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«Damn, listen to the groove these guys have got - Steve must have thought, sipping a beer - Stuff that if they catch us, they'll make us dizzy as hell... better have them on our side. Decided, I'll introduce them to the bosses».
It must have gone just like that.
And don't think he's a kraut, because even though his last name is Berlin, Steve has Roman roots, and it’s confirmed by the following, for which I continue.
The bosses at Slash like the guys, but those instruments they carry are unbearable. And they tell them straight: «A friendly advice: get yourselves an electric guitar, bass, and drums, because if you cross paths with John and Billy in the corridors, they'll shove the bajo sexto and the accordion up your a**. Forewarned is forearmed!».
But the guys are tough, and they hold on tight to the bajo sexto and even the accordion; however, they do follow the advice and also buy the classic rock band equipment.
Now it's time to find a name for the group.
Steve discovered them and, therefore, feels entitled to propose one: as a tribute to his origins, he suggests «Romulus And Remus & The Sons Of The She-wolf». Rejected.
«Capitoline Wolf»? It's already a bit better, and anyway, this wolf story grabs attention.
So, «Listen, Steve, we're from East L.A., so we'll keep the wolves too, but let’s make it Spanish». Done and done, Los Lobos!
Steve initially feels a bit down and sulks, but then he gets over it and joins the pack; however, he will forever hold that veil of sadness in his eyes, for which he is famous, because «Romulus And Remus & The Sons Of The She-wolf» would have been something else entirely.
Yes, it went exactly like that.
And who cares if someone doesn't believe it, now «How Will The Wolf Survive?» is there shouting that there existed a band from East L.A. that, for one reason or another, chose to name themselves Los Lobos.
All this for the newbies, because those who left their heart in the Eighties already knew that the story went just as I told it.
And they also know that «How Will The Wolf Survive?», far from being one of the fundamental albums of the decade, is definitely one of the most fun.
But, as I learned by leafing through the «Settimana Enigministica» under the umbrella, perhaps not everyone knows that... Los Lobos set the table with an even more fun little disc, «... And A Time To Dance»: like «How Will The Wolf Survive?», but without the masterpieces «Don't Worry Baby», «I Got Loaded» and «Evangeline».
But if we want to "only" have fun, it must start here.
Because there is no «Evangeline» but there is «Anselma» to make the little wolves howl with love.
Because it is not yet time for bullfights and serenades, but «Ay Te Dejo En San Antonio» undeniably attests that our guys did well to keep their traditional instruments.
Because back then, those with foresight swore that «La Bamba» would certainly not make them famous, they had already tried with «Come On Let's Go» and nobody paid them any attention; so if you want to throw your money down the drain, don’t say I didn’t warn you.
But above all, because in here is an explosive mix of folklore and rock-a-billy like never heard before that works like a charm, if only you take the trouble to lend an ear to «Let's Say Goodnight», «Walking Song», «How Much Can I Do» and «Why Do You Do».
To show that Steve was right: in the good old days, these were the only ones capable of making the Blasters feel like a turkey drum or, if you prefer, to play them like a bagpipe.
And it gives you chills to think what might have happened if, on that fateful night (because it was night, I was there), Steve was sitting at a table in a joyful ballroom on the Romagna Riviera instead of in a lousy Los Angeles bar.
Because there they might call it tex-mex, but in Italy this is called liscio, ladies and gentlemen.
... To be continued, or as Roman Steve would write, let's meet ASAP to talk about «How Will The Wolf Survive».
Tracklist Lyrics and Samples
01 Don't Worry Baby (02:49)
Standin' there by the window
Starin' out at the night
You've got so many troubles
On your nervous mind
But don't worry baby
It's gonna work out fine
You hear the sound of footsteps
Stealing 'cross the floor
You picked up the receiver
You didn't know what for
Then you saw the shadow
Steppin' through the door
Well don't worry baby
What the world may bring
Well don't worry baby
It won't change a thing
Life is a fly
And then you die
Standin' near by the window
Starin' out at the night
You see your lover leanin'
Against the old street light
But don't worry baby
It's gonna be alright
He was tossin' and turnin'
And he couldn't sleep
It ain't sure to bother
And it was just a dream
So where was he goin'
Headin' down the street
Well don't worry baby
What the world may bring
Well don't worry baby
It won't change a thing
Life is a fly
And then you die
03 Corrido #1 (02:42)
It's been a long and loney lonely year
Since the last time I saw you my dear
Don't you remember when I was in my surrender
I said I'd always love you endlessly
Hey little sweetheart, so how you doing now?
I thought without me you probably would drown
I guess I was wrong and for that it is so long
Take care my darling, I hope to see you around
Parting with you I'll never ever get
Our love can be here and instantly regret
You showed me love and gave me understanding
Baby with out you it's going to leave me shredded
It's been a long and loney lonely year
Since the last time I saw you my dear
Don't you remember when I was in my surrender
I said I'd always love you endlessly
I said I'd always love you endlessly
I said I'd always love you endlessly
06 I Got Loaded (03:24)
Last night I got Loaded
On a bottle of gin, on a bottle of gin
Last night I got loaded
On a Bottle of gin, on a bottle of gin
But I feel alright, I feel alright
I feel alright, I feel alright
Night before last I got loaded
On a bottle of whiskey, on a bottle of whiskey
Night before last I got loaded
On a bottle of whiskey, on a bottle of whiskey
But I feel alright, I feel alright
I feel alright, I feel alright
Tonight I might get loaded
On a bottle of wine, on a bottle of wine
Tonight I might get loaded
On a bottle of wine, on a bottle of wine
But I feel alright, I feel alright
I feel alright, I feel alright
08 Evangeline (02:43)
Evangeline is on the roam
Just barely seventeen
When she left home
Don't know where she is
Or where she's going
She is the queen of make believe, Evangeline
I can still remember this little girl
Black eyes just staring
At this big old world
Ran off to find some American dream
Train ticket in one hand
In her new blue jeans
Evangeline is on the roam
Just barely seventeen
When she left home
Don't know where she is
Or where she's going
She is the queen of make believe, Evangeline
She went out dancin' on a Saturday night
Silk stockings and high heels
Blue liner on her eyes
But on Sunday morning she's all alone
Head lying on the nightstand
By the telephone
Evangeline is on the roam
Just barely seventeen
When she left home
Don't know where she is
Or where she's going
She is the queen of make believe, Evangeline
She is the queen of make believe, Evangeline
11 Will the Wolf Survive? (03:42)
Through the chill of winter
Running across the frozen lake
Hunters are out on his trail
All odds are against him
With a family to provide for
The one thing he must keep alive
Will the wolf survive?
Drifting by the roadside
Climbs each storm and aging face
Wants to make some morning's fate
Losing to the range war
He's got two strong legs to guide him
Two strong arms keep him alive
Will the wolf survive?
Standing in the pouring rain
All alone in a world that's changed
Running scared, now forced to hide
In a land where he once stood with pride
But he'll find his way by the morning light
Sounds across the nation
Coming from your hearts and minds
Battered drums and old guitars
Singing songs of passion
It's the truth that they all look for
The one thing they must keep alive
Will the wolf survive?
Will the wolf survive?
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By Pinhead
"The wolf will survive ..."
‘Evangeline’ should pass into history as the most beautiful song by Los Lobos and one of the most exciting rock’n’rolls of modern times.
