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Calexico — Crystal Frontier (Acoustic)
Album: Even My Sure Things Fall Through
Avg rating:
7.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1625









Released: 2001
Length: 3:28
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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Marco's shadow falls on the door
to the 7 lost cities of gold
finds a raven's head and rattler's tail
dead in his tracks, this godforsaken soul's
unwanted here and his ghost lingers for years

amalia's face hides behind the mask
sweating on the tv factory line
that smile on her face is starting to crack
while welding back the pieces of shattered heart
that's scattered out here, with the ghosts of her peers
searched for her lost love along the river of tears

at the end of the working week
when drunken worlds meet
both sides keeping a close eye
for a break in the line here...
on the crystal frontier

blood spills out on the streets
and bodies are missing for weeks
both sides keeping a close eye
watching the bullets fly here...
on the crystal frontier

ramón tightens up his leather belt
and slips through a hole in the fence
he can get you anything you want
might cost you a life, might cost you
the whole price of freedom here...
on the crystal frontier
Comments (95)add comment
 kingart wrote:

To my ears, it's 'curse', not 'ghost'

dead in his tracks, this godforsaken soul's 
unwanted here and his ghost lingers for years 

A song lyrics website, https://www.songlyrics.com/calexico/crystal-frontier-acoustic-lyrics/, does not concur, but I say curse. 



Agreed, it's "curse" in this version, and that's not the only lyric that is not transcribed correctly. The end of the Amalia verse is substantially different.
Posted 4 months ago by q4Fry    [ Reply ]
His voice.  
Posted 8 months ago by bluecshells    [ Reply ]
l prefer the live version with horns but he does have a tremendous voice
Posted 1 year ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
 4merdj wrote:

In the twilight of his life, Pedro's gaze rested on the orange horizon
while the remembrance of the warm smell of his mom's tortillas
on the clay comal embraced him.
Suddenly, the last scene of The Wizard of Oz pierced his heart.
With tears in his eyes, he was startled by a loud series
of beeps coming from the microwave oven, which
assaulted him all dressed up in the artificial stench of
blooming oily corn kernels. 




I'll have what you're having.
Posted 2 years ago by bahalana    [ Reply ]
Doyle: What in the hell you doin' with that hammer?
Karl: I don't rightly know. I just kinda woke up a-holding it.
[exits]
Doyle: [to Linda] What the fuck you think he's doin' with that hammer?
Posted 3 years ago by Solanus    [ Reply ]
 kingart wrote:
To my ears, it's 'curse', not 'ghost'

dead in his tracks, this godforsaken soul's 
unwanted here and his ghost lingers for years 

A song lyrics website, https://www.songlyrics.com/calexico/crystal-frontier-acoustic-lyrics/, does not concur, but I say curse. 
 
It seems to my ears that it's curse.
Posted 4 years ago by Edweirdo    [ Reply ]
Great version! Really loved this. I have seen them twice here in the UK now, and both times they were truly great, particularly when the mariachi comes in!
Posted 5 years ago by ncollingridge    [ Reply ]
So excellent ... I haven't heard this version before. Such a fantastic band to see live! Thanks :)
Posted 6 years ago by nsx    [ Reply ]
I love Joey's (kind of hesitant?) voice. Great band live.
Posted 6 years ago by bindi    [ Reply ]
To my ears, it's 'curse', not 'ghost'

dead in his tracks, this godforsaken soul's 
unwanted here and his ghost lingers for years 

A song lyrics website, https://www.songlyrics.com/calexico/crystal-frontier-acoustic-lyrics/, does not concur, but I say curse. 
Posted 6 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
 pfwashburn9485 wrote:
I find this version much better. I think this is more powerful ,for me anyways !

 
I agree the acoustic version is more moving.
Posted 7 years ago by the_jake    [ Reply ]
It's very interesting how Bill and Rebecca are commenting the political news every day...

"Big day planned on NATIONAL SECURITY tomorrow. Among many other things, we will build the wall!"

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 25th, 2017
Posted 7 years ago by nampelkafe    [ Reply ]
The TV factory line is one of those jobs they're promising to bring back.
Posted 8 years ago by ojibwe    [ Reply ]

I have heard the original, and seen it live, and love it.     However, I love this more.


Posted 8 years ago by bindi    [ Reply ]
Meh. Sorry but this is a pale distant shadow of the full,  Mariachi infused, band version (IMHO). 
Posted 8 years ago by Redpoint    [ Reply ]
I love discovering new beautiful music like this through RP, thanks so much! 
Posted 8 years ago by irma_in_goma    [ Reply ]
In the twilight of his life, Pedro's gaze rested on the orange horizon
while the remembrance of the warm smell of his mom's tortillas
on the clay comal embraced him.
Suddenly, the last scene of The Wizard of Oz pierced his heart.
With tears in his eyes, he was startled by a loud series
of beeps coming from the microwave oven, which
assaulted him all dressed up in the artificial stench of
blooming oily corn kernels. 
Posted 8 years ago by 4merdj    [ Reply ]
Pure beauty........
Posted 8 years ago by jhorton    [ Reply ]
 Sweet_Virginia wrote:
Sometimes this station just makes you stop close your eyes and feel the music. The last 3 songs - brilliant

 
thumbs up! They played Portland News Eve, sorry  I {#Umbrella}missed now! 
Posted 8 years ago by willmcnaught    [ Reply ]
Sometimes this station just makes you stop close your eyes and feel the music. The last 3 songs - brilliant
Posted 8 years ago by Sweet_Virginia    [ Reply ]
New CD Edge of the Sun drops April 14th. you can stream a song now from www.casadecalexico.com
Posted 9 years ago by SmackDaddy    [ Reply ]
Pretty!
Posted 10 years ago by k1j2cat    [ Reply ]
One of the nicer unplugged songs
Posted 11 years ago by clwguy    [ Reply ]
¡Faltan los Mariachis!
Posted 11 years ago by ce    [ Reply ]
 mrdak wrote:
Most excellent and peaceful............. {#Music}
 
Yes!   Until actually you get what he's talking about ... then it ought to scare the shit of you.
Posted 12 years ago by Hasan    [ Reply ]
Doesn't really work for me in this version.
Posted 12 years ago by wossName    [ Reply ]
Love this version, too. Such a sweet lullaby of what sounds like pure hell.
Posted 12 years ago by Carl    [ Reply ]
Fabulous, in any version...
Posted 13 years ago by Foot    [ Reply ]
Haha, this is the first time that I've ever heard it...cool song!

 lysisphere wrote:
This song gets overplayed by Calexico themselves.  I wonder if they consider it their best song.  There are several versions on one album, and another version on another album..  This song has become overplayed in my mind.
 


Posted 13 years ago by bluedot    [ Reply ]
love this band, love the song... so touching and smooth!!!! {#Clap}
Posted 13 years ago by speedyeleni    [ Reply ]
First listen for me.   Joey has a magic voice - certainly not perfect, kind of whispery, but so capable of touching many human hearts.
Posted 14 years ago by bindi    [ Reply ]
Finally, a standard screen version!
Posted 14 years ago by zogma    [ Reply ]
I love this song. Thanks RP. {#Dance}
Posted 14 years ago by Rp10v3r    [ Reply ]
sublime.

Posted 14 years ago by Boger    [ Reply ]
Song_book_marco
calexico's "crystal frontier"  by Irina Troitskaya
https://www.flickr.com/photos/irtroit/

this's my work for tzeh's "song book". 

Posted 14 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
This song gets overplayed by Calexico themselves.  I wonder if they consider it their best song.  There are several versions on one album, and another version on another album..  This song has become overplayed in my mind.
Posted 14 years ago by lysisphere    [ Reply ]
Saw them at The Fillmore, SF......Never stopped dancing.  Great Band!

Posted 14 years ago by jkhandy    [ Reply ]
Most excellent and peaceful............. {#Music}
Posted 14 years ago by mrdak    [ Reply ]
Qualities of a lullaby.  Nice.
Posted 14 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
 yclept wrote:
  wendyf wrote:
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Nice song if it was bedtime 
 

it's always bedtime somewhere in the RP universe
 
 
jes likeits always 5 o'clock somewhere....

Everyone need something to believe in,
I believe I'll have another drink.

Posted 15 years ago by philbertr    [ Reply ]
 Limpopoking wrote:
I'm liking these guys more and more... oh dear, hell on the credit card!
 

Go for it, you won't be disappointed.
Posted 15 years ago by SmackDaddy    [ Reply ]
 Limpopoking wrote:
I'm liking these guys more and more... oh dear, hell on the credit card!
 

My sentiments exactly.
Posted 15 years ago by holborne    [ Reply ]
  wendyf wrote:
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Nice song if it was bedtime 
 

it's always bedtime somewhere in the RP universe
 
Posted 15 years ago by yclept    [ Reply ]
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Nice song if it was bedtime 
Posted 15 years ago by wendyf    [ Reply ]
I'm liking these guys more and more... oh dear, hell on the credit card!
Posted 15 years ago by Limpopoking    [ Reply ]

Amazing!


Posted 16 years ago by skdenfeld    [ Reply ]

Beck {#Yawn} followed by this equals zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz



Posted 16 years ago by 25demayo    [ Reply ]
SPEAK UP!!!!
Posted 16 years ago by stewliscious    [ Reply ]
Hey, I like it ^^
Posted 16 years ago by Rhalph    [ Reply ]
sub-arctic wrote:
8 9
10
Posted 16 years ago by Zep    [ Reply ]
8 9
Posted 16 years ago by sub-arctic    [ Reply ]
I like this version!
Posted 17 years ago by Alafia    [ Reply ]
lanewbie wrote:
Strangely, the exact same segue you commented on March 10th is going on right now (May 12th). Are we getting re-runs?
Bill will reuse sets, or even just individual song pairs, that match really well, but they're consistently arranged in a different context.
Posted 17 years ago by UltraNurd    [ Reply ]
Give this man a cookie. A really big cookie.
Posted 17 years ago by FeydBaron    [ Reply ]
Seems like we get a rerun every 63 days. I guess on 15 Sep. the song after this one again will be Jefferson Airplane's Comin' Back to Me.
Posted 17 years ago by justin4kick    [ Reply ]
laozilover wrote:
This song sounds damn good turned up loud on these: ...and the segue to Jefferson Airplane Comin' Back to Me was fantastic!
Strangely, the exact same segue you commented on March 10th is going on right now (May 12th). Are we getting re-runs?
Posted 17 years ago by lanewbie    [ Reply ]
A first listen that caught my ear as I sashay to my sleep-very nice.
Posted 17 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
Great to hear this is still in the RP rotation.
Posted 17 years ago by Zep    [ Reply ]
This song sounds damn good turned up loud on these: ...and the segue to Jefferson Airplane Comin' Back to Me was fantastic!
Posted 17 years ago by laozilover    [ Reply ]
Is the "Day in the life of a fool" reference deliberate?
Posted 17 years ago by hcaudill    [ Reply ]
ohhhh, I like this.
Posted 17 years ago by islander    [ Reply ]
peyotecoyote wrote:
Absolutely must, must, must see this band live - this is a promise I am making to myself right now.
you will not be disappointed, they are a lot of fun live.
Posted 17 years ago by bluematrix    [ Reply ]
smileyally wrote:
Need a smiley with a cowboy hat...
Posted 18 years ago by oppositelock    [ Reply ]
Absolutely must, must, must see this band live - this is a promise I am making to myself right now.
Posted 18 years ago by peyotecoyote    [ Reply ]
And you followed up "Chan Chan" with this slice of heaven? I'm so goofing off at my desk right now, pretending that my glass of OJ is a big ol' Colada....
Posted 18 years ago by cattgirl813    [ Reply ]
ndg wrote:
me desculpe from Madrid Spain - Are these Smiley faces sucking on pacifiers or is that clapping - Either way this music has both effects. I'm liking the so' west themes today. Need a smiley with a cowboy hat...
Posted 19 years ago by smileyally    [ Reply ]
Bill's set is Inspired tonight! Paradise it is indeed!
Posted 19 years ago by Mangoman    [ Reply ]
The absolute perfect follow to "Ring of Fire." Last time I saw Calexico perform was right after Johnny died, and they had his music playing on the speakers before the concert and the band did a full send-off of "Ring of Fire" including mariachis. By all means, see them live if you can. Excellent tune from my hometown boys.
Posted 19 years ago by Roverfish    [ Reply ]
ndg wrote:
Yea heartily agree - I like BOTH versions of this song, though this one might edge the other one slightly. Also interesting to note its lowest rating is a 3. 8/10.
Posted 19 years ago by Zep    [ Reply ]
Posted 19 years ago by ndg    [ Reply ]
Wow, I thought I had all the versions of this great song, but this acoustic version is simply Outstanding!. Much thanks Bill and to whoever may have uploaded it. It's off to the store I go ....
Posted 19 years ago by UncleChig    [ Reply ]
The acoustic version of this song really gives it depth, good pick bill!
Posted 19 years ago by jlind    [ Reply ]
flippin' brilliant...can't get enough....
Posted 19 years ago by Tritter    [ Reply ]
:sunny.gif:
Posted 19 years ago by Skeletor    [ Reply ]
I've been a fan of these guys for a few years, since I caught them playing a bar in St. Louis, when I just happened to be in town. Saw them again last year at the Bowery Ballroom in NYC... These guys are beyond cool, and this cut is just superb...
Posted 19 years ago by VooDooChile    [ Reply ]
sounded kinda like Damien Rice to me.
Posted 19 years ago by llazare    [ Reply ]
Bill What a terrific set! Brilliant playlist. I can't get enough of Calexico. They are able to capture the Anglo/Latino vibe of the Tucson area so well with small grace notes and evocative phrasing (both musically and lyrically). Someone needs to write a movie set in Tucson just so we can use Calexico in the soundtrack.
Posted 19 years ago by mojoman    [ Reply ]
I agree with most of the comments. This stripped down acoustic version is pretty intense. Catched them this summer on a festival near the French-Belgian border and they had all these musicians with trumpets, conga's, etc. It was a great set. Catch 'em live and buy their last CD, Feast of Wire. It's allready a classic IMO.
Posted 20 years ago by Bicky    [ Reply ]
Nice. Does anyone else hear echoes of "Manhã de Carnaval" (in English, "A Day in the Life of a Fool," from "Black Orpheus")?
Posted 20 years ago by hcaudill    [ Reply ]
rah wrote:
did anyone else happen to catch Calexico at the Getty last weekend? STUPENDOUS set they played, accompanied by the Mariachi Luz de Luna. really really good time!
They put on an excellent show!!! Very dynamic!
Posted 20 years ago by Talalala    [ Reply ]
ghevlana wrote:
A truly bewitching cut. Thank you, RP, for (once again) introducing fabulous, new-to-me music
Wow, is it ever! I thought the Widescreen version was great... This one is even better! We listened to Calexico driving through Arizona and Utah, and it is a must-listen-to-CD when driving among arches, buttes, canyons, and arroyos!
Posted 20 years ago by UncleRemus    [ Reply ]
scottc wrote:
I like what RP has played of Calexico. Curious if a whole CD is consistent.
i can recommend Feast of Wire whole-heartedly.
Posted 20 years ago by rah    [ Reply ]
A truly bewitching cut. Thank you, RP, for (once again) introducing fabulous, new-to-me music
Posted 20 years ago by ghevlana    [ Reply ]
did anyone else happen to catch Calexico at the Getty last weekend? STUPENDOUS set they played, accompanied by the Mariachi Luz de Luna. really really good time!
Posted 20 years ago by rah    [ Reply ]
This is tribute to the magic of Radio Paradise and it's ability to intoduce me to new music. I live in this bands home town and have never made the effort to see them live because I was unfamiliar with thier sound. Oops! :iamwith:
Posted 20 years ago by Bazooka    [ Reply ]
Just too cool. Catch these guys in concert if you can, they have TONS of music and talent.
Posted 20 years ago by lotus_65    [ Reply ]
I like what RP has played of Calexico. Curious if a whole CD is consistent.
Posted 20 years ago by scottc    [ Reply ]
This is O so much better as acoustic. :sunny.gif:
Posted 20 years ago by isujimmy78    [ Reply ]
Their album, "Feast of Wire" is well worth acquiring.
Posted 20 years ago by Zeke19    [ Reply ]
Just changed my rating from an 8 into a 9. Awesome tune, sung beautifully.
Posted 21 years ago by heeb    [ Reply ]
um, why have I never heard of these guys? That\'s a beautiful cut.
Posted 21 years ago by trancefussion    [ Reply ]
Haunting. Gonna\' have to get some of their stuff (from the RP links, of course).
Posted 21 years ago by ChipStewart    [ Reply ]
Yeah I\'ll try to find something more to upload. Listening to Black Light at home right now (sorry RP:-) Perhaps Minas de Cobre will be the next....
Posted 22 years ago by oneworld    [ Reply ]