4 Aces (Reprise/Warner Bros.)
There’s a reason Tex-Mex cuisine is popular. Its scrubby components are
readily available and its possibilities are many. Tex-Mex gets little respect,
though, often regarded with the disdain gourmets give sour cream on enchiladas.
But the combinations are pleasing and it doesn’t take a great chef to make a
good taco, which, Doug Sahm once told me, should have “plenty of grease.” Well,
bienvenidos, Se�or Sahm — it’s been four years since the Texas
Tornados’ last release and their new album 4 Aces, well, it’s… Aw,
hell. I’m supposed to talk about the absolutely brilliant Tornados, about the
amazing Doug Sahm and his legendary compadres Flaco Jimenez, Augie Meyers, and
Freddie Fender. About how 4 Aces is as good as their first record, and
how the songwriting is as dynamic as its stellar cast of performers. Ideally, I
should be able to impart in each reader the cultural importance of this left
wing of Tejano, and that the Texas Tornados may be the most successful
near-supergroup ever. I ought to paint an elegant portrait of these aging
vaquero romanceros, wooing listeners with crystalline vocals, yearning
harmonies, liltingly danceable melodies, and a sound so distinctive that it
defines the term Tex-Mex. But I can’t say all that. I can only say this, mi
amigo, musica de Tejas es superior.
[[questiondown]]Comprende?
HHHH — Margaret Moser
This article appears in July 5 • 1996 and July 5 • 1996 (Cover).