Café Tacvba: Thirty Years of Music and Love!
Published in Vallarta Tribune
By Christie Seeley
Vallartasounds.com
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the talented and versatile Latino Rock group Cafe Tacvba and they are going strong! Throughout their long career together beginning in the early 80’s in Ciudad Satelite of Mexico City, the band made up of singer, composer, activist and totally innovative producer Ruben Albarrán; guitarist, singer, composer and novelist Joselo Rangel; his very talented bass playing brother with the voice of an angel, Quique Rangel; and the philosophical keyboardist, composer/singer “Meme” Emmanuel del Real have kept their public anxiously awaiting each fabulous new incarnation they present as they move forward in their musical trajectory year after year.
Last year’s tour was spectacular, filled with messages of hope and determination in spite of the world’s difficult political developments both at home and across the border about which they feel very keenly. As Meme expressed regarding the song Futuro from their latest album, “you live in a country like this or with a neighbor like the one we have, you can't be not taking care of what's happening...You can't not say something about it." The future is now. Speaking of Title song Hei Baby—a song about reaching out and communicating, a frequent theme in the group’s lyrics— Rangel says with a laugh “The four of us are not 'bad hombres,' I think we want to give to the people from Mexico and from other countries in Latin America — to bring them comfort and hope."
Not always a perfect marriage, the individuals have each branched out in their own direction from time to time only to come back with a treasure trove of unique experiences to meld into their perfect musical message. Ruben is known to take on new identities using them exclusively in exchange for the old and tells us that sometimes he just needs a break from being Ruben Albarrán and finds it refreshing to be someone else. Sometimes he sees it as a game but in the end believes it brings home new inspiration and is even therapeutic. What does not change is the commitment to the causes and principals the fellows embrace. They are totally modern but tied to traditional roots that they treasure. Although they have a great following in the US, they still sing only in Spanish and honor the musical forms and beliefs of their forefathers while at the same time being actively involved in the modern world, it’s issues and it’s challenges. Ruben does not miss an opportunity to show his commitment to causes he espouses.
What impressed me greatly at this year’s 30th anniversary tour which I attended in Santa Rosa, California on October 10 with my family was the love. Cafe Tacvba’s connection with their audience is intense and sincere. Ruben treated the audience like his family offering inspirational words, the warmth that only he can exude and a seeming reluctance to leave us behind.
Encore,Encore and Encore Cafe Tacvba!
Published in Vallarta Tribune
By Christie Seeley
Vallartasounds.com
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the talented and versatile Latino Rock group Cafe Tacvba and they are going strong! Throughout their long career together beginning in the early 80’s in Ciudad Satelite of Mexico City, the band made up of singer, composer, activist and totally innovative producer Ruben Albarrán; guitarist, singer, composer and novelist Joselo Rangel; his very talented bass playing brother with the voice of an angel, Quique Rangel; and the philosophical keyboardist, composer/singer “Meme” Emmanuel del Real have kept their public anxiously awaiting each fabulous new incarnation they present as they move forward in their musical trajectory year after year.
Last year’s tour was spectacular, filled with messages of hope and determination in spite of the world’s difficult political developments both at home and across the border about which they feel very keenly. As Meme expressed regarding the song Futuro from their latest album, “you live in a country like this or with a neighbor like the one we have, you can't be not taking care of what's happening...You can't not say something about it." The future is now. Speaking of Title song Hei Baby—a song about reaching out and communicating, a frequent theme in the group’s lyrics— Rangel says with a laugh “The four of us are not 'bad hombres,' I think we want to give to the people from Mexico and from other countries in Latin America — to bring them comfort and hope."
Not always a perfect marriage, the individuals have each branched out in their own direction from time to time only to come back with a treasure trove of unique experiences to meld into their perfect musical message. Ruben is known to take on new identities using them exclusively in exchange for the old and tells us that sometimes he just needs a break from being Ruben Albarrán and finds it refreshing to be someone else. Sometimes he sees it as a game but in the end believes it brings home new inspiration and is even therapeutic. What does not change is the commitment to the causes and principals the fellows embrace. They are totally modern but tied to traditional roots that they treasure. Although they have a great following in the US, they still sing only in Spanish and honor the musical forms and beliefs of their forefathers while at the same time being actively involved in the modern world, it’s issues and it’s challenges. Ruben does not miss an opportunity to show his commitment to causes he espouses.
What impressed me greatly at this year’s 30th anniversary tour which I attended in Santa Rosa, California on October 10 with my family was the love. Cafe Tacvba’s connection with their audience is intense and sincere. Ruben treated the audience like his family offering inspirational words, the warmth that only he can exude and a seeming reluctance to leave us behind.
Encore,Encore and Encore Cafe Tacvba!