Virgil

Volume 1
El Toro [2009]
La Orquesta de Pablo Beltran Ruiz : Mexican Rock And Roll – Gloria Rios : El Relojito – Orquesta De Cuco Valtierra : Only You – Los Lunaticos : Ya Vistete Kitty – Orquesta De Venus Rey : Al Compas Del Rock – Los Llopis : Basta Arturo – Las Supersecas : El Rock De La Carcel – La Orquesta Royale Y Sus Cantantes : Por Lo Que vivo – Daniel Santos : Baila Conmigo – The Goya Cats : El Gato Del Express – La Orquesta De Pepe Luis : El Rock Universitario – Ricardo “Rebelde” Lemus y Sus Rocks : Arroz – Los Xochimilcas : Xochimilcas Rock – Los Lunaticos : Donde La Pescaste – Gloria Rios : Es Un Golfo – Los Supersecas : Te Quiero, Te Adoro Y Te Necesito – Los Lunaticos : El Reloj – Ricardo “Rebelde” Lemus y Sus Rocks : Perro Callejero – Juan Garcia Esquivel y Su Orquesta : Politecnico Rock And Roll – The Goya Cats : Mezcal – Los Trincas : Nena – Gloria Rios : La Mecedora – Los Xochimilcas : Rock Rollin’ Rock – Gloria Rios : Jazzeando “En Vivo” Uniseed – Los Supersecas : Tutti Frutti

By 1955 the rock’nroll craze hit the world. Separated by just one border, Mexico was among the first to succumb. This compilation gathers some of the first Mexican musicians that tried to play this music.
If some are just big bands or hotel / dance orchestra trying to jump on the bandwagon and are not very good, the carefull listener will find a couple of little gems. Gloria Rios, featured here with four songs, has a good Bill Haley like rocker and shows a good understanding of the genre. The other songs are tamer but quite good too. Los Lunaticos can play both wild and melodic stuff. One of my favorite band is Los Llopis, that manage to emulate Haley’s sound and that’s too bad they only have one song. Another highlight are the Goyo Cats that play two hot instrumentals with sax, guitar and steel guitar. You’ll also find hot guitar and piano solos but drawned in average material.
Next to original material, you’ll hear Spanish covers of Elvis’ Hound Dog, Jailhouse Rock, Tutti Frutti and I Want You, I Need You I Love You executed with various degrees of success.
An interesting compilation but probably more for curious listeners than the casual rock’n’roll fan..
Fred “Virgil” Turgis

El Toro Records ETCD1015
Elvis – I’m Left, You’re Right, She’s Gone – Janis – Ooby-Dooby – Elvis – Milk Cow Blues Boogy (sic) – Janis – Let’s elope Baby – Elvis – Baby Let’s Play House – Janis – o¬ne More Year To Go – Elvis – You’re A Heartbreaker – Janis – Barefoot Baby – Elvis – Mistery Train – Elvis – Good Rockin’ Tonight – Janis – Will you, Willyum – Elvis – Tryin’ to Get to You – Elvis – I’ll Never Let You Go, Little Darlin’ – Janis – Little Bit – Elvis – How Do You Think I Feel? – Elvis – Anyway You Want Me (That’s How I Will Be) – Janis – Drugstore Rock And Roll – Elvis – Paralyzed -Elvis – I’m Counting o¬n You – Janis – My Boy Elvis – Elvis – Anyplace Is Paradise – Elvis – Playing for Keeps – Janis – Little Bit (Alternative Take) – Elvis – My Baby’s Gone (I’m Left, You’re Right, She’s Gone – alt – Elvis – First In Line – Elvis – How’s The World Treating You

The original 10” lp is one of the rarest rock’n’roll record and is in high demand by collectors. It has been released by RCA in South Africa but only one day after its release, Colonel Parker called to take it back from the shelves cause nobody performs with Elvis and it was titled “Janis and Elvis” instead of “Elvis and Janis”. El Toro has added 18 tracks to the 8 originals but don’t expect any unissued stuff. Let’s put it frankly, if you’re a hardcore rockabilly fan you probably own this songs (and probably in more than one format) but if you’re a newcomer it’s the perfect introduction to discover this two great stars and it’ll give you the will to dig deeper. It also features an informative booklet and a fine repro of the original artwork.

Fred “Virgil” Turgis