Frontejas

Frontejas

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Hancock's Austin neighbor, Tish Hinojosa, coined a new word for her seventh album. A combination of the Spanish words for border (frontera) and Texas (Tejas), Frontejas describes that part of South Texas where Mexican and American influences are so intermingled that the local culture is neither one nor the other. That intermingling is crucial to Hinojosa's music, and she pays tribute to her Mexican mother on this delightful album. Combining old songs sung by her mother with new songs in the same style, Hinojosa casts much needed light on the Mexican and Tejano traditions of female singing, which tilt the emphasis from dance rhythms to confessions of the heart. More relaxed and assured than Linda Ronstadt's similar albums of Mexican music, Frontejas surrounds Hinojosa's lovely soprano with contributions from such conjunto legends as Flaco Jiminez, Santiago Jiminez, Jr., Mingo Saldivar and Eva Ybarra as well as from such fellow Austin bohemians as Brave Combo, Ray Benson, Peter Rowan and Beto and the Fairlanes. --Geoffrey Himes

Amazon.com

Hancock's Austin neighbor, Tish Hinojosa, coined a new word for her seventh album. A combination of the Spanish words for border (frontera) and Texas (Tejas), Frontejas describes that part of South Texas where Mexican and American influences are so intermingled that the local culture is neither one nor the other. That intermingling is crucial to Hinojosa's music, and she pays tribute to her Mexican mother on this delightful album. Combining old songs sung by her mother with new songs in the same style, Hinojosa casts much needed light on the Mexican and Tejano traditions of female singing, which tilt the emphasis from dance rhythms to confessions of the heart. More relaxed and assured than Linda Ronstadt's similar albums of Mexican music, Frontejas surrounds Hinojosa's lovely soprano with contributions from such conjunto legends as Flaco Jiminez, Santiago Jiminez, Jr., Mingo Saldivar and Eva Ybarra as well as from such fellow Austin bohemians as Brave Combo, Ray Benson, Peter Rowan and Beto and the Fairlanes. --Geoffrey Himes

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful songs, gorgeous voice!!.......2003-05-19

Tish Hinojosa's renditions of Mexican folksongs and boleros like "Pajarillo Barranqueno," "Farolito," "Dejame llorar," and the rarely heard song from Yucatan, "Las Golondrinas," are just glorious. "Malhaya la cocina" is a rarity in Mexican music--a woman complaining about men, instead of the usual "mujer mala, ingrata, perfida, etc." And her rendition of the heart-breaking bolero "Poquita fe" is wonderful. (This Norteno standard is by Puerto Rican composer Bobby Capo.) I'm less fond of her own compositions with their sometimes mangled Spanish, although this CD contains some exceptions--"Con su pluma en su mano," and "Otro vasito" are great songs. "Polka Terrestrial" mangles Spanish and English--on purpose--but it's so joyous that it's great fun. Her singing in Spanish is wonderful, but when she writes in Spanish, she needs help. Some of her lyrics sound like she's thinking in English while trying to write in Spanish.

LOVELY.......2002-07-17

Tish Hinojosa has beautiful voice and I love to hear her sing in Spanish. ...

A Delightful Album.......2000-05-13

I'm a long-time Tish Hinojosa fan and think I've heard everything she's done. In my opinion, this is the best album since "Aquella Noche".Though I do like the bilingual Tish, I am partial to Tish en espanol. It has been written by industry hacks that her bilingual approach hampers her ability to appeal to the masses, but I don't agree.Though Tish has one of the best voices in the business and her songwriting and delivery is second to none, she has not become wildly popular simply because she generally refuses to pander to plebian tastes for the commercial pap that is being promoted by corporate radio conglomerates.Where she has made halting attempts to do so, she has not been successful.Those of you who have never heard Tish sing are in for a treat when you hear her. Her voice is full of emotion, rich, and entirely feminine yet is full of confidence and determination. My favorites on this album are Poquita Fe, Las Marias, and her beautiful cover of Agustin Lara's "Farolito".There is nothing I really dislike on the album. If I had to pick one, it would be "Malhaya la Cocina".Some of Tish's music has a tendency to be a little feminist and a little leftist but I overlook that because she is never strident.It is the overall beauty of her music that is to be appreciated. This album is highly recommended as great place to begin your encounter with Tish's music if you are not yet a fan and a great place to continue if you are.

This is a beautiful album in both the songs and the singing........1998-06-19

...Of all Tish Hinojosa's albums (and I DO have them all), this is one of my favorites. Though not as widely accessible as "Culture Swing", it has some of the most beautiful songs. It is rare for me to like every song on an album but I come very close with this one. Dejame llorar does make me weep, Las Golondrinas as well. About the only song I regularly skip on my CD is "Fronterriesteral"--a little gimmicky for me.

This song really helps me stay in touch with my own Tejana "rootos" :-) and has inspired me to learn and sing the lyrics--good practice for my Spanish. Just so you understand how much I really like this performer and this album--I sent my Mom tickets to a Tish Hinojosa concert for Mother's day followed by sending her this album for her birthday.

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