This writer would be among the first to admit that The Mavericks are one of roots music’s elite live bands. Yet, there’s too often been a sameness and blandness to their songwriting, which detracts from their stellar musicianship and one of the best voices on the planet, that of leader Raul Malo. So, give this unit top-notch songs as on Play the Hits, a stellar collection of covers, and naturally, the results are outstanding.
These are songs that the band cut their teeth on, several of which remain staples in their live shows. The songs are dissembled and reimagined with the Mavericks stamp, the long-running unit that has Malo on multiple instruments alongside exciting, crowd-pleasing guitarist Eddie Perez and keyboardist Jerry Dale McFadden. Holding it together is drummer Paul Deskin. As per live shows, the four are augmented by “The Fantastic Five,” – Michael Guerra (accordion, percussion), Max Abrams (saxophones), Julio Diaz (trumpet, percussion) Lorenzo Molina Ruiz (trumpet, percussion) and Ed Friedland (upright and electric bass). Martina McBride guests on “Once Upon a Time,” Mickey Raphael on “Why Can’t She Be You” and Matt Cappy (trumpet) on “I’m Leaving It Up to You.”
Several of these are from the Classic Country Songbook. The set kicks off with John Anderson’s “Swingin’,” with Malo sounding determined to go visit Charlotte Johnson on her front porch swing. (“I always though that underneath, it could be a really sexy song,” Malo says.) They channel Waylon’s “Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way” in an uptown way with horns as opposed to the original ornery version. Later the horns join for a Vegas-like version of “Don’t Be Cruel.” A staple of their live shows is Springsteen’s “Hungry Heart,” delivered in similar fashion here.
Yet, this wouldn’t be a Mavericks album without some ballads where Malo could croon superbly. He does just that on Freddie Fender’s “Before the Next Teardrop Falls’ and Willie’s “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain,” the latter performed solo. Other highlights include “Once Upon a Time” that features Martina McBride and Hank Cochran’s “Why Can’t She Be You.”
Look closely at the repertoire here. It’s emblematic of the Mavericks approach – classic country, Sun Records, Tejano, ’50s and ‘60s R&B, pop, and contemporary rock. It’s especially remarkable given Malo’s Cuban American heritage but that too has been part of their genre-agnostic approach that has served them well for 30 years, and maybe never better than the way they sound here.
One Response
Blandness in songwriting? Are you freaking serious?? Alan and Raul are amazing songwriters!