Everybody's a critic

Needless to say, I was surprised and pleased to see a review of Javier Estrada's Sangre Gitana in the Summer 2005 issue of Sing Out! As his producer and manager when this CD was recorded in January 2003, I thought it a long shot sending the CD to your publication (which I have read and respected since its inception in the early '60s).

While Derek Beres's review was not exactly enthusiastic (probably less than most I've read over the years), I guess bad publicity is still better than no publicity. However, I would like to clarify a few of the points that he made.

Javier was referred to as the "Mexican Dylan" simply because he performed a Dylan repertoire in 1968. He told me that this is how he learned English or at least Dylan was his basic linguistic training. And his "smoker's" voice may have been another point of similarity with his songwriting idol. I would also venture that his vocal not "keep(ing) rhythm with his instrument" (whatever that means) may be a Dylanesque trait as well.

Regarding the "shoddy recording": the recording was done live, outdoors in a boveda-ceiling performance amphitheater and indoors in another boveda-ceiling room in order to capture the natural echo of this domed structure. There were no overdubs, few takes of individual pieces and minimal editing or other sound enhancements. As his producer, I was attempting to capture the authenticity and emotion of Estrada's performances that thrill his audiences in San Miguel de Allende. I would have also liked to include some of his storytelling that adds greatly to his shows but decided to focus on the music (possibly to the detriment of the feel of Javier's art). I specialize in "field recordings" of often ignored artists; my primary inspiration being the work of John and Alan Lomax from over 50 years ago. Fortunately I am not burdened with the cumbersome equipment requirements that the Lomax's had to endure (my equipment comprises a small Sony Mini Disc recorder and stereo condenser mic).

Looking back at a few of my old Sing Out! issues from the early days, I can see that this publication has made great strides in "modernizing" its format and look. Am I to assume that this is also your benchmark as regards the "professional look" of the folk music you review? Sangre Gitana may not be up to the standards of most of the CDs produced (often overproduced) these days but the music it conveys is real!

John Cowan

(via the Internet)

South River, Ontario

[Just to be clear: 1) Sing Out! began in 1950, not "the early '60s." 2) Utilizing the enhancements available in magazine production and/or music recording isn't a political decision, it's simply one intended to be respectful and friendly to the reader. 3) It's the reviewer's job, in our opinion, to note where he or she feels there is a problem with either and both the performance and/or the production of the recording. Given the ability of even modest equipment today, it's likely that anyone purchasing the CD would rightly expect the quality to be of a certain level ... ignoring that in a review would be unfair to the readers.--The Editors]

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