The Carlos Brothers, "La Bamba" c/w "It's Time To Go," Del-Fi 4145 (rel. 8/1960)
The Carlos Brothers were only half-brothers, but that was too complex a concept to lay on 1960 audiences. Jimmy Carlos and Pete Antoniano had the same mom but different pops. Part Spanish and part Filipino, the boys identified as Chicano and are part of a grand network of Latino rock 'n' rollers in East LA. Many of them found a home with Bob Keene's Del-Fi and Donna Records.
They first recorded for Keene as The Shadows but changed to their sibling name for three subsequent 45s. Aeons back we played their 1959 "Come On and Dance." It's somewhere on Fascistbook if you're feeling brave.
The death of Ritchie Valens in February 1959 was a blow for the Latino musical community and for Bob Keene's business. The brash young Valens had gotten a few hits, including the double-sided smash "Donna" and "La Bamba." His passing cut short a promising musical career and a top artist in Keene's stable. He, perhaps, decided to have these brothers do a big-sounding revival of "La Bamba," which became an iconic Latino rock 'n' roll song from the moment of its release.
Keene used the original backing tracks of the Valens version and expanded it with additional Latin percussion and instruments. Strings, even! The brothers sing with fervor (and solid harmonies) on a rousing rendition that builds on the appeal of the Valens original. Strings double Valens' guitar solo on the instrumental break.
Though as familiar a song as "Happy Birthday" and "Jingle Bells," "La Bamba" is always appealing, and this fancy version is a tribute to Valens and the world of Latino music in Los Angeles.
Six-string bass gives the bottom end of this lid a real kick, which I imagine blasted from cars that cruised Whittier Blvd. on a hot Saturday night. The last of The Carlos Brothers' five singles for Del-Fi, it was a fitting finale.
It was fun to hear these and what an interesting story--thanks for the post, Frank! This version of "La Bamba" sounds so much more frantic than the original to my ear. Wish Keene hadn't dubbed over the original tracks out of respect for Valens and his family. Why not just re-record the whole thing if you want to release another go at the song? Maybe to save money or just to capitalize on the success of the original? The Valens version was warmer and purer. To each his own, I guess. The flip side ballad was nice, though.
ReplyDeleteValens' "La Bamba" is much cleaner and clearer than this version. I'm glad it made money in its re-release. Hopefully Valens' family saw some $. "It's Time To Go" is a nice doo-wopper (sans the doo-wopping) rock-a-ballad with good Everly Bros.—like harmonies and verses.
ReplyDeleteWith strings!
ReplyDelete