Texas Tornados - Zone Of Our Own (1991)

The ultimate Tex-Mex supergroup, Texas Tornados were composed of some of the genre's most legendary figures: Doug Sahm, Augie Meyers (Sahm's bandmate in the groundbreaking Sir Douglas Quintet), Hispanic country star Freddy Fender, and accordion virtuoso Flaco Jimenez. The group's infectious, party-ready sound blended country, early rock & roll, Mexican folk music, Roots Blues, Tex-Mex and whatever other roots music crossed their paths. "Zone Of Our Own", the second album from the all-star quartet of Freddy Fender, Flaco Jimenez, Augie Meyers, and Doug Sahm, isn't quite up to the same level as their superb self-titled debut, but it sure doesn't miss by much. Doug Sahm's "I'm Not That Kat Anymore" and "Is Anybody Goin' To San Antone" (which he didn't write, but became closely associated with via the Sir Douglas Quintet) sound fresh, sturdy and exuberant.  Freddie Fender again brings a show-stopping ballad, "Oh Holy One", his vocal swoops can make grown men cry. Flaco Jimenez burns up the squeeze box on "La Mucura," The accordion of Flaco Jimenez is masterful, as he displays his effortless command of everything from melancholy chordal backdrops to pulsing Tex-Mex dance steps. Augie Meyers gets to show off his bluesy side on "Did I Tell You." For all the sonic diversity of the Texas Tornados, "Zone of Our Own" still sounds like it's all of a piece, like the play list of some blessedly eclectic radio station beaming out along the border, as the four frontmen bounce off each other with joyous aplomb. If you're looking for some aural seasoning for your next barbecue, "Zone of Our Own" is just the bottle of hot sauce you need.

Track listing

01.  "(Is Anybody Going To) San Antone"   (Dave Kirby, Glenn Martin)   - 3:11   

02.  "La Mucura"  (Antonio Fuentes, Antonio Mata)  - 2:42   

03.  "Bailando"  (Augie Meyers)  - 3:07   

04.  "I'm Not That Kat Anymore"  (Doug Sahm)  - 2:58   

05.  "Oh Holy One"  (Freddy Fender)  - 4:09   

06.  "He Is a Tejano"  (Doug Sahm)  - 3:27   

07.  "El Pantalon Blue Jean"  - 2:33   

08.  "Just Can't Fake It"  (Doug Sahm)  - 2:47   

09.  "Did I Tell You"  (Augie Meyers, Gavin Povey)  - 3:47   

10.  "Volver" (Miguel Trujillo)  - 2:32

Released:  1991

Label:  Reprise

Genre:  Roots Rock, Tex-Mex

Length:  31:13

Producer:  Bill Halverson, Texas Tornados

Personnel

Freddy Fender

Doug Sahm

Flaco Jiménez

Augie Meyers