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Phil Dirt - Reverb Central
PO Box 7240, Santa Cruz, CA 95061-7240 USA

album coverBob Moore and his Orchestra Play 'Mexico' 1 star
Label: Collectables COL-5844

Get ready to be scared - very scared! Bob Moore's "Mexico" was so cool that even Dick Dale covered it, and Eddie Bertrand was inspired to write "Border Town." It's mariachi stylings were half way between the Tijuana Brass and surf. Well, there are one or two others loosely in that vein, but the rest of this is pure studio nonsense.

Bob Moore was a studio lizard. His work is heard on many singles, including under his own name, such as Bob Moore and the Temps' "Trophy Run." As a session bassist and guitar player, be played on hits by Billy Grammer, Red Foley, the Velvets, Roy Orbison, Connie Francis, and Brenda Lee. He also worked with Elvis Presley and on the soundtracks to Adventures in Paradise and My Three Sons. He even played bass at some of Moby Grape's sessions, and appears on disc with Bob Dylan and many others.

Picks: Mexico


"Mexico" 4 stars

This excellent single was modeled after the success of Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass, and was covered by Dick Dale on his King Of The Surf Guitar album and morphed slightly into 'Border Town" by Eddie and the Showmen. It's an excellent single, a commercial cross between the TJB and the east LA Mexican surf 'n' soul sound. Issued in 1961.
Near Surf Instrumental Stereo


"South Of The Border (Down Mexico Way)" 2 stars

This would be cool if not for the sappy strings. Excellent horns play the classic melody, and the acoustic guitar plays the break so sweetly.
Mexican Studio Instrumental Stereo


"La Paloma" 3 stars

Touristy Mexican mariachi music. Very pretty, and perhaps second-best track on the album. Great horns and a satisfactory arrangement that's limited to the mariachi horns, bass, drums, acoustic guitar, and vibraphone. Then, the strings come in at the break and mess up the mood.
Mexican Studio Instrumental Stereo


"Cielito Lindo" CIELITO LINDO1 star

Slushi strings and faux Mexican beat... it's too elevator!
Mexican Studio Instrumental Stereo


"Nuevo Laredo" 2 stars

More slush from the mind of travelogues and NPR. Just no soul.
Mexican Studio Instrumental Stereo


"My Adobe Hacienda" 3 stars

This is a more interesting track, with a better pace and beat, and more authentic horns. The strings are subdued enough that you can pretend they aren't there. The melody is surfable as well, so one of you reverb heads should try it on with vibrato guitar.
Mexican Studio Instrumental Stereo


"El Picador" 3 stars

With an "El Toro" military beat, "El Picador" is a saucy track with lots of bounce and an intriguing sound, at least until the strings ruin it.
Mexican Studio Instrumental Stereo


"Ninita Linda" 2 stars

This is a Bob Moore original. It's a summer afternoon siesta tune. The horns are way better than the rest of the track, which is essentially tourist hotel fare.
Mexican Studio Instrumental Stereo


"Blue Tango"

Strings!!! Jeez, it's like Percy Faith in Tijuana!
Mexican Studio Instrumental Stereo


"Corazon D'oro (Heart Of Gold)" CORAZON D'ORO (HEART OF GOLD)1 star

Soft and slow, strings and horns, and gentle sounds. Totally soundtrack!
Mexican Studio Instrumental Stereo


"Mexicali Rose" 2 stars

Not too far from the stages at the tourist cantinas you'll find this sound. the strings suck the life out of it, but it's still pretty fun.
Mexican Studio Instrumental Stereo


"Vaya Con Dios" VAYA CON DIOS1 star

Soft and slushy, like virtually every other version of this tune issued in the US.
Mexican Studio Instrumental Stereo


"(Theme From) My Three Sons"

Not the original take for TV, but the same tune. Jeepers, what fluff! It even features a chorus right out of bad Euro films of the sixties.
Mexican Studio Instrumental Stereo


"Hot Spot"

This track is nothing like its B-side "Mexico." A boy chorus goes "do-do-dit-do-do-do" as if they are approaching full britches, and the fingers snap smartly while the listener snores. Awful!
Pure MOR Instrumental Stereo


"Autumn Souvenirs (The Four Seasons)"

Oh, my... Dramamine please! Not even cool from the perspective of bachelor pads and lonely housewives.
Pure MOR Instrumental Stereo


"Flowers Of Florence" FLOWERS OF FLORENCE1 star

Another nondescript track with a bit of Mexican flavor and too much elevator noise.
Mexican Studio Instrumental Stereo


"Cologne" COLOGNE1 star

You may think Italy, but it's Mexico... Too poppy to be credible.
Mexican Studio Instrumental Stereo


"Hooten Trumpet" HOOTEN TRUMPET1 star

A cool slapped upright bass is the only thing here worth notice. Otherwise, it's like a transformed hoedown.
Studio Hoedown Instrumental Stereo



[amazon.com customer review]

(5 stars) MEXICAN HOLLIDAY, May 7, 2002
Reviewer:   john szotowski from ottawa, ontario Canada

THIS CD BY BOB MOORE IS ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC. 18 TRACKS OF MEXICAN FLAVOURED INSTRUMENTALS. THERE IS OFCOURSE "MEXICO", HIS ONLY HIT (& A TOP TEN, AT THAT), PLUS OTHER GREAT INSTRUMENTALS THAT IS GUARANTEED TO GET YOU OFF THE COUCH & DANCING UP A STORM. WITH AN ALBUM LIKE THIS, WHO NEEDS VOCALS?

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