Llegaron Los Camperos!: Nati Cano's Mariachi Los Camperos

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Llegaron Los Camperos!: Nati Cano's Mariachi Los Camperos album cover
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EDITOR'S PICK

Total Tracks: 10   Total Length: 55:54

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Chris Nickson

eMusic Contributor

04.22.11
Mariachi music that turns the genre on its head.
Label: Smithsonian Folkways

This is definitely not your usual mariachi album. Yes, the trumpets blare loudly, but the ensemble is filled out with violins and harp, making for a near-orchestral sound on these songs of love and longing. There's a tribute to José Alfredo Jimenez, arguably the greatest of the mariachi singers, that simply leaps out of the speakers. Many of the tunes are classics of the mariachi repertoire, taken from all over Mexico in this straight presentation of the band's set. Llegaron Los Camperos! shows just how the band — who have been around since the '60s — has revitalized mariachi music, framing the almost operatic vocals (a hallmark of the genre) with glistening arrangements. Just listen to the way “Jarocho II” moves into sprightly double-time. It's all capped with “Michoacán,” an epic 10-minute master class in mariachi styles with some virtuosic folk violin. If you want to know the real joy of mariachi music stripped of the schmaltz, listen here.

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Un Buen Grupo

Marroy

Yo no soy de Mexico perro mi raza es Mejicano este grupo es un de los buenos que tocanlas mas populares canciones de mexico si se los recomendo parra tener en su collecion Viva Mexico Viva su musica bonita

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Not from a Tijuana street corner

VK

And believe me, I have nothing against the Mariachis on Tijuana street corners, I LOVE them. But this? This is indeed a very rich recording. It had me thinking Broadway musical, it's nearly operatic even. The vocals are boisterous yet crisp and simply luscious. Every track is a welcome surprise.

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Nati Cano is a giant in mariachi music, having led one of its finest ensembles since 1961 (Nati Cano’s Mariachi los Camperos). He is often credited with bringing mariachi music to the forefront rather than simply acting as a backup band for singers. Llegaron los Camperos: Concert Favorites of Nati Cano is just what the title advertises: many of their best known tunes (often presented in medley form), performed and recorded in 2004. Los Camperos have a lusher sound than the standard mariachi ensemble (two trumpets, two violins, guitar, vilhuela, and guitarron), achieved by adding more violins and bringing back the harp, which was basically replaced by the far more portable guitarron. The detailed arrangements really come alive on this recording, with the band offering all the exuberance and passion expected from a good mariachi ensemble. With Llegaron los Camperos: Concert Favorites of Nati Cano, Smithsonian/Folkways has offered up another fine volume documenting the rich and disparate traditions of indigenous music, and the mariachi curious could do far worse than starting here. – Sean Westergaard

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