Larry & Joe’s debut album, Nuevo South Train, features original songs and innovative interpretations of traditional folk tunes from Venezuela and the American South, a style they call “Latingrass.” The twelve tracks were produced by guitar virtuoso Charlie Hunter and include the Llanera classic, “Caballo Viejo” and Bluegrass favorite “Roll in my Sweet Baby’s Arm,” and the original song “Border Wall” sung in English and Spanish with a gospel-tinged refrain calling out for reflection.
Larry Bellorín hails from Monagas, Venezuela and is a legend of Llanera music, a sub-genre of Joropo. Larry was forced into exile and is an asylum seeker in North Carolina where he worked as a construction worker. Joe Troop is from North Carolina and is a Grammy-nominated bluegrass and old-time musician. Joe, after a decade in South America, got stranded back in his stomping grounds during the pandemic. Joe’s acclaimed “Latingrass” band Che Apalache took a hiatus, and he shifted into action teaming up with Larry to create this special album and bilingual live show.
Currently, based in the Triangle of North Carolina, both men are versatile multi-instrumentalists and singer-songwriters whose mission proves music has no borders. As a duo they perform a fusion of Venezuelan and Appalachian folk music on harp, banjo, cuatro, fiddle, maracas, guitar, upright bass, and whatever else they throw in the van. Larry & Joe’s performance features a distinct blend of musical heritage and storytelling about how music and social movements coalesce.
Today Glide is excited to premiere Larry & Joe’s rendition of one of the most popular Latin American Christmas songs, “Mi Burrito Sabanero,” ahead of its official release date on Friday, November 24th. Written by the infamous Venezuelan harpist and composer Hugo Blanco and first recorded in 1975, Larry & Joe’s take on “Mi Burrito Sabanero” comes out of performing the song live at holiday events for Christmas 2022. Featuring fun banter between Larry & Joe that eventually leads to vibrant harmonies, this feel-good holiday tune finds them spreading good cheer as they trade licks with banjo and cautro. The addition of an e-bass line and twin fiddles also adds to the bouncy, playful nature of the song. Whether you are a fan of this talented duo or not, this may just be your new favorite Christmas tune.
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