Lush and evocative, this is top of the line mariachi music; shades of old Mexico brought up to date; beautifully orchestrated, played, and sung by Los Angeles-based Mariachi Los Camperos, founded by Nate Cano, a third generation mariachi musician from Jalisco; current bandleader Jesus “Chuy” Guzman, got his chops playing the bars of Tijuana; world treasure from Folkways; RIYL Norteno music

No FCC's; Favorite tracks: 2, 4, 8,10, 12, 13, 14

1—El Pasajero – 3:51-- upbeat and happy; a harmonized shout with horns blaring

*2—Cuando Yo Quiera Has de Volver –3:16-- slower with harp flourishes and impassioned solo tenor singer

3—Maria Bonita –3:42-- fast waltz with trumpet refrains and solo tenor

*4 –Veinte anos –3:26—solo tenor sings ballad with lots of horn flourishes and running guitar beat

5 –Mexicali Rose/South of the Border –3:30—movie music sounding instrumental; chorus comes in partway through

6—Ya Lo Pagaras Con Dios –2:51 – another ranchera complete with impassioned tenor

7—Popurri Boleros –5:20-- dramatic horn solo leads off; solo tenor sings to lush accompaniment; opens out to close harmony chorus and lots of harp flourishes

*8—Pajaro Cu –5:17—bird recordings lead off with sustained note under tenor; harp, trills, and trumpets create a great soundscape with a melody to boot; from Veracruz

9—Estrellita—4:35 – very different sound here; more like movie music; lots of harp

*10—Vivir Sin Ti –3:10—beat picks up in a huapango; lovely horn flourishes

11—Popurri Maria Grever –6:12-- medley of songs by the first internationally famous female Mexican composer

*12 –Espana Cani –2:41 – dramatic Iberian sound

*13-- La Ultima Cancion –2:26 – so romantic!

**14—Popurri Fuentes –5:46 – classic mariachi