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Calexico — El Picador
Album: Hot Rail
Avg rating:
7.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 977









Released: 2000
Length: 3:08
Plays (last 30 days): 0
(instrumental)
Comments (96)add comment
SUPERB!!! I had never heard of them, prior to RP, Now, I like several of their tunes! Thank You RP!
 ce wrote:


Great googly moogly! The unmitigated audacity of quoting Zappa on a Calexico tune.
I love RP.


Thank you for that iconic Zappa 
 pailz wrote:
Is that a real poncho? I mean, is that a mexican poncho, or is that a Sears poncho? beelzebubba wrote:
I feel like throwing on my rainbow poncho, sticking one of those thin cigars in the corner of my mouth, and grimacing like Clint in the mirror...... :D
 

Great googly moogly! The unmitigated audacity of quoting Zappa on a Calexico tune.
I love RP.
 pailz wrote:
Is that a real poncho? I mean, is that a mexican poncho, or is that a Sears poncho? 
 
hmmm, no fooling?
Love the horns. Alway have loved horns.
 misterbearbaby wrote:

Just the boots- nothing else?

 
Nothing can  top a good pair of cowboy boots.
excellent show at the Barbican, London, last month Gabi Moreno should gig with them all of the time.
Trumpets
Crap ! Since I missed their concert two weeks ago I can't listen to them anymore... snif, snif... I can't believe they were so close and I missed them !!! Stupid bug that kept me from walking for days and kept me from attending the concert ! 

Still 7 for the song, I'll move it back to a 9 when I'm over my disappointment ;)  
 lemonfergie wrote:
I agree that there are many way better "authentic" Mexican bands out there but personally I super dig the western vibe of this one! Make me want to dance here in the kitchen making dinner with my cowboy boots on!

 
Just the boots- nothing else?


      quirky Tex Mex - Calexico ...who else? !!   {#Cowboy} ...adorable
 toterola wrote:

I couldn't have said it better myself. Like a ripple in a still pond (sorry Jerry!), an injustice done in a faraway place reverberates far beyond its intended conclusion.

I'm afraid we as a nation are going to find out a lot more about this in the next few years.

Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, the African continent, China, Mexico, Cuba, Haiti, Central and South America. All places that the American Empire has trifled with people like they were animals.

And now the worm has turned. We truly live in interesting times.{#Crowded}

 
Take huh? what a droll little marxist idea that is.
El Picoadore Pomidore!
Really scary song  {#Lol}
 maxmox wrote:

Then why'd ya join up 6 years later, hhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmm?
 
To say "Thank you"? RP is a *free* radio, you don't need to join in order to listen... Hmmm?
 Q-bo wrote:
I know you love Calexico, Bill, but could you please please please get rid of this song? It seems to come up everytime I listen to RP. There are hundreds of great sounding Mexican bands you should take a look at, that way you get good Mexican music instead of playing stuff that sounds like a complete stereotype of something they saw in an old John Wayne Western.

By the way, I love RP! I might be one of the first and most loyal international listeners since 2000!

 
Then why'd ya join up 6 years later, hhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmm?
I can name this tune by the first drum beat!  Favorite band ...( in my top 5)
 Q-bo wrote:
I know you love Calexico, Bill, but could you please please please get rid of this song? It seems to come up everytime I listen to RP. There are hundreds of great sounding Mexican bands you should take a look at, that way you get good Mexican music instead of playing stuff that sounds like a complete stereotype of something they saw in an old John Wayne Western.

By the way, I love RP! I might be one of the first and most loyal international listeners since 2000!

 



I agree that there are many way better "authentic" Mexican bands out there but personally I super dig the western vibe of this one! Make me want to dance here in the kitchen making dinner with my cowboy boots on!
I know you love Calexico, Bill, but could you please please please get rid of this song? It seems to come up everytime I listen to RP. There are hundreds of great sounding Mexican bands you should take a look at, that way you get good Mexican music instead of playing stuff that sounds like a complete stereotype of something they saw in an old John Wayne Western.

By the way, I love RP! I might be one of the first and most loyal international listeners since 2000!

Outnumbered militarily and with many of its large cities occupied, Mexico could not defend itself and was also faced with internal divisions. It had little choice but to make peace on any terms. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed on February 2, 1848, by American diplomat Nicholas Trist and Mexican plenipotentiary representatives Luis G. Cuevas, Bernardo Couto, and Miguel Atristain, ended the war and gave the U.S. undisputed control of Texas, established the U.S.-Mexican border of the Rio Grande River, and ceded to the United States the present-day states of California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, most of Arizona and Colorado, and parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Wyoming. In return, Mexico received US $18,250,000< ($461,725,000 today)-less than half the amount the U.S. had attempted to offer Mexico for the land before the opening of hostilities< and the U.S. agreed to assume $3.25-million ($82,225,000 today) in debts that the Mexican government owed to U.S. citizens...

this was BEFORE...smart bombs...laser guided munitions...and tactical nuclear weapons...

amigo...

 strange_brew00 wrote:
i love calexico! this song makes me wish it was warmer and i was surfin near the mexican/cali border. ole!
 
It's 101 today here (in Houston).Warm enough for you now?  {#Fire} 


 juanrico wrote:

Words or ideas, Yodasan? The United States does not provide jobs not even for their own people... Can you see unemployment in your country? The mortgage payments crisis? The nationalization of private debt? Access to health is not guaranteed nor is free of charge, either, for its own citizens. The vast majority of Mexicans is not seeking U.S. citizenship, is seeking a job. Much of the imbalances in the world have their origin in the world's richest countries. Some U.S. Citizens think they give a lot to the world when they  actually take resources from the poorest countries of the world. U.S. structure is based on the predation of labor, natural services and poverty in southern countries. That's how the world is organized: it´s called globalization. Never heard of Lila Down or Kevin Johansen? Those are good examples of the great mixture and cultural mosaique that we are now. We are one, and we are called to change past paradigms.
Kind regards from Mexico City.
JR

 
I couldn't have said it better myself. Like a ripple in a still pond (sorry Jerry!), an injustice done in a faraway place reverberates far beyond its intended conclusion.

I'm afraid we as a nation are going to find out a lot more about this in the next few years.

Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, the African continent, China, Mexico, Cuba, Haiti, Central and South America. All places that the American Empire has trifled with people like they were animals.

And now the worm has turned. We truly live in interesting times.{#Crowded}
Anything Calexico
 yodasan_magoo wrote:


How would that be?  Because we provide them jobs, free education, free healthcare, US citizenship...a better life?  Seems like the US does a hell of a lot to help that country.  At what point does a country need to start taking responsibility for their actions, problems, and future?
 
Words or ideas, Yodasan? The United States does not provide jobs not even for their own people... Can you see unemployment in your country? The mortgage payments crisis? The nationalization of private debt? Access to health is not guaranteed nor is free of charge, either, for its own citizens. The vast majority of Mexicans is not seeking U.S. citizenship, is seeking a job. Much of the imbalances in the world have their origin in the world's richest countries. Some U.S. Citizens think they give a lot to the world when they  actually take resources from the poorest countries of the world. U.S. structure is based on the predation of labor, natural services and poverty in southern countries. That's how the world is organized: it´s called globalization. Never heard of Lila Down or Kevin Johansen? Those are good examples of the great mixture and cultural mosaique that we are now. We are one, and we are called to change past paradigms.
Kind regards from Mexico City.
JR



Kind of umh.. Californian Spaniard?

A Spaniard living in California riding his Spanish Horse 


 bindi wrote:

At one time, people depended on it flowing a little further than it does now. 

I kind of don't understand your statement - are you saying that the state of Colorado owns it because of the name, or because of it's proximity to you?   I don't think Idaho has the right to dam it (you know, theoretically) and hold it back from states downstream, or Colorado, or Utah, or Arizona . . . yet from what I have heard (this may have changed by now) it is pretty much sucked dry my the time that arroya crosses the border - tough luck Mexico, right?          Eat what, sand?

I just feel that we as a country,help make Mexico a place that makes people need to escape.

 

How would that be?  Because we provide them jobs, free education, free healthcare, US citizenship...a better life?  Seems like the US does a hell of a lot to help that country.  At what point does a country need to start taking responsibility for their actions, problems, and future?

One of my favorite bands. 
 mojoman wrote:
Um, the Colorado rises not far from my house, and the last time I checked it's right here smack in the middle of good ol' Colorado, USA.
 
At one time, people depended on it flowing a little further than it does now. 

I kind of don't understand your statement - are you saying that the state of Colorado owns it because of the name, or because of it's proximity to you?   I don't think Idaho has the right to dam it (you know, theoretically) and hold it back from states downstream, or Colorado, or Utah, or Arizona . . . yet from what I have heard (this may have changed by now) it is pretty much sucked dry my the time that arroya crosses the border - tough luck Mexico, right?          Eat what, sand?

I just feel that we as a country,help make Mexico a place that makes people need to escape.


Calexico - 04 by ~photo-grafitti
Harmony Gerber  ©2010 ~photo-grafitti

Calexico
Wiltern Theatre
Los Angeles, CA
12.20.2009


Love them horns! 

I need some more chips and salsa por favor
It's heard less than it used to be, but I've always liked the exico part of this band most.
i love calexico! this song makes me wish it was warmer and i was surfin near the mexican/cali border. ole!
jpfueler wrote:
Mexico's problem is not the evil USA "stealing the water" that flows out of the USA into a very small portion of the Mexican nation. It is a series of governments that have plundered the nation and wastes a very rich nation's resources. Mexico has absolutely no reason for it's largest industries and exports to be people forced to leave so they can send Dollars home and illicit drugs. Correctly run (with a bit of help in the attitudes of the people as well) Mexico could be a damn rich nation that wouldn't have to Fence it's southern border to help prevent competition to it's citizens trying to sneak over the northern border. Notice how we are Evil for wanting a border fence yet Mexico has made damn sure it has one on it's own souther border.
Sadly true. Every year my daughter goes to Tacate, Mexico, to help build houses. The area exists in great poverty when a mere 5 miles away one finds good, middle-class housing in the San Diego area. Can't blame it on terrain, weather, or anything else. The only difference is the form of government and the attitude of the people.
FeydBaron wrote:
I think his point is that courtesy of cities like Phoenix, Tucson, Los Angeles, and San Diego as well as agricultural areas using canals to divert water from the Colorado River, it no longer flows to an ocean outlet in Mexico like it historically has (the Gulf of California in this case). And because the Colorado river has a significant number of dams, even the worst floods aren't likely get the water much past Yuma. Besides, the most popular tourist destination on the Colorado river isn't even in the state of the same name.
Mexico's problem is not the evil USA "stealing the water" that flows out of the USA into a very small portion of the Mexican nation. It is a series of governments that have plundered the nation and wastes a very rich nation's resources. Mexico has absolutely no reason for it's largest industries and exports to be people forced to leave so they can send Dollars home and illicit drugs. Correctly run (with a bit of help in the attitudes of the people as well) Mexico could be a damn rich nation that wouldn't have to Fence it's southern border to help prevent competition to it's citizens trying to sneak over the northern border. Notice how we are Evil for wanting a border fence yet Mexico has made damn sure it has one on it's own souther border.
mojoman wrote:
Huh? You think the Colorado rises somewhere else--Idaho, maybe?
I think his point is that courtesy of cities like Phoenix, Tucson, Los Angeles, and San Diego as well as agricultural areas using canals to divert water from the Colorado River, it no longer flows to an ocean outlet in Mexico like it historically has (the Gulf of California in this case). And because the Colorado river has a significant number of dams, even the worst floods aren't likely get the water much past Yuma. Besides, the most popular tourist destination on the Colorado river isn't even in the state of the same name.
Now we are are talking, after Jesse Cook - Red this is like heaven! Oscar
"I think I'm in love". "Here leezard, leezard".
Its amazing how people rave about this music and then trash Santana. Both musicians are great on their own merits.
¡Calexico es de puta madre!
Man alive, what a great set. Kottke, Landreth, Calexico. Keep it coming Bill.
mocowbell wrote:
...capture the feeling of the southwest such that I can almost smell the tamales.
Mmmmm... tamales...
I thought I'd heard about every version of this tune but this slower studio track surprised me. Those two trumpets and the pedal steel capture the feeling of the southwest such that I can almost smell the tamales. These guys are awesome live.
Gnarlito wrote:
This is either moderately funny or moderately sad, depending on whether or not you are serious...
Huh? You think the Colorado rises somewhere else--Idaho, maybe?
This music's great. Reminds me of the soundtracks for the old "spaghetti" westerns from the 60's that I love...
I like!
mojoman wrote:
Um, the Colorado rises not far from my house, and the last time I checked it's right here smack in the middle of good ol' Colorado, USA.
This is either moderately funny or moderately sad, depending on whether or not you are serious...
Beautiful :sunny.gif: :sunny.gif:
bindi wrote:
Researching some of their lyrics, I was sensitized to how some of the world is cheating Mexico out of their own (natural) resources (like Colorado River water).
Um, the Colorado rises not far from my house, and the last time I checked it's right here smack in the middle of good ol' Colorado, USA.
Saw this the other day: https://www.wellesley.edu/PublicAffairs/Releases/2005/082605.html Thanks to RP and Calexico I was somewhat aquainted with this type of music !
Yes . . .maybe, but they really have opened the door to many of us Wonderbread-bred Americanos to real Mexican music, much the same way Elvis did for R&B and Paul Simon and Peter Gabriel did for African music. After hearing "Sunken Waltz" from their (MUST HAVE!) "Feast of Wire" CD, I have been enticed to listen more Mexican - or Mexican influenced musicians. Researching some of their lyrics, I was sensitized to how some of the world is cheating Mexico out of their own (natural) resources (like Colorado River water). If anyone can turn us on to the music of Mexico, and raise our awareness about what a abused, neglected country it is, for me, these guys top the list. I just wish they played closer to me. Via con Dios masterhead wrote:
Ok with out the emoticons, I believe that this music is a hollow copycat of "mexican' music. It continues the wrong vision of mexican music and Mexico itself in the States. The intentions may be good, the musicians may be very talented but the overall result is frankly disturbing. There are musicians that I respect and have done a great job integrating different ethnic music into their own. But calexico is not one of them. Sorry Greg.
masterhead wrote:
I believe that this music is a hollow copycat of "mexican' music. It continues the wrong vision of mexican music and Mexico itself in the States. The intentions may be good, the musicians may be very talented but the overall result is frankly disturbing. There are musicians that I respect and have done a great job integrating different ethnic music into their own. But calexico is not one of them.
"Hollow copycat"? No, I'd call it an American infusion of Latin sound. When they perform live in Tucson, they bring a fantastic, authentic mariachi band along. Seeing as they call Tucson home, we're an hour from the Mexican border, and 60% of the population speaks Spanish here, do you think they might have plenty of influence (and validity) to draw upon yet still have room to develop their own sound? Must something be entirely different in order for it to be original, otherwise it's a hollow copycat? If that's so, I'm afraid the last original band came and went 30 years ago. AMG puts it into perspective quite nicely:
Calexico, a Tucson collective of musicians focused around Joey Burns and John Convertino, forged an eclectic identity through their exploration of Southwestern culture. Composer Ennio Morricone's spaghetti Westerns as well as Portuguese fado; Afro-Peruvian music; and '50s and '60s jazz, country, and surf music all factored into Calexico's music.
If you don't like them, I can appreciate and understand that. But to assert that they're hollow copycats continuing the wrong vision of Mexico is completely misinformed. Or at least your vision is significantly different from a lot of others'. Per usual, excellent tune from the boys.
WE WANT MORE!
masterhead wrote:
I believe that this music is a hollow copycat of "mexican' music. It continues the wrong vision of mexican music and Mexico itself in the States. The intentions may be good, the musicians may be very talented but the overall result is frankly disturbing. There are musicians that I respect and have done a great job integrating different ethnic music into their own. But calexico is not one of them. Sorry Greg.
See your point, Masterhead, but I'm digging it. Now a shot of Patron would go nicely with this.... and don't tell me it isn't *real* tequila because it goes down nice. Hmmmmm sort of a parallel there, eh?
masterhead wrote:
Ok with out the emoticons, I believe that this music is a hollow copycat of "mexican' music. It continues the wrong vision of mexican music and Mexico itself in the States. The intentions may be good, the musicians may be very talented but the overall result is frankly disturbing. There are musicians that I respect and have done a great job integrating different ethnic music into their own. But calexico is not one of them. Sorry Greg.
OK, exactly what 'Mexico' and 'Mexican' music are we talking about? There's a whole lotta diversity in both those labels, and anyone who attributes to Calexico some sort of essence of all 'Mexican' music needs to expand their horizons. Hollow or not is beside the point. For me, Calexico is just part of the great cultural mixing that is La Frontera--THATS THE WHOLE POINT OF THE BAND'S NAME. That being said, I've never seen the band, nor bought any of their CDs, so if they are representing themselves as a fusion inherently 'Mexican' in a way that other artists are not, well, a pox on them.
For me, I hit the mute button when this comes on.....
Llike these guys more every time I hear them.
just a bean burrito for me thanks -
masterhead wrote:
Ok with out the emoticons, I believe that this music is a hollow copycat of "mexican' music. It continues the wrong vision of mexican music and Mexico itself in the States. The intentions may be good, the musicians may be very talented but the overall result is frankly disturbing. There are musicians that I respect and have done a great job integrating different ethnic music into their own. But calexico is not one of them. Sorry Greg.
A well-defined and sensible argument. I gotta respect that.
The opening notes of this song just washed over me like a wave on a sunny ocean beach....ahhhhh....
Calexico just is the most versatile band! LOVE their stuff!
Excellent live show to download!
it's called CAFFEINE! Ariaaura wrote:
The whole Hot Rail CD is pretty darn good. There's a lonely song on it with a train sample that stops me in my tracks with pleasure every time. :nodhead: :sunny.gif: :nodhead: these guys have a lot more on their mind than just copying other music styles.
Gregorama wrote:
Most music is not created in a vacuum. Artists are influenced by the styles and ideas of others. Who cares if they hear elements they want to include and synthesize into their own expression? All I know is Calexico has made a great impression on me, and they are always a joy to hear, whether it is Mariachi or Spaghetti Western music, or rock like Qattro--they do it all well. Saw them live at ACLFest last month and they put on a great show. Their horn section played with Wilco during the set of the latter, and they sounded terrific. By the way, masterhead, there are few things more annoying than the puking emoticon. Can't you criticize without the adolescent 'tude? I doubt it adds any more credence to your opinion.
Ok with out the emoticons, I believe that this music is a hollow copycat of "mexican' music. It continues the wrong vision of mexican music and Mexico itself in the States. The intentions may be good, the musicians may be very talented but the overall result is frankly disturbing. There are musicians that I respect and have done a great job integrating different ethnic music into their own. But calexico is not one of them. Sorry Greg.
:daisy.gif: nice!
Great song, not too crazy about picadors... ;)
Most music is not created in a vacuum. Artists are influenced by the styles and ideas of others. Who cares if they hear elements they want to include and synthesize into their own expression? All I know is Calexico has made a great impression on me, and they are always a joy to hear, whether it is Mariachi or Spaghetti Western music, or rock like Qattro--they do it all well. Saw them live at ACLFest last month and they put on a great show. Their horn section played with Wilco during the set of the latter, and they sounded terrific. By the way, masterhead, there are few things more annoying than the puking emoticon. Can't you criticize without the adolescent 'tude? I doubt it adds any more credence to your opinion.
Great song by these guys. I saw them live this summer at a festival. They rocked the whole place.
Yes, who cares if it's authentic or not, really? It sounds really good to me, that's what matters. Love those horns!
masterhead wrote:
Correction..This the "american view of Mexico" part of Calexico...To me this is like Santo & Johnny Farina meet Herb Alpert down in Tijuana..pretending they are "creating" Mexcan Music...of course, IMHO =;
the more I listen to it..the more annoying..
Yeah well I grew up with Herb Alpert.... Nothing wrong with this. Maybe it's not "authentic," but then again, few things are these days.
masterhead wrote:
Correction..This the "american view of Mexico" part of Calexico...To me this is like Santo & Johnny Farina meet Herb Alpert down in Tijuana..pretending they are "creating" Mexcan Music...of course, IMHO =;
Umm, yeah I get that part, that's why they're called CALexico.
A Calexico tune is on the soundtrack of the outstanding "Collateral".
Correction..This the "american view of Mexico" part of Calexico...To me this is like Santo & Johnny Farina meet Herb Alpert down in Tijuana..pretending they are "creating" Mexcan Music...of course, IMHO Nuance wrote:
Calexico rocks! This is the Mexico part of Calexico. They also have some more rocking tunes with a more subtle influence. great musicianship...
=;
Calexico rocks! This is the Mexico part of Calexico. They also have some more rocking tunes with a more subtle influence. great musicianship...
For some, it's novelty. For some, it's the kinda stuff we grew up with. I, for one, rather enjoy it .... masterhead wrote:
I don't know....this is kind of novelty item to me.. not a real pleasurable experience per sei
!Se siente bien a mis oídos!
I don't know....this is kind of novelty item to me.. not a real pleasurable experience per sei
Por Que? porque!
"Say hallo to my leettle frand. "
This belongs in a Sergio Leone movie... thats a good thing
Leslie wrote:
This is great! I love the mixture of genres. Those mariachi-type horns always get me too.
Surely agree, Leslie. I Once chose to go as a Mexican to a masked ball (and later on to a carnival where they used my sombrero as an astrade ) so it isn't strange this music appeals to me. What's missing is the right ambience :-k Who knows There'll come a day I can wear my sombrero under the Mexican sun
Is that a real poncho? I mean, is that a mexican poncho, or is that a Sears poncho? beelzebubba wrote:
I feel like throwing on my rainbow poncho, sticking one of those thin cigars in the corner of my mouth, and grimacing like Clint in the mirror...... :D
Bravo!
anybody see them when they were just around on tour with the Frames? ahhhh! i missed it. want to live vicariously through your tales. how were they. AND what about the frames? I SO want to catch them live! cm
This made my mornin'! Thanks for all the Calexico...keep it comin'!!
I feel like throwing on my rainbow poncho, sticking one of those thin cigars in the corner of my mouth, and grimacing like Clint in the mirror...... :D
Not bad.
It sounds like something Ry Cooder would do. I like it a lot. Frednic
This is great! I love the mixture of genres. Those mariachi-type horns always get me too.
Is it mariachi? Is it Hawaiian slack key guitar? Is it bottle neck slide? Is it really good? You bet!
Good choice. Ltes get this on the Top Tracks list along with \"The Crystal Frontier\"...
Thanks Radio Paradise! This was on my \"must check out sometime\" list! It\'s now _slowly_ hovering towards the \"must buy\" list... :)