Album Review – The Mavericks “En Español”
Sure, maybe you have some sort of fundamental grasp on the idea that south of the U.S. border there is a vast world of entertainment options emanating from the warmer latitudes, whether from our neighbors in Mexico, or the rich and varied cultures of the Caribbean nations. But where to start, and how to tackle that monster is too intimidating of a task.
Maybe you know a little Spanish from paying just enough attention in high school for your language credit, or perhaps you’re even fluent. Or maybe as far as you ever got was the “Donde esta el bano?” a co-worker taught you before going on that all-inclusive resort package to Cancun last winter. But what you do know is compared to the milquetoast world of American music, Latin music contains a spice and entertainment value that is worthy of exploring. You just need a tour guide, and to acquire the taste.
The Mavericks are here to help, as they have been for over 30 years. As cultural ambassadors for a number of Latin-influenced musical art forms, they have been country music’s somewhat unusual, but warmly welcomed Latin cousins that back in the mid 90’s were winning CMA and ACM Awards as a top vocal group. Based in south Florida as opposed to Texas where many of the Tejano and Conjunto styles commonly rub elbows with country, The Mavericks influence is more Cuban in nature.
With stellar frontman Raul Malo, The Mavericks have dabbled in Spanish language music before. Their big comeback record in 2013 In Time included a Spanish version of the album’s signature track, “Come Unto Me.” But En Español is the first time the outfit delves into Spanish language material exclusively, both in the form of some new, original compositions, as well as some tasteful, and deftly-selected covers.
30 years into you career, the challenge for any artist or band is to keep things interesting not just for the audience, but for yourself. Whether it’s the band’s last album consisting entirely of cover songs, or now this Spanish-only effort, The Mavericks are recording what they are passionate about, and it comes through in spirited performances.
The Mavericks really sell you on the idea of this Spanish language stuff on the opening song, “La Sitiera”—a slowly developing 6-minute composition that starts off with the biting and bassey tones of Eddie Perez on electric guitar, builds in via a muffled trumpet melody, and by the end, captures the unmitigated magic of Raul Malo’s vocal powers in a rousing and moving rendition of this Rafael López González-penned song.
The second track on the album called “Recuerdos” (a.k.a “Memories”) is a Raul Malo co-write that really captures the fundamental magic of The Mavericks of impassioned performances backed by punchy and catchy moments, only this time in a native tongue. Don’t be too intimidated diving into a record like this. As cliche as it may sound, music truly is a universal language. The Mavericks do offer English translations in the physical renderings for assistance if necessary. But just like country, these are songs of love and heartbreak, or dreams and realization, of family and friends, and you feel them, even if you don’t fully comprehend.
Whenever you talk about the Mavericks, you also must pay special homage to the power of lead singer Raul Malo. One of the premier singers of our generation that is often and unfortunately overlooked, you can tell this was a passion project for him. And just as important as it is for introducing English-speaking markets to the beauty of the Spanish language, hopefully it also ingratiates Spanish listeners to Malo and The Mavericks who Latin markets may only know as outliers.
But if we’re being honest, some of En Español comes across as, well, a little sappy and saccharine, no matter what language the material is delivered in. It’s still a really well-crafted record. You just were perhaps hoping for a bit more of a cool factor throughout to really help sell the English-speaking audience on the idea of investing their time in a Spanish-only record, and Spanish-only music. Perhaps that’s an unfair expectation to lump on the effort. But it’s also something The Mavericks have done throughout their careers, only pulling it off partially here by leaning a bit too much on balladry. You end up craving a bit more from the guitar of Eddie Perez.
En Español finishes off really strong though. The chorus of “Cuando me Enamoro” (or “When I Fall in Love”) is just too succulent to pass up, and if you listen deep into the fade out at the end, you’ll hear Malo singing the chorus in English as well. And the final song, “Me Voy a Pinar del Rio” (“I’m Going to Pinar del Rio”) is more of the traditional-style song that you might have expected more of on this record.
Illustrating the beauty of the Spanish language while extending their ambassadorship for Latin influences in American music, The Mavericks and Raul Malo make an inspired record that some may find intimidating to delve into, but many will find rewarding if they do.
1 1/2 Pistolas Arriba (7.5/10)
– – – – – – – – – –
Purchase from The Mavericks
Purcahse from Amazon
September 10, 2020 @ 7:48 am
Been really digging this one. Despite the safe lyricism (no real surprises here topically) the vocal performances are great.
May 6, 2023 @ 8:25 pm
Hi. A few years back I’d stopped listening to almost all new music when I happened on a country love songs show. Hosted by maybe Reba. Raul Malo was introduced to sing a medley. It was as though music had risen from the dead. No exaggeration. We went across the state and heard him in a little beautifully restored theater for three years straight. It was when the band was separated for awhile. Fell in complete love with that voice. We see any concerts and even took one of the cruises. I will continue to listen to Raul Malo in whatever language as long as I have hearing. I enjoy the translation in the cd covers. Might learn something new. All true.
September 10, 2020 @ 8:10 am
These 2 songs are catchy as hell, and though I would prefer to understand the lyrics, I could listen to Raul sing the phone book.
September 10, 2020 @ 8:28 am
raul’s VOICE is , of course , worth the price of admission with ANY Maverick’s project … (like carlos santana’s guitar , stevie winwood’s vocals , tommy lee jones -pick a movie ) and its once again stellar in the tracks posted . these are Maverick’s songs …the band hasn’t and I doubt will ever chase a trend or have raul singing to a vst-built track . kudos to the band for discovering and maintaining a timeless sound that , along with raul , sets them apart from pretty -much everyone no matter the genre
for me , if the ‘issue’ of an all-spanish record hadn’t come up , I’m not sure I’d notice or care . these guys are about vibe and emotion and although I couldn’t tell you if raul is singing to the love of his life or describing to a painter the colours he’d like on the doghouse it JUST DOESN’T MATTER TO ME . this is maverick’s music …you dig it , you feel it , you’re on board or you’re not regardless of language . the fact that its such a beautiful language in song is total bonus .
great review , trigger
September 10, 2020 @ 10:27 am
I’ve been a fan of the Mavericks and bought most of their CD’s, but I’ll probably skip this one. I like their Latin-flavored music and English/Spanish mix but I don’t have an interest in hearing an all-Spanish album.
How much of a Spanish-speaker is Raoul Malo, anyway? He was born in this country and has lived his whole life here. He sounds Spanish to me when he sings in Spanish, but I have a feeling that to native Spanish speakers, he sounds like a Gringo.
September 10, 2020 @ 11:47 am
Spanish is my second language and I agree his Spanish doesn’t come across natural in these songs. I enjoy when artists do a song or 2 in Spanish either covering Freddy Fender or George Strait singing El Rey because I do think they were influenced by those songs. Nothing exciting about this album at all and after listening to it my thought was I can’t wait until the next album and hopefully we get something unexpected.
September 10, 2020 @ 12:10 pm
I like this record. I think it’s really well-done. I feel they brought a lot of passion to this material. I also agree with you that there’s “nothing exciting” about it. Having listened to a lot of Tejano, Cuban, and Cumbia music over the years, there’s a lot of stuff there that immediately strikes with universal appeal. What The Mavericks do here is more sort of a classic adult contemporary version of the music that sort of lacks that “excitement” I was hoping it would contain when they first announced the album. From what I can tell, generally speaking, it’s been mostly well-received. But I just don’t think it’s going to be the bridge between American and Latin influences that has marked most of The Mavericks’ career.
September 11, 2020 @ 7:18 am
@ Trigger:
It may be a hard thing for a band that normally sings in English to do an entire album in Spanish, as the Mavericks do here (even in a quasi-AC format), and get away with it. At the same time, however, it is instructive to remember what Linda Ronstadt did in late 1987 by releasing an entire album in Spanish (CANCIONES DE MI PADRE) that was also entirely and authentically Mexican (her natural ethnic roots), all the while being warned that it could torpedo her career. It went on to sell 2.7 million copies, making it the biggest foreign language recording by an American-born artist in recording history (a record that still stands to this day).
This doesn’t necessarily mean that Raul Malo and friends will get close to that. But one never knows…..
September 10, 2020 @ 6:47 pm
I disagree, and I’m a native Spanish speaker. I think for the most part Raul sings in the language quite well, with maybe a hint of an accent here and there. And let’s face it, practically everyone in Miami speaks Spanish. Well, it’s a tad of an exaggerated but not by much.
September 10, 2020 @ 12:52 pm
Spanish is my second language. Been hearing and speaking it at home since I was a kid. Despite what others say, I think Malo’s Spanish language singing is perfectly fine.
As Trigger implies though, the music itself isn’t breaking any molds and is your standard old-fashioned Cuban sound (with a little Tejano mixed in, in spots). Lush production. Lush, bellowing vocals. No complaints here. Reminds me of a lot of things that were on my parent’s hi-fi when I was younger, and the Afro-Cuban Allstars albums I was into back in the 90’s.
September 10, 2020 @ 8:07 pm
Raul being born and raised in FL is bound to be a factor, but I wonder if Cuban vs Mexican could also be one? I had a coworker from Puerto Rico, and he once explained to me that there was a bit of variation between his Spanish and the Spanish used in Mexico. I’m guessing Cuban Spanish would also differ.
September 11, 2020 @ 2:19 am
What damn planet are you on? The Hispanic community is diverse in music as in the diversity of music in all parts of this country and the world..
There’s not a more awesome talented singer and musician than Raul Malo..Add the other awesome musicians with Raul and there’s no better singing group than The Mavericks en Inglis or Espanol…
September 11, 2020 @ 7:13 am
Maureen – if you’re responding to me, I think you’ve misconstrued my comment by 180 degrees. I was basically saying that I would expect some diversity in Spanish language music.
September 11, 2020 @ 5:29 pm
No has pasado mucho tiempo en Miami, ¿verdad?
Seriously, though. Great record (as usual).
September 10, 2020 @ 10:54 am
Damn it, Trigger, you’re hell on my budget – another album which is a thoroughly enjoyable listen.
It does tend to sound a bit orchestral, but it manages to keep mixing things up. Vocals are stellar throughout. The guitar is hot, but so is the brass and accordion. And it’d be an absolute joy to chill behind the drum set on a bunch of these tracks.
I may not understand a single sentence in it, but I’ll take it a thousand times over that feline farce from Old Dominion. Heck, those guys couldn’t even be bothered with sampling a real cat.
September 10, 2020 @ 11:56 am
Streaming service is the only way I can keep up with all theses releases.
September 10, 2020 @ 8:12 pm
Yes, I’ve been enjoying it via Apple Music, but at some point the guilt will set in and I’m likely to toss it in my Amazon shopping cart.
September 10, 2020 @ 11:41 am
Only tangentially related, but I have been sending everybody a a badly filmed YouTube clip of Raul singing He Stopped Loving Her Today. It’s the best cover of that song that I have ever heard, unfortunately on a shaky cell phone video at a concert. Do a search.
as someone else said in the comments, this man could sing the phone book and it would be mind-blowing.
September 10, 2020 @ 12:38 pm
Always love The Maverick’s.
And, agree with Albert.
Santana’s guitar, Tommy Lee Jones – pick a movie.
Raul’s voice is one of the greats, in line with, Mario Lanza, Andrea Bocelli, etc.
September 10, 2020 @ 12:51 pm
I wasn’t so sure when I heard about this album. But since its release I haven’t stopped playing it! I think it’s outstanding and Raul Malo’s vocals are just something special. It’s just a feel good album – The Mavericks are just a feel good band. They brighten up anyday
September 10, 2020 @ 1:03 pm
There is a wealth of good music in South America, but someone needs to tell the south Americans. Everywhere i went they were listening to reggaeton. Ewww.
I got into Ricardo Arjona when i was trying to learn Spanish.
For country fans, check out Historia del taxista, and Lo poco que tengo.
Problem was that everyone in Chile laughed at me when i said i like Ricardo.
September 10, 2020 @ 1:13 pm
Most people in the world just listen to the lowest common denominator pop-music of the day. If I didn’t know better I’d think (and say) everybody in America listens to trap music – based on the fact that it’s blasting out of every car, everywhere I go.
In fact, I wouldn’t be into country music today if I’d stuck with my previous false impression that all country was simply top-40 radio country, because that’s all you hear in public spaces and on TV.
September 10, 2020 @ 3:33 pm
”Most people in the world just listen to the lowest common denominator pop-music of the day.”
truer words never spoken
its a kardahsian kulture
September 10, 2020 @ 7:57 pm
Ha – so the show title should’ve been “Keeping DOWN With the Kardashians”, eh?
September 10, 2020 @ 6:30 pm
You hit the nail on the head. Go into just about any Mexican restaurant these days and instead of hearing some of the wide-ranging wealth of sound coming from that culture all you hear is a reggaeton and other big drum sounding noise. Mexican music doesn’t suck and is nothing to be ashamed of but I digress from The Mavericks which isn’t really Mexican music even though the influence is there. I just had to agree with the take on reggaeton.
The Mavericks have been a solidly consistent band since the early 90’s. Great stuff on this album. It will be added to my collection.
September 10, 2020 @ 1:55 pm
You should’ve written the review in Spanish.
September 10, 2020 @ 5:18 pm
Unfortunately the only Spanish I know involves running a full service kitchen and cussing somebody’s mother 10 different ways.
September 10, 2020 @ 3:33 pm
This is just fantastic. Can’t understand a damn word but it doesn’t matter. Music is the common language.
September 10, 2020 @ 5:15 pm
Got no interest in listening to something i can’t understand.
September 10, 2020 @ 9:07 pm
Wow, what an amazing voice! As vocal skills decline in English-language songs, I continue to be impressed by the caliber of Latin vocalists.
The melody in “Cuando Me Enamoro” is just perfect as well. It ranks right up there with the great Mexican romantic songs by Luis Miguel, Vicente Fernandez, Pepe Aguilar, Juan Gabriel, Alejandro Fernandez, and others.
“Recuerdos” is a bit too Caribbean for my tastes, but it is pretty solid as well.
By the way, Trigger, have you heard of Cristian Nodal? He is a relatively new Mexican singer who makes better country-style music than the vast majority of the songs on country radio. Here is one of his hit songs:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ozlriamzp-c
Just pure musical perfection right there.
September 11, 2020 @ 7:38 am
Eric, i discovered Nodal through the Grady Smith channel and love his stuff, even if not so country sounding to me…Cool stuff by the Mavericks kinda like “la pistola y el corazon” by Los Lobos.
September 10, 2020 @ 9:11 pm
Just listened to En Español. Some of Malo’s compositions sound lugubrious and overlong (the lead track nearly put me off listening to the rest of the album). I tend to like the covers better than the originals. Overall, I’d say the production needed a lighter touch; it’s too heavy-handed.
September 11, 2020 @ 2:12 am
I have this awesome CD En Espanol .Amor.Amor…
September 12, 2020 @ 5:19 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prPn7DRi69w
this is so otherworldly good I don’t know if I’m gonna wet my pants or breakdown crying .
just overwhelmingly gorgeous
September 19, 2020 @ 8:55 am
This grew on me after a few listens, however Cuando Me Enamoro grabbed me immediately, and by listen two I was (clumsily) singing the chorus and dancing around the living room. So glad to hear Raul Malo’s soothing voice during these trying times.
I think I need to download Duolingo again and refresh my Spanish…
September 17, 2022 @ 12:25 am
Having seen them in London a couple of weeks ago, the songs they performed from this album worked really well as live numbers and the audience loved them.
I bought the album and am listening to it again this morning. Makes me want to learn Spanish to understand the songs!????????
But the combination of the upbeat tempo, the sound production and the artistry of the musicians is compelling listening even if you don’t understand all the words. Add to that a lead singer that has arguably one of, if not THE, greatest voices of his generation and this album can only be a good thing for Spanish -language music reaching a wider audience.
I once saw Raoul do a solo set in a small hall in Cambridge some years ago. I don’t have the words to describe how good his voice is when heard acapella.