We have three sections of performance reviews:
This page contains the history of SCRB performance reviews since 2004.
We also have a page of the most recent reviews published in newspapers, their website counterparts, or elsewhere on the web.
Also, there is a special page of wonderful letters and pictures sent from children at the Metaline Falls School in Washington, after The SCRB performed there in April, 2007.
Links to all our reviews are listed below:
The Santa Cruz River Band’s album “Volume 2” is reviewed by Stephanie P. Ledgin in the summer, 2006 issue of Sing Out! Magazine, (Vol. 50 #2). Please visit our links page for Sing Out! Magazine, and Stephanie P. Ledgin’s websites.
Ronstadt, Ramirez
and the Santa Cruz River Band
102705
Based in Tucson, Arizona, Michael J. Ronstadt and Ted Ramirez team up with multi-instrumentalist Gilbert Brown and electric bass player Arthur Miscione as the Santa Cruz River Band. Their latest release features a sumptuous array of American and Mexican folk songs, supplemented by originals that reflect these artists’ Southwest heritage.
The recording presents a rather unique mix, tied together with a distinctive Mexican instrumental approach coupled with characteristic vocalizations. At the same time, the terrific harmonics are reminiscent of such ‘60s stalwarts as the Kingston Trio or the Limeliters, steady, smooth and right on.
From beginning to end, Ronstadt, Ramirez and the Santa Cruz River Band weave together this diverse package of material tastefully. The treatment given John Prine’s “Paradise,” which kicks off the ten tracks, is spirited and filled with expression. Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young,” the sign-off on the CD, is delicately cradled and delivered with a renewed gentle quality. “The Mill,” a nugget from the pen of “labor’s troubadour” Joe Glazer, is also included.
There are only two Spanish-language selections; more would be desirable. The first is the well-known “Tata Dios,” written by prolific 20th century Mexican composer Valeriano Trejo, a school teacher by trade whose songs have been recorded widely. In fact, Ronstadt’s sister, Linda, has recorded this piece. The traditional “Lulo Que Lulo”is equally exquisite in its form and rendering. The singing, in particular on these songs, demonstrates a passionate intensity that envelopes the listener.
“My Beloved Tucson,” written by Ramirez, pays homage to the group’s roots and is sung in English, Spanish and a Native American language, not noted in the liners. Ronstadt and Brown both contribute originals as well. All are equally superb works as is the musicianship throughout the recording.
This is a refreshing, outstanding recording with a special authenticity. Let’s hear more! - SPL
156 Sing Out! • Vol. 50 #2 • Summer 2006
Monday, January 24, 2005
Sergio Martinez, Socal.com Editor
One should always expect to be surprised. One should always assume less visited routes have also glorious scenic views along their hidden paths. In music, as much as in life.
Volume 1, an unassumingly titled southwestern-country-folk album produced by Ronstadt, Ramirez and the Santa Cruz River Band, is one of those jewels you first eye with a tired look and later find yourself showing it to all your friends, relatives, roommates and office co-workers.
But perhaps not everyone can claim the same. In our editorial offices, only I share a significant Mexican musical heritage that allowed me to strongly relate to many of the individual tracks in this record. Other journalists here probably would have found the music puzzling at best.
I, being of Mexican origin and having grown up listening to ranchero and folk music most of my childhood, couldn't resist but to fall for the beautiful arrangements these pair of virtuoso folk musicians have crafted for many traditional Mexican as well as western songs. A la orilla de un Palmar is exquisitely interpreted by both Ramirez and Ronstadt and The Santa Cruz River band.
Voice harmonies, almost extinct nowadays from mainstream music (one has to wonder if they've fallen in disuse or less musicians have the right 'ear' to be able to sing them) soar high in almost every track of Volume 1.
My mother, (who taught me as a young child to do segunda voz -harmony- would love this album from beginning to end.) The vocal arrangements are sweet throughout and very well crafted. I bet everywhere else you find a review of this album, the word haunting will eventually appear. Well sung harmonies, often have that quality.
There is a slight sense of defensiveness that rises when one can clearly hear the Anglo accent while they sing popular Spanish songs. However, this is just an observation and not a complaint against a group of musicians who, regardless of their accent, have made it their mission to preserve and transmit these folk songs to generations to come. In fact, once you consider this, the accent becomes more a chic feature than a nuisance.
Tracks like A la Orilla de un Palmar, El Presidio and La Palomita, get a special treatment from these accomplished musicians (many related to the Ronstadt family.) Again, in these songs as in the rest of the album, harmonies soar. A very special version of El Pastor gives it a very unique 'Son Huasteco' feeling. Falsetto voices give it a really traditional feel while maintaining the speed and cadence of this very special track. El Cantador, another Mexican classic deserves also a worthy mention.
To round off a superb line up of traditional tunes in the album, both Michael Ronstadt and Ted Ramirez also included personal compositions such as Billy Stiles, El Presidio, The Mill of Oracle and Look to Baboquivari.
A tour throughout several US cities will soon begin to support the release of Volume 1 by Ronstadt, Ramirez and the SCR Band.
In southern California, the band will be playing at The Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena (Address 2029 N. Lake, Altadena, CA 91001) on Tuesday, February 15th, 2005 and on Friday, April 8th, 2005. For tickets call 626.398.7917.
Other dates scheduled for Southern California are: Friday, February 11th, 2005 at Acoustic Music in San Diego (for tickets & info call 619.303.8176) and Friday February 18, 2005 at the Dance Palace in Point Reyes Station, CA. For tickets for this venue call 415.663.1075
To find out more about this amazing folk band, to order online one of their CD's or simply to be updated of their whereabouts while they tour, log on to: santacruzriverband.com
These guys pay attention. Whether it’s the lonely presence of a stalwart windmill teetering on a lonely hillside, or the viewpoint of a young Native American Indian boy taken from his home and his culture to a reservation boarding school, or a verdant riverbank in Wales that they contrast to a dusty one to introduce a tale of their native Southwest, there’s great imagery at work here.
Larry Wines, columnist / reviews in FolkWorks and “Tied to the Tracks” on KCSN 88.5 FM / www.kcsn.org “Arts and Roots Radio.”
“Mexican-flavoured country-folk music full of fine vocals and instrumental work The Arizona-based Santa Cruz River Band, led by Michael J. Ronstadt and Ted Ramirez, have been a working band for a number of years and have now self-released these two albums, both readily available in the UK, following a low-key, but highly-successful tour this past summer. The quartet plays country and folk music that cuts across the dividing lines of genre and appeals to the heart and the ear. They describe their music as ‘Southwestern folk music’ a unique merger of American and Mexican folk music. Mexico has always played an influential role in the history of country music from the first commercial recordings of the 1920s through Marty Robbins, and more recent recordings by the likes of the Mavericks.
The talented band, mix it up well by utilizing songs from the likes of Gillian Welch (Annabelle), Bob Dylan (Forever Young), David Olney (Women Across the River) and John Prine (Paradise) alongside well-written originals and some traditional tunes. The interesting combination of country and Mexican music, complete with bilingual Spanish/English lyrics, comes with the infectious Tata Dios and the reflective. They extol the virtues of the homeland in My Beloved Tucson and Living on A Plain and Feel the Wind, and also venture into more traditional country music fare with the sad-tinged Heartbreak. These deceptively simple-sounding folk-country ditties have plenty to say, but they always say it with style. Both these albums are well worth seeking out. Oh, and by the way, Michael J. Ronstadt is the more famous Linda’s older brother.”
Maverick Country Music Magazine, November 2005
TJ BUCK
Published 2004 - Tucson Citizen Newspaper
Few musicians have the talent and genetic predisposition to capture the unique blend of cultural influences that informs Southwestern music.<.p>
With generations of Southwestern music and culture running through their veins, it should come as no surprise that Ted Ramirez and Michael J. Ronstadt have teamed up with the Santa Cruz River Band to deliver the haunting and beautiful CD, "Volume 1." (See review at right.)
Even better for local music fans: Ronstadt, Ramirez and the band will perform a CD release concert 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Stone Avenue Temple.
"We are really proud of it. It was a lot of fun to make," Ramirez said of the album. "We really did it kind of quickly and didn't have any idea what we were going to record. We just sort of played what felt right."
Ramirez and Ronstadt have known each other for several years as members of the Tucson music scene.
"I really enjoy singing and playing with Mike," Ramirez said. "We have both been in Tucson a long time. Our lives and musical tastes are very similar but there is enough of a difference to make collaborating interesting."
Having played in the same concert though with different groups, Ramirez and Ronstadt began to talk and eventually teamed up with the Santa Cruz River Band to record. "I was playing with the band and solo," Ramirez said. "I had always loved what Michael did so I asked him to play on a solo record of mine and from there we decided this CD would be a good thing to do."
To complete the band and record the CD, Ramirez and Ronstadt recruited with Gilbert Brown (steel-string guitar, mandolin, requinto, penny whistle), Arthur Miscione (electric bass) and Ronstadt's cousins Michael G. Ronstadt (violoncello) and Petie Ronstadt (electric bass).
The blend of traditional American and Mexican musical genres the group incorporates into its sound defies easy categorization.
"It is really hard, because people ask us what kind of music we play. So we coined the term 'Southwestern folk music,' " Ramirez said. "It is all very natural for us. It just kind of comes out that way from our lives and our musical backgrounds. We experiment with a lot of different techniques.
"We stay pretty much traditional but try to take the music places by adding different textures and rhythms. It is much more than just having the ability to understand the music intellectually, you have to be able to feel it and play it."
And they certainly do that, both live and on the new CD.
(Published 2004 - Tucson Citizen Newspaper) tbuck@tucsoncitizen.com
“Volume 1”
TJ BUCK-Tucson Citizen
The first CD from Michael J. Ronstadt, Ted Ramirez and the Santa Cruz River Band is, by turns, beautiful, haunting, sorrowful and joyous.
With exquisite musicianship and harmonies, “Volume 1” captures a unique blend of traditional Mexican and American styles with textures of country and blues rhythms to create a sound that is both familiar and refreshingly different.
“Volume 1” opens with a haunting rendition of the traditional murder ballad, “Lilly of the West.” A cover of Gillian Welch’s “Annabelle,” becomes a mournful blues ballad. The original songs by Ramirez (“Billy Stiles” and “El Presidio”) and Ronstadt (“The Mill of Oracle”) stand equally alongside traditional songs such as “A La Orilla De Un Palmar,” “La Palomita,” “El Pastor,” and “El Cantador.”
A stunning vocal performance highlights the group’s version of David Olney’s “Women Across the River.”
Ramirez’s “Look to Baboquivari” about the plight of American Indian children forced to leave their families to attend government schools, is heartbreakingly gorgeous.
You will hear few CDs, from either local or national acts, which are as musically and vocally wondrous as “Volume 1.”
(Published 2004 - Tucson Citizen Newspaper)
