By Sherry Bach

 

            My fiancé came home the other day with a copy of a CD his friend had given him. Curious about music in general, I asked, "What genre of music is it?"

            I am always open to hearing new music but when I found out the CD was Country with a Spanish twist I have to admit, I immediately doubted the music's ability to provide enjoyment for my listening pleasure. I like Country music but Spanish? Not so much. However, as the first song began to play I was pleasantly surprised to hear a tasteful production of well blended and balanced Spanish flavoring mixed in with traditional Country covers, and I joyfully listened to the entire CD more than once.

            Cerrito's insight for collaborating with all of the beautiful ladies singing with him on this CD, as well as his choice of songs for Cerrito y Las Chicas de Country, was very well thought out and in my opinion highly successful. Some of these classics surely had a little dust on their vinyl; long overdue for a new recording.

            The CD begins with the first release South Of The Border, which has recently charted at #1 for two consecutive weeks. Cerrito recorded South Of The Border with Lane Brody, who still sounds as amazing as she ever did. Remember the number One hit: The Yellow Rose of Texas? Lane recorded that song with Johnny Lee back in 1984 (see link). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hp1YDHagAGc

            Next, an old forgotten classic written by Kris Kristofferson, Stranger, brought back memories for me. I remember this song playing on the radio when I was thirteen; I was captivated by the story line and up until now, I had not heard the song since the 70's. Stranger, originally a duet with Johnny Duncan and Janie Fricke, went to number four on the US Country charts in 1976 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9y2kw-JM7o&feature=related).  Janie sounds just as good now with Cerrito as she did thirty five years ago with Johnny. The addition of Spanish guitar and trumpet is mixed in perfectly and causes this Spanish music skeptic to change her mind.

            I am a huge Merle Haggard fan, and Today I Started Loving You Again, has always been one of my favorite country songs. Cerrito and Liza Martin sound great together as they keep the tradition of the old song but add new life with Spanish influence.

            Knowing that the Texans like conventional country music, I imagine Cerrito y Las Chicas de Country will do very well there, as well as anywhere great traditional country music is appreciated!

            On track four, Cerrito asks Jett Williams to explain the story behind the song Mansion On The Hill, written by her dad Hank Williams, Sr. As Mansion (track five) begins with Spanish trumpets and Jett singing with Cerrito, I cannot help but picture Hank Williams in Louisiana surrounded by the musical influences that helped shaped his career. I think that if Hank Williams, Sr. were alive today, he would be very pleased with the way his song was produced.

            Lynn Anderson was a huge influence on country radio when I was a young girl. Who can forget, I Never Promised You A Rose Garden? It is obvious Lynn still has it, as she sings the Eddy Arnold classic, I'll Hold You In My Heart with Cerrito, in English and also in Spanish on the last chorus. Every song on Cerrito y Las Chicas de Country is sung in English with a verse and/or chorus sung in Spanish toward the end of the song.

            The balance of how much of each track is sung in Spanish and how much of each song is sung in English, as well as the amount of Spanish soul added to the production of each song on Cerrito y Las Chicas de Country is faultless.

            If I had to pick a favorite on this CD, it might be track nine, Table For Two, written by Max Barnes and Vince Gill. Cerrito features Elizabeth Cook on this song and her voice is amazing! Then again, Track eleven is also one of my favorites which makes me laugh because, out of all of the songs on the CD, Hot Pepper Doll has the most Spanish influence in its production.

            I believe it is safe to say that Cerrito has converted this anti-Spanish music listener and the Executive Producers, Felipe De La Rosa and Jenny Collins, as well as Cerrito and all of the ladies who added excellence to Cerrito y Las Chicas de Country, should be proud of this creative Country Spanish production.

            For purchase just google: Cerrito y Las Chicas de Country.

 

 

Brief Bio

            The daughter of musicians, Ms. Bach was marketing for the band by age eleven, writing poetry at eight and songs to guitar at fourteen. She has been published in Montana Magazine, The 2nd Annual Northwoods Anthology, Country Weekly, and The Direct Buzz. Ms. Bach has also published three books. She is a freelance writer living in Nashville, Tennessee. www.sherrybach.com