Mariachi Music!!!

[MuseRider]

Is that what music played by a Mariachi band is called? Anyone know much about it? I know I have always liked it but last year while driving from Topeka, Kansas to Houston, Texas for my brothers memorial service I discovered about a million stations that did nothing but mariachi music and I fell in love with it. It is so happy, like Polka, in fact some of it is Polka. It kept me smiling even as I entered the city and was reminded of why I was there. The only station I can pick up here is only so so. If anyone knows enough about it could you recommend some CDs?

[pmbryant]

1. You may be referring to 'Tejano' music

It indeed has a strong resemblance to Polka. Tons of Tejano radio stations here in Texas.

:-)

Peter

[MuseRider]

4. I heard it referred

to as Tejano by a friend but he really knew no more than I so I guess he was right. Thanks!

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

2. That isn't mariachi, that is cumbias

Mexican Polkas...otherwise called ranchero music..and there are different types of cumbias

I'll come back with some names for you but a CD called El Gato Y Raton, has a great continuos play cumbia...when I am at home tonight, I will go through my labels...or PM me you address and I will send you a cumbia CD

For Tex Mex, Little Joe Y La Familia is one of the best acts...

[MuseRider]

5. Great info, thanks.

I knew some here could help me. I am fascinated by it. It is simple, happy mostly and fun to listen to. The station here is mostly a bunch of talking then something really fun comes on then more talking. I am trying to learn more Spanish but they speak too fast for me to catch enough to help me so I just wait for the tunes. Thank you so much for your offer. I can pick them up online probably. You are so good!

[DuctapeFatwa]

13. Ranchera is not cumbia. El Gato y El Raton is cumbia

The polka thing comes from when the Emperor Maxmillian brought the accordion to Mexico. It was a hit, and is now a standard instrument in Nortena.

Mariachis frequently accompany and sing backup for famous singers:

Look for Vicente Fernandez, Lola Beltran, Antonio Aguilar, Paquita la del barrio are just a few.

If you like accordion, get older Ramon Ayala stuff. Other good Nortena groups are Los Invasores (be sure you get the older ones with Lalo Mora) Los Terribles, Los Huracanes, and of course, Los Tigres del Norte.

[Intelsucks]

3. You're probably refering to Tejano music

I don't know of any bands or CD's, but it does sound like a tequila bottle got passed around at a polka fest. :)

[MuseRider]

6. Ooooooh, tequila! n/t

[Zorra]

7. Mariachis are generally wandering and/or street musicians in Mexico

and, as far as I know, mariachi is not a particular style of music. I live in Mexico and have heard mariachis play everything from Proud Mary to Malaguena and many different styles of Mexican music.

Sometimes I jam with them, many of them are really very good musicians.

[MuseRider]

9. I loved my trip

to Mexico. My brother wanted to move there and had he lived he had a place all ready for him in Jalisco(I think that is where it was, at the base of Popo). Where are you? He took me and my two sons on the train from Nuevo Laredo to Mexico City. It was wonderful.

[MuseRider]

8. I answered each one

of you but my answers do not appear to me but the post count tells me they are there! New computer, working out the bugs. Do you all see them?

on edit OOPS they just showed up. Sorry!

[AGiordino]

10. Musica Ranchera

n/t

[nini]

12. Yep... that's what it's called around my neck of the woods

Ranchero

[absyntheNsugar]

11. It is Polka!

A lot of immigrants to Texas and Mexico in the late 1800's were from Germany, and they brought their music with them. Hence, the polka style. Don't beleive me? Linda Ronstandt. Does that sound like a Spanish name to ya?