Dave Alvin, Flaco Jimenez, David Hidalgo y Los Cenzontles: ‘Hey, Baby, It’s the Fourth of July’


Roots rock singer/guitar slinger and East Los homie (Downey) Dave Alvin sings a classic ode to America, folky roots, broken hearts, independence and Mexican kids shooting fireworks Hey, baby, it’s the Fourth of July! Alvin is backed in this version by Los Cenzontles, Tex-Mex accordion superstar Flaco Jimenez and David Hidalgo of Los Lobos.

Here’s the original music video, so old it’s in black and white!

Mas…Dave Alvin, Flaco Jimenez, David Hidalgo y Los Cenzontles: ‘Hey, Baby, It’s the Fourth of July’

Trump crowned with ‘Ring of Fire’ y Johnny Cash (toon, audio)

lalotrumpcrowntoonFINAL
I fell into a burnin’ ring of fire
I went down, down, down
And the flames went higher
And it burns, burns, burns
The ring of fire, the ring of fire
I fell into a burnin’ ring of fire
I went down, down, down
And the flames went higher
And it burns, burns, burns
The ring of fire, the ring of fire

Johnny Cash somehow manages a version of Ring of Fire en Español:

Mas…Trump crowned with ‘Ring of Fire’ y Johnny Cash (toon, audio)

In 1959, this country singer just loved ‘Tiquela & Mexican Beer’ (video)

bryanrecord45In 1959, country singer Larry Bryant released a 45 celebrating his love of Tiquela & Mexican Beer. Music trade magazine Billboard called it “interesting” — not a good sign — and the record never made much of a splash.

But the original 45 (#101 — the first release?) on Santa Fe Records is a $25 collector’s item these days, so Bryant and friends were validated over 50 years later.

And even though his speeling is owlfull, we’re 100% in agreement with Larry’s high opinion of the aforementioned beverages, as well as his love for Mexican señoritas, tacos, tortillas and beans.

Mas…In 1959, this country singer just loved ‘Tiquela & Mexican Beer’ (video)

Naco Ñewsday: ‘Naco art’ according to Instagram (photos)

nacoartLet’s define our terms: According to the Daily Texican, “naco,” not a nice word, is Mexican slang for a lower class, ignorant country bumpkin, and/or a derogatory term for an “Indio” or native.

“Naco art,” therefore, is the Mexican version of lowbrow “art” like Elvis paintings on velvet or sad clowns and/or big-eyed “Keene” people.

Remezcla’s Daniela Cabera reports:

Mas…Naco Ñewsday: ‘Naco art’ according to Instagram (photos)

Ask A Mexican: Should Mexicans move to the South? (video)

It’s complicated, but Gustavo ¡Ask A Mexican! Arellano considers the future of Mexican-Americans in the South and suggests it’s the new, unconquered Aztlan ripe for the Reconquista Part II. After all, paisas and good ole’ boys are the same with the horses and the whiskey and the marrying their second cousins, right? (Gustavo’s art courtesy Memo Nerricio’s Tex[t]-Mex Gallery and Steve Alvarez’ Mexington.

Accused rapist? Fugitive spy? Ask your travel agent to ‘Do Ecuador’

(PNS reporting from QUITO) You don’t have to be an accused rapist hiding from the Swedish police like Julian Assange or an alleged spy like Edward Snowden to consider asylum in the República del Ecuador.

That’s the message of the new Do Ecuador marketing campaign from Ecuador’s Ministry of Tourism, which was announced in this high-altitude capital city Monday.

“There are only 15 million of us here in a country that covers 109,000 square miles, so come on down!” gasping-for-breath State Secretary for Tourism Gandalfo Gordo explained between hits of oxygen at a press conference in the newly-remodeled Safe House Hotel, formerly El Motel Seis.

Mas…Accused rapist? Fugitive spy? Ask your travel agent to ‘Do Ecuador’

Mainstream media wants to know: WTF are ‘pochos’ and ‘nacos’?

I have long said it is a Pocho Planet, and maybe you can make the case that it’s a Naco World as well!

We all know what a pocha or a pocho is, and the greatness and prestige that designation implies. But if you aren’t clear, or wondering what the hell naco means, watch this mun2 video featuring Gustavo Arellano, Jenni Rivera, Commander Adama plus many other cool folks. And me.

Thanks to the gente at mun2 for having me!

Naco was the Word of the Day at the Daily Texican in 2004