Tara Linda

Luna Nueva -

Sombra de La Luna has a new name - Luna Nueva. So it's been a busy Summer/Fall for Luna Nueva! We excitedly formed in Feb. of this year and spent most of the year shouting-out our newfound sound at gigs, festivals, and parties throughout the Bay area and Sacramento. It has been a celebration that we couldn't wait to preserve in our first recording. So, we started with our favorite Conjunto classic tunes at a studio in Sacramento.

We're really excited about this album; it begins a journey marked variously for all of us. For Tara, it marks her discovery of early Conjunto- 1920's/1930's, the voices- (Lydia Mendoza, Carmen y Laura, and other South Texas women); that magical, old school duet singing style; the early accordion styles (Narciso Martinez, Paulino Bernal); the composers (Augustin Lara). For me it has been experimenting with different styles (dueto) and learning to adapt the accordion to Tara's Spaghetti Western sound (next album). Tara has taught me a lot in all aspects of music. I'm extremely grateful to her generosity in sharing her music with me.

This is Tara's first time singing in Spanish and she feels fortunate to have found musicians eager to put their hearts into this project. This album has new songs as well- Tara's & my first creative foray is a song about La Sirena- "La Luna Negra", plus a Gilberto original- a devilish cumbia "El Diablito y Su Accordeon"! And who would have guessed what gorgeous songs luthier Hilario "Layo" Jimenez writes?!-- we showcase 2 on this album -- at least one is a million dollar song! We even throw in Johnny Cash for good measure.

We dedicate this album to the legends that inspired us. For me they are Pablo Reyes my grandfather, Manuel Guerrero, Los Alegres de Teran, Narciso Martinez, Santiago Jimenez, and Pedro Ybarra. Tara Linda pays tribute to Lydia on this album- her abundant career and spirit have inspired her to sing in new ways for several songs popularized in her day- plus one Lydia original - love ranchera- "Amor Bonito." Tara & I sing most of the duets in the old style. For traditional duet "Quando Bebo", Tara sings with my friend Denise Funari who delivers from the gut...

We were also very fortunate to record in San Antonio @ Chief Records, with Santiago Jimenez Jr. I suggested to Tara to work with Santiago to get that timeless conjunto feel for Lydia's "Amor Bonito". So, Santiago kindly played and produced that one with us.

Santiago Jimemez Jr & Tara Linda

We are 9songs down- 3more to go...! Our line-up for this album is: Tara Linda- drums, voice, bass; Gilberto Reyes- bajo sexto, accordion, voice; Pete Hernandez, accordion, bajo sexto; Hilario Layo Jimenez- bass and bajo. Special guests- Santiago Jimenez, Jr. (accordion, bass, bajo on "Amor Bonito"); Jeff Hobbs (horns, flute, violin); Denise Funari (soulful duet vocal on "Quando Bebo").

TaraLinda.Com

NEW ! Tara Linda gets 5 star review & feature on CD baby !

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