Today marks a spot in history ladies and gents. The first ever RVW Music
Re
Vie
W. A premiere if you will...
Todays observation: Los Lonely Boys live, Austin City Limits.
First impressions are everything. Well, sort of.
As I sat down in front of my television prepared to watch "Austin City limits" for the usual 3.4 minutes before changing the channel...The remote went untouched. I closed my eyes, or at least one of them and pretended I wasnt nearly as focused on all aspects of music as I am and have been for 25 years or more. I could have assumed I was listening to young Carlos Santana with a coked out Stevie Ray Vaughn and the remaining members of Los Lobos all on stage together gettin it on.
Opening my eyes and ears wasant exactly a cause for me to realize I wasnt, But I CAN believe I thunk it, if only for a very brief moment.
Los Lonely Boys, despite thier over played grammy winning top 40 hit (the name escapes me) are an ensamble of 3 talented young Texican brothers who are at minimum: entertaining!
Ranging in age from 21 to 25, I was entertained and enlightened with thier style and musical personalities.
Vocalist/Bass player JoJo Barza, cleancut and handsome interacts with the crowd enthusiasticly and playfully while promoting the talents of his brothers. Playing a beautiful 6 string wide fretboard electric bass as though it were a part of his own body reminded me of the few front men who do, or did it well enough to be legitimate front men: Geddy Lee, Paul Simon, Sting.
Drummer "Ringo" (who doesnt quite live up to the name "Ringo the drummer") has what it takes to keep up with his aggresive bass pounding brother, with a presence of a sidekick, overweight and silly, yet fun to watch and listen to.
Henry Barza on lead guitar is easily recognizeable as a scorching guitarist with nimble fingers and a style that emulates Carlos Santana and SRV. In fact, if Someone told me I was listening to Carlos and Stevie I would believe it if I hadnt already heard every available recorded thing theyve ever done. Henry is fantastic. I'd mention potential, but would not want cause any doubt of his legitimate exsisting talent. This guy borders on greatness, and will only get better with time and age.
Many music fans separate themselves and thier fanatisism from the "new" staying faithful to the "old" gods of the sixstring. SRV, Carlos Santana, Johnny Winter...ARE legitmate gods. But simply put: Dont overlook the next generation of guitar gods. Henry Barza is a success story in the making. He will amaze any true guitar enthusiast or aficionado. If your interest in music isnt quite that deep I have no doubts Los Lonely Boys will become a part of your MP3 rolodex if given at least a 3.4 second chance.
RVW Rating of Los Lonely Boys?
4 out of 5 strats
Music ReVieW
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