The Complete Arista Recordings

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Cat No: RLGM4003892PMI

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Release Date: 18 September 2015

Label: Real Gone Music

Packaging Type: Jewel Case

No of Units: 1

Barcode: 848064003892

Genres: Country Americana

Description
King of Conjunto Music and sideman to the stars, Flaco Jiménez is responsible for taking the humble, much-maligned accordion and making it hip. His early regional recordings for a multitude of labels including Corona, D.L.B., Norteño, Dina and Joey made him a local music legend in the San Antonio area. But, after being tapped by fellow Texas icon Doug Sahm to play on the landmark album Doug Sahm and Band, Flaco quickly became the accordionist of choice for everybody from Ry Cooder to Buck Owens to the Rolling Stones. His celebrated status among fellow musicians did not escape notice from the major labels. Warner Bros. signed him for 1992's Partners, and Arista signed him shortly thereafter, at first attempting to make a crossover country star out of the conjunto master. Flaco Jiménez, his 1994 self-titled debut for the label, featured such guest stars as Raul Malo of the Mavericks (singing lead on "Seguro Que Hell Yes") and Radney Foster (singing a duet with Flaco on "Jealous Heart"), supplementing Flaco's core band of Oscar Tellez on bajo sexto and vocals, Fred Ojeda on vocals, Max Baca on bass and Flaco's son David on drums. Perhaps due to its mix of country and conjunto styles, the album didn't chart, but it did win a Grammy for Best Mexican-American/Tejano Performance. It's also prime Flaco, as the tension between the country and conjunto stylings actually makes for a very engaging and intriguing album. When it came time to make 1996's Buena Suerte Señorita, however, all thoughts of building a bridge between Nashville and San Antonio were out the window, and Flaco and his core band settled in to make, as co-producer Cameron Randle put it, "a 100% turbo conjunto record." (Another choice quote from Randle: "How long does it take to listen to this record? To paraphrase Flaco, about a six-pack and a half.") Fan favorite "Borracho #1" leads off the album, followed by one propulsive, kick-ass conjunto song after another, highlighted by the title tune that features a rare solo vocal turn by Flaco. Both of these albums have long been out of print, and for this Real Gone reissue, we've added liner notes by Randy Poe that feature quotes from Flaco taken from Poe's fresh interview with the legend. Essential stuff, and a key, missing part of the Flaco Jiménez discography!
Tracklisting