Angry Germans and Spanish fleas

A recently-married nephew of mine was posting recently on Facebook requesting suggestions for new music he should listen to. I didn’t read much of the thread, as the stuff people were recommending didn’t sound like anything I listen to, and so I wasn’t sure I had anything to add. When I checked back later, though, my sister had chimed in recommending he try some Tijuana Brass, as he was listening to too many “angry Germans” and needed something more cheerful.

I had to laugh, but I know what she’s talking about. I had my own “angry German” phase, although it was angry Swedes in my day. In my late teenage years, whenever I’d get depressed, I’d put on the soundtrack to the musical “Chess” and wallow in angst until I’d had enough. “Chess”, if you’re not familiar with it, is not a happy musical. It begins with people moderately happy, and then it’s all downhill from there until no one is happy. There are some fantastic musical moments in it, but close to thirty years later I can’t bear to listen to it any more.

Conversely, when my sister mentioned Tijuana Brass my brain immediately associated it with happy, upbeat music (which is odd, because Herb Alpert intially broke out with the rather sad “The Lonely Bull”). I remember listening to Herb Alpert (the Tijuana Brass were an invention of his, and was really just him laying down several tracks in the studio. Later on when he was famous enough he had to hire some musicians to be the Tijuana Brass) as a kid, and even bought an album or two when he dropped the Brass and moved toward Jazz. And then he dropped off my radar.

Thanks, Sis! I’m in the mood for a little psuedo-mariachi bounce today!

Here’s one from one of the albums I bought. Long live Disco!

And then there’s this one I rather liked…

https://youtu.be/duIvOuuFpfU

UPDATE: In the process of reliving some old memories I ran across an interesting tidbit I hadn’t known. Herb Alpert gave The Carpenters their break when he signed them to his label and later brought the song “Close to You” to their attention.