Los lonely Boys are:
Henry Garza:Guitar, vocals
Ringo Garza:drums, backing vocals
JoJo Garza: Bass, vocals
Los Lonelys Boys History:
The Garza Brothers grew up in a small town in texas. Henry garza, the bands guitarist, started playing from a very young age, influenced by his dad mostly. Joey, aka JoJo started off playing guitar, then switched to piano, then finally the bass. Ringo started playing drums at the age of nine and thats when it all started.
They originally played with their dads band, but over time they realized that they had to get away from that, and do their own stuff. Finally the got their first gig in Atlanta. Then decided to come back to Texas and do it all there.
Officially a trio, the band was know then for exciting acts and great shows. Though at the time they didnt know it, theyre tastes for the classics would lead them to their sound. "We wanted to do something that was us, something new. That's what me and my brothers did, and now we're bringing it around to where we're recording it and people will be able to hear the way we do it in today's world.", quoted by Henry Garza.
The Garza brothers know that they are a good live band, but when it came to recording, all the times before they were never really happy with the end results. "But on this album I can honestly say I'm happy with the whole thing, the guitar tone, the guitar parts, vocal parts, the way the whole vibe of the record … I'm really proud of it."
For more of the Biography, go to Los Lonely Boys official website www.loslonelyboys.org
Now a little from me......
I first heard of Los Lonely Boys in guitar world magazine, where they did a little article about them, and at that time, There were just another band that I had no interest in. Then a friend of mine told me to download 1 or 2 of their songs because their guitarist was really good. Now my friend has been know to exaggerate somewhat, but needless to say, I followed his advice. And I have to say that my friend was right. Henry Garza (guitarist) is an excellent player, who when you listen to his playing you are reminded of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Carlos Santana (his old stuff). I was instantly blown away by there sound. The bass is outstanding on this cd. You have no idea how good of a bass player he is. Though the drums are nothing to write home about, they get the job done. But thats enough of that. Heres a track by track review of Los Lonely Boys self titled.
1. Senorita: This was a good song to pick to start off the cd. As soon as the songs starts you get a taste of Henrys guitar playing skills. The bass is outstanding and is a driving force in this song. The chorus is catchy but the verses is what i felt brought it down just a little. There not bad, but there nothing spectacular. I must mention that there is a solo in this song and almost every other one on here. Henry doesnt use that many effects like other guitarists now days. He uses the good ol' wa-pedal on this one and rips out a good solo. No its no 5 minute solo, but its good. Overall this song has some low points, but there are alot more high points to bring it back up. 4/5
2. Heaven: Ahhh, the single, and the first one I might add to that. My perception on singles now days is that there listenable for only 1 or 2 times (on most of them). "heaven" is not one of those singles. I have yet to get tired of this song. Its a little more pop-ish than there other stuff, but it has such a good vibe to it. Its a "happy" song. There are 2 solos in it. Two good "catchy" solos. The guitar is good in this one as always. Bass is fine, drums are fine. Everything is near perfect. Plus if you havent heard this song, you must have been living underneath a rock. Im giving it a 4.5/5
3. Crazy Dream: Henry does a Stevie Ray Vaughan style guitar intro on this one, and I say that because that style that he uses in the intro (I forget what its called) was made popular by stevie. It has a good beat to it, but I felt that the verses brought this one down as well. There not bad, they just seem to drag on a bit too long. The chorus is good and catchy as always and the solos good in it too. I really dont have much more to say about this one, other than im giving it a 3/5
4. Dime mi Amor: This one lets you know that they do in fact speak spanish fluently. It starts off with the title being said (yes its in spanish, no i dont know what it means). Though some of it is in spanish, i really liked this one. It has a good rythym to it, and I must say that it has my favorite solo on it. He shows off just a little of what he can do. Everything flows well in this one, even with the spanish. Though i did like this one alot, i have to give it a 3.5/5 because its not for everybody.
5. Hollywood: Nice acoustic intro and the only full acoustic song on this cd. The bad thing is that the lyrics, verses, chorus and pretty much everything else bring this one down because there is a big shift in the sound after the intro. I was a bit dissapointed with this one and thats why im giving it a 1.5/5
6. More than love: Uhh ohh, its the love song. And theres not much more to say about it than that. It stays slow the whole time, with no tempo shifts (which would have helped in my opinion), and the guitar is very un-noticable on this one other than the short and what i think is good solo on it. Though its not the best bluesy love song ive ever heard, its still very listenable. Im giving it a 2.5/5
7. Nobody Else: Personally I love the intro on this one. Its one of my favorite tracks on the cd. Everything flows together well. Also, thers another good solo on this one. This is what the Los Lonely Boys are good at doing. Making fun, catchy songs that you can easily tap your foot to. 4.5/5
8. Onda: To start off, please dont ask me what the name means, because I have yet to find out. This is kinda like the instrumental song on the album, and its over 8 minutes long. And this is one of the songs that guitar world was talking about. Personally though the first 1 1/2 minutes were good, but after they say the title a few times and change the tempo to a faster pace, it becomes a not so nice piece. It drags on and on and on. Henry is a good guitar player, but with blues players, they seems to play the same thing over and over again. 4 minutes would have been ok, but over 8? Thats just riduculous. I know hes trying to show his skills, but he didnt have to show it like this. Im giving the first 1 1/2 minutes of the song a 4/5. Im giving the whole actual song a 1.5/5.
9. Real Emotions: Im not sure why but when this song started off I was instantly reminded of Ritchie Valens, who is also one of henrys influences. The guitar work in this one is very good I think. Verses, chorus and everything else all have a really good beat to them. Theres not much else to say about this one, other than im giving it a 4/5
10. Tell me why: Good intro to it. Verses and chorus all sail smoothly. Good solo also ( I know i say the same thing about all the solos, but theres only so much you can say about one). This ones good but not perfect. 4/5
11. Velvet Sky: This is one of the tracks I downloaded and this is what got me into them. Its a slower tempoed song, but nothing like "more than love". Short and sweet solo in it. Good feel to it. Not much else to say. 4/5
12. La Contestacion - featuring willie nelson-: This is a piano song and is entirely in spanish. NO ENGLISH WHATSOEVER!!! To me on this song, its not a bad thing. Even though I cant understand a word there saying, it still has a very nice feel to it, and flows well. There is 2 minor little itty bitty kinda solo pieces in this one. One by henry on electric, the other by wille on acoustic. Of course henrys is simple but effective, and willies, though you cant hear it all that well, is good too. Overall its a 4/5
13. End Of A New Beginning - Live Video: You have to pop this one in the good ol' computer to see it. It consists of one song, an instrumental, which is WAAAAY better than onda. LLB shows off their stuff on this one. When you first hear it, its like listeing to stevie ray vaughan. Theres alot of his influence on this song. You get to see how good JoJo the bass player is and see how henry is getting close to being the mexican replica of stevie ray. I loved this one, its well worth your time to put it in your computer and watch it. Overall a 4.5/5
The Pro's to this cd:
Henrys Guitar playing is really good, and I think he could be a guitar hero some day.
Bass is outstanding.
Catchy songs
At least 2 solos in almost every song.
The cd has a real nice feel to it, makes you feel relaxed as long as you keep an open mind with it.
Signifigant feel of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Carlos Santana, and some Ritchie Valens all of the songs.
Great Musicianship
The Cons:
The speak spanish alot on this cd, which could be a major turn off to some.
Some songs tend to go on too long, such as "Onda"
Its not for every one, due to them speaking spanish
Overall this was a good Debut album. Some tracks have their faults in them, but there are many more tracks to bring them back up. The Garza Brothers deserve alot more attention than they get.
I recommend this cd to any blues fan, or anybody who wants to have a little clean, catchy fun while listening to great musicianship in the process.
Recommended songs (no particular order)
Heaven
Real Emotions
Nobody Else
Dime Mi Amor
Tell Me Why
*NOTE* LLB is NOT a country band. I dont know why the put heaven on country stations, though its most likely due to the fact that Willie Nelson recognized them.
Try and keep and open mind about this album, or else you'll end up turning it off after only a few songs.
Also, If you like this cd, keep and eye out for an overdue upcoming cd.
