THE DELGADO BROTHERS
A Brother's Dream (Bell Asher)
Reviewed by Eric Steiner

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The Delgado Brothers' return to recording, after a dozen years off, has produced a solid set of rock, soul and blues with a slight Spanish accent. A Brother's Dream is the Delgado Brothers' third CD on their own label, Bell Asher. This East-LA band is fronted by Steve (drums), Joey (guitars), and Bob (bass) Delgado, and backed by Ray Solis on congas and Dave Kelly on keyboards. Sitting in with the brothers are harp player and producer John "Juke" Logan (of Mocombo Records), Vic Bisetti (Los Lobos), Johnny "Vatos" Hernandez and John Avila (Oingo Boingo), and other friends from the LA music scene. On "Lost in the Shuffle," Steve's soulful lead vocals and guitar remind me at times of Robert Cray, but it wouldn't be right to pidgeonhole the Delgado Brothers like that. They've got quite a joyful and hopeful sound buoyed by congas and Mexican rhythms in songs about family ("Picture of You," "What's It Gonna Be") or straightahead blues rockers like "Leave Me Alone" or "Betty Sue Boogaloo." An outstanding roots effort, and I hope we'll see them again long before a dozen years passes.

Track List:

Mama's Crying * Joy You Bring * Lost in the Shuffle * Betty Sue Boogaloo * What's It Gonna Be * Let's Go * Picture of You * Do You See Me * Jennie * In Step * Leave Me Alone * Talk to My Friend

© 2004 - Eric Steiner