Tejano News



Los Chamacos

By Javier Becerra
Jaime y Los Chamacos are finally giving the fans what they want.

September 17 marked the release of their highly anticipated first live album.
The Freddie Records recording artist's eleventh CD is an accordion-packed
jam session recorded earlier this year in Houston.

The disc, entitled "En Vivo... Puro Party Live!", is exactly that.
Eleven selections on the album are live.  Also included are four previously
unreleased bonus studio tracks.

"En Vivo..." opens up with Ramon Ayala's classic "Un Puno De Tierra."
Versions of conjunto favorites "Mil Copas" and "Pajaro Negro" electrify the
crowd with their familiar tunes, along with Los Chamacos' added flavor.
But it's the group's remake of Tony De La Rosa's "Cancion Del Preso" that
really showcases the band's talent.

The song is ripped open with a barrage from Roel Joslin on the bajo sexto
and Jaime De Anda on the accordion.   After a short freestyle jam, Los
Chamacos perform the tune with traditional conjunto sound.

Released as the album's first single, it has been receiving much airplay
and continues to steadily move up the charts.

At a recent CD release party at Club Sante Fe, the crowd was obviously
exited about  the band's new material.  New songs were received with as
many shouts and screams as were old hits.

Jaime y Los Chamacos have been a part of the Tejano music scene for many
years.  However, it wasn't until 1994 and their gold-selling compact disc
"?Como Te Llamas Paloma?" that the band was pushed to the forefront of
among the top Tejano music performers.

The title cut from the album was a huge hit and was heard on Tejano radio
stations throughout Texas.

Today Los Chamacos find themselves headlining concerts all over California.
The band will continue to promote "En Vivo," performing cuts from the album
at performances.

If the crowd response at the CD release party is any indication of the
larger picture, Los Chamacos will continue to be a force in Tejano music.