 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
A new recipe
|
This review first appeared in the September 9, 1994 issue of the North County Blade-Citizen (now North County Times).
Willie and Lobo represent the best of the "world beat" movement – synthesizing many different sounds and rhythms into a mellifluous whole. There are so many influences in their latest release, it's impractical to list them all. Some of the more prominent include Mexican ranchero, Brazilian pop (especially in the rhythms), flamenco and Scottish.
And yet, it's not folk music, or even a re-creation of foreign indigenous styles. Instead, it's American pop based on many other traditions. The closest comparison of another group playing in a similar vein would be early Shadowfax, but with more of a Spanish and Middle Eastern sound.
Willie Royal plays violin and Wolfgang "Lobo" Fink guitar. They round out their combo with several other session players, including Rick Braun on keyboards and Bob Feldman on bass.
The music here is played with style and aplomb; it is it's own genre, and Willie and Lobo make it into magic.