There's so much great music out there, and much of it goes un-noticed, either because one can't keep up with everything, or thanks to radio one never gets introduced to anything new, or perhaps the artist is obscure. But that's why sites like AK are so great. You guys have introduced me to scores of incredible artists over the past 2 or 3 years.

Which brings me to a little birthday box that showed up last week from Ernie (luvvinvinyl). In it was a very good looking Audiokarma T-shirt from the fest, and three cds. I popped the first one in yesterday while at the pool.

I'll admit that after years of exploring music, I'm still somewhat of a neophyte. I love discovering new-to-me artists. Which thanks to Ernie, I just did - Tish Hinojosa. The album is Culture Swing. I didn't know what to expect, but what I found was very enjoyable. It's Texas/Mexican singer-songwriting, performed with a nice twang. The closest musical voice I can relate it to is Nancy Griffith.

Thank you Ernie again - both for the t-shirt and the discs. Now I can't wait to try out the other two discs you sent.

JD

Here's a description of the artist from her website:

TISH HINOJOSA (Austin, Tx.) - Born and raised in San Antonio of a large Mexican-American immigrant family, Tish was brought up in a bilingual background. Both her language and her musical tastes developed in this family background serving her well for her eventual stardom as a bilingual performer. She first came to Kerrville in 1979 as a New Folk entry and was one of the winners that year. She has since appeared on the festival eight times and toured with the festival's on-the-road shows. She co-hosted the 1995 Kerrville Music Awards with Kevin Welch, and is a member of the Kerrville Folk Festival Hall of Fame. She won Female Vocalist Awards in 1993 and 1994, Texas Album of the Year in 1994, and the Community Service Award for 1993-1994-1995. Over the past ten years Tish Hinojosa has emerged as a strong, poetic, sensual voice whose songs distill the elements of folk music and her Hispanic roots to create an intensely authentic and personal sound. Her new bilingual CD on Warner Bros. has earned loyalty from listeners with AAA radio as well as Americana and National Public Radio.



Here's an album review from Amazon:

My purchase of this CD coincided with the days that my love affair with the Lone Star State began. It remains my favorite of Hinajosa's, one of the world's finest female vocalists; and it still conjures up memories of mariachi bands, the rodeo, and a wide starlit night sky. Although her songwriting and delivery may have shown more polish in later works such as "From Taos to Tennessee" and 2002's "Sign of Truth", I think this work conveys Hinajosa's Latina roots and love for the Texan way of life much better, and showcases her voice in a simpler way, but more effectively.

The first time I heard "By the Rio Grande", I was blown away: Hinajosa sings with the strength and range of a Linda Ronstadt or Joan Baez (her heroine), but with the fragile beauty reminiscent of an Alison Krauss or Stevie Nicks. (Actually, many of these songs remind me of Krauss's first recordings with Rounder, when she wasn't afraid to belt out her own bluegrass material).

Not that Hinajosa doesn't put her own distinct stamp on these songs. It's just that if you haven't had the pleasure of hearing her yet, her talent defies easy description.

"Culture Swing" carries a good ratio of Hinajosa originals to others. Her own songs focus frequently on treasuring that which we disregard: the land, those who work the land, loves gone by, our culture as we assimilate into a larger group culture. Delightfully, she "answers" Bob Willis' classic "San Antonio Rose", in which a broken-hearted cowboy wonders where his Rose has wandered off to. Tish speculates that there might be some very good reasons for Rose to walk away in "San Antonio Romeo", her own Western swing ballad.

To echo "The Real West", listening to this CD can evoke a clean white shirt on a Saturday night, a long cold beer, a spin on the dance floor, and Hinajosa at the microphone with songs of pure Tex-Mex gold. If you can't see Hinajosa in person (and I suggest you do if you get a chance; she shines live), this CD will give you a good dose of her special recipe for Latin flavored Texas folk.

I had the pleasure of hearing Tish (for free for goodness sake!!!) at a local music festival some years ago, and I must say as good as her recordings are, her live performances are even better. Prior to that festival, I had never heard of her. There I was, walking around, munching on a Gyro when some of the smartest, most lyrically rich music simply compelled me to stay for a listen... Wow!

BTW - I too heard echoes of "Spin on a Red Brick Floor" in her voice and lyrics.

I agree that Tish Hinojosa should be added to everyone's list. I collect all kinds of music but tend to focus on Female Volcalists. As you can imagine, for every new singer worth keeping there are 10 that go into the "trade" stack. But Tish is definately a keeper! She has a smooth, "natural" sound that forces you to listen to the music. There are no gimmicks in her music, just straight ahead, no apology music. Imagine a young Joan Baez.

JD, I picked up that CD, at the Fest, just took a flyer on it, 'cause it was only a couple of dollars. Several people enjoyed listening to it, on Greg and Scott's SPEC/Infinity system. Mrs Kam, and Mrs cableguy, both, were smitten by that CD. I still have it in heavy rotation, along with Saffire and Kent Eshelman.

I'm glad you like it. I hope the others find favour with you, as well.

The first time I heard this majic voice was on the radio.

Austin's KUT-FM, had a morning "dj" of sorts named John Aielli and his show is called Eklektikos. Tish had been invited to do a short 30 minutes set of songs she learned at home, typically traditional Mexican songs. It was her, her guitar and another singer doing harmony.

The 30 minute set ended up being over 2 hours!!

Saw her again a few years later at the restaurant side of La Zona Rosa in Austin. Peter Rowan "Free Mexican Air Force" and his brothers were performing and Tish was in the audience. After a couple of bears, the Rowans convinced her to come up and sing with them. Unbelievable!

I would highly recommend her performances or her recordings!