These selections are all drawn from Brave Combo’s first three albums and also include two previously unreleased tracks.
1. Anna (R. Vatro & F. Giordano/Hollis Music BMI)
Big hit in the Fifties for the Three Suns played here as a cumbia. Original title is “El Negro Zumbon.”
2. People Are Strange (Densmore, Krieger, Manzarek, Morrison/Doors Music Company ASCAP)
Psychedelic Hora (Yiddish Polka) by Jim Morrison and the Doors. Perfect for weddings.
3. Forozinho Aperreado (Dominguinho/D.A.R.)
Brazilian Forro (pronounced Fó Ho). Composed by Dominguinhos, stellar accordionist from northeastern Brazil.
4. Lorianna (Steve Jordan)
Polka by Esteban (Steve) Jordan. South Texas musical genius, written for his daughter, Lorianna. Carl on accordion.
5. Gigi (Carl Finch/No Class Music, BMI)
Song about obsession featuring Timmy’s Tex Mex Horns, the intro is La Marseillaise (French national anthem).
6. Ice Machine in the Desert (Carl Finch/No Class Music, BMI)
Song about what is and what if. Jeffrey’s on Bari Sax.
7. El Cumbanchero (Rafael Hernandez)
A Cuban guaguanco (pronounced Wä Wän Ko’). Mitch is a one-man rhythm section.
8. O Holy Night Cha Cha Cha (Adam/D.A.R.)
No disrespect intended here (or anywhere else for that matter), it just works great as a cha cha. Merry Christmas.
9. Julida (D.A.R.)
Polka standard. This recording used on the soundtrack for Les Blank’s Polka film, In Heaven There is No Beer. Carl sings.
10. Rosemary’s Baby (Christopher Komeda)
Theme from the movie by the same name. Beautiful haunting waltz.
11. Viva Seguin (Jimenez/D.A.R.)
Popular south Texas Polka honoring Juan Seguin, Mexican hero of the Alamo.
12. Skokiaan (August Musarurwa)
Pineapple beer from South Africa. Instrumental hit for Perez Prado in the fifties. Carl on vocals.
13. La Turbina (Garza/D.A.R.)
Arrangement by Los Norteños de Nuevo Laredo, south Texas border band from the Sixties.
14. Clarinet Polka (Basile & Frey/Hal Leonard, BMI)
Jeffrey’s and Timmy’s great clarinet duet. Famous polka – everyone’s heard it at least once.
15. Watermelon Heart (Rigual/BMI)
A favorite cha cha of Arthur and Katherine Murray. Reggae drums courtesy of Dave.
16. Habanera Rock (traditional)
Well-known melody from the opera Carmen by Bizet. Let’s twist. Non-stop bass line by Lyle.
17. Let’s Trim Twist Again (Bob Scott)
A song from an exercise record. Written and originally performed by the Bob Scott Six.
18. Sixteen Tons (Merle Travis)
Tennessee Ernie Ford’s biggest hit. This arrangement is by the cumbia masters, Los Hermanos Barron. Tough guy vocal by Jeffrey.
19. La Cumparsita (Rodriguez)
One of the top four tangos of all time. Complete version here.
20. Come Back To Me (Carl Finch/No Class Music, BMI)
Polka about not knowing how good you had it. Played in Eastern European style and tempo.
21. Speak Up Mambo (Al Castellanos)
Another tune frequently used by Arthur Murray to help teach America how to dance “The Proper Way.”
22. Oaxaca (Steve Jordan)
A state in Mexico on the Pacific coast. Pronounced Wä Hä Kä. Another polka by Esteban Jordan.
23. Perfidia (Dominguez & DeVries/D.A.R.)
Big hit for The Ventures at one time.
24. The Beer Barrel Polka (Brown, Tim & Vejvoda/D.A.R.)
No comment.
Lee Ann Harris (congas) and Steve Fisher (timbales) join on track 3.
Dave Cameron plays drums, percussion and steel drum throughout tracks 9, 11, 15, 17, 19 & 23
If we missed your part of the world, please check future recordings.