that she’s first and foremost a folk-pop balladeer and songwriter, plus, by happy coincidence, a Latina fluent in Spanish. That gives her the facility to translate Paul McCartney’s “A Certain Softness” as the tender “Me Captivo con Su Mirar,” compose the charmer “Cobblestones” with her son, and be inspired by her daughter on “Infinity Times Ten.” After the Fair also serves as an aural diary of the last decade Hinojosa spent in Germany and tints the title track with a mild Euro-folk flair, while such songs as the ukulele-led “I Saw an Alien” brim with good humor. Likewise, Hinojosa’s always in good company with Woody Guthrie, rendering his “Deportee” as “Los Deportados,” and co-authoring “Tu Cancion” with longtime musical accompanist Marvin Dykhuis.
This article appears in Ted-dy Cruz-er.