Raul Malo from the Mavericks singing "At Last"(Etta James) and Roy Orbison "Cryin" live c/d

After a couple cds consisting of covers he's got a new cd coming out of originals. Alas, he's staying in his little Orbisonesque niche. Gonna go see him live again tonight though (4 years later)

Those covers albums didn't do much for me but the first solo album had some pretty fair Latin-influenced material, and some good old cheese, too. His work on the second Los Super Seven album was stellar. He does have a hell of a voice.

My thumbnail review of the new album, due in March: Consistently great singing; consistently mediocre material; dabbles in unfashionable styles. (My favorite song could have fit right in with the mid '90s swing revival, oddly enough.)

Really liked his Charlie Rich cover on that Don Imus comp a couple months ago, though. Wrote this about it for rollingstone.com:

Raul Malo, “Life Has Its Little Ups and Downs”

Underscored by blues ladies and supper-club piano, a rich-voiced old Maverick revives some 1969 Charlie Rich country-soul, crestfallen about losing that raise and having to postpone buying a new house, but relieved his wife understands. Easily the highlight of the Don Imus-curated charity compilation The Imus Radio Ranch, the song comes with cautious optimism attached: Someday, your 401(k) will bounce back.

I still like Malo's voice but the songs on the latest Mavericks cd "In Time" do not wow me, like they clearly do others (I saw it on 2 end of year best of lists)

Even so: The Mavericks = one of the most underrated/overlooked groups of the last 20 years.

Their 2013 In Time is afuckingmazing, far better than anything else I've heard by them or him or many other people. At times taking me to the Southwest, Miami, Cuba, Spain, North Africa, Middle East and back again--not that it's exotica, just a little travelin' music, as Bob Wills would say. Will have to check that Charlie Rich cover; it's one of my favorite songs (written by the always excellent Margaret Ann Rich).

They/he may have done something else this good; I haven't followed them closely.

I'll have to give it another shot, but I was underwhelmed by it.

It's really pretty damn great. "Call Me When You Get To Heaven" is something else.

I inevitably neglect to check out new Mavericks albums, but not so this time! Sounding good.

https://www.npr.org/2020/08/21/904366868/the-mavericks-are-back-this-time-en-espanol

Will give a listen

R.I.P. Raul Malo.

https://tasteofcountry.com/mavericks-raul-malo-dead-dies/

RIP, what an amazing singer :(

Saw yesterday that this was imminent. Sad. RIP

Oh no. Despite some of my nitpicking above, he was a great singer.

This guy was terrific. RIP :(