#los lobos

Près de trois ans après l’assassinat de Fernando Villavicencio, la justice équatorienne a décidé de s’attaquer aux commanditaires présumés. Samedi, le parquet a annoncé l’inculpation de sept personnes, dont l’ancien ministre de l’Intérieur José Serrano, pour leur rôle dans ce meurtre qui avait ébranlé le pays à la veille de l’élection présidentielle de 2023. Un candidat…

Song Review: Steve Earle and Los Lobos - “Volver A Celaya”

Though it presents as a massive downer, “Volver A Celaya” is ultimately a song of hope, or at least a roadmap back to a time when America put its best face to the world.

Steve Earle wrote and sings the song of leaving the United States under duress from the imagined contemporary perspective of Hispanic men he framed houses with in his pre-music days. Los Lobos provides the music and Steve Berlin produced the first of what might be more songs from the new collaborative.

Two of our boys went to fight in Afghanistan/one of ’em didn’t come home/they were raised to believe in this country/that I barely recognize now, Earle sings over Lobos’ breezy-but-wistful, south-of-the border soundtrack.

“We had an absolute blast working on this special song with (Earle), as there are few songwriters extant who can say so much by simply painting the picture of life under the current regime,” Berlin said in a statement. “We look forward to future collaborations.”

As depressing as “Volver A Celaya” is, particularly when David Hidalgo’s accordion adds extra melancholy to Earle’s lyrics, it’s a powerful reminder of what America was and, it is hoped, can be again.

Grade card: Steve Earle and Los Lobos - “Volver A Celaya” - A

EPIC ALBUM COVER #432

Los Lobos - La pistola y el corazón

Released: 1988 (Slash)

EPIC ALBUM COVER #425

Los Lobos - How Will the Wolf Survive?

Released: 1984 (Slash)