Rating:
Genre:
Latin
Release Date: 02/05/2008
If a regional Mexican group has "de Durango" or "del Pasito Duranguense" in its name, that doesn't necessarily mean that the group is actually based in the Mexican state of Durango (or anywhere else in Mexico, for that matter). The group might actually be based somewhere in the United States, in which case the "de Durango" part becomes a stylistic reference rather than a reference to actual location; in fact, Chicago (the duranguense capital of the U.S.) has been the home of
Grupo Montéz de Durango,
los Horóscopos de Durango,
K-Paz de la Sierra and many other duranguense acts. Another Chicago-based duranguense act is
los Creadorez del Pasito Duranguense de Alfredo Ramirez, which is an offshoot of the popular
Grupo Montéz de Durango. The fact that
Listos, Montados y Armados is very
Montéz-influenced isn't surprising when you consider that several ex-members of
Montéz, including lead singer
Alfredo Ramirez, are part of
los Creadorez. There has been some debate among duranguense fans over whether
los Creadorez or the band that is still billing itself as
Grupo Montéz de Durango is the stronger band; suffice it to say that this 2008 release is a solid example of the bouncy duranguense style. Under
Ramirez' direction,
los Creadorez deliver infectious, addictive duranguense on energetic offerings such as
"Mi Durango Bonito," "El Chilito Pasao" and
"Si Yo Fuera Otro." Two
Marco Antonio Solís songs are successfully given duranguense makeovers (
"Este Adios," "Desde Entonces"), and
Ramirez' melancholy
"Voy a Llorar por Tu Ausencia" unites duranguense's rhythmic bounce with a classic ranchera mood. Meanwhile,
"El Collar de Guamuchil," "El Moro de Cumpas" and
"El Cuerno de Chivo" underscore
los Creadorez' proficiency with corridos (which, thankfully, have maintained their popularity in regional Mexican music after all these years). This consistently appealing effort can only help Chicago maintain its reputation as the duranguense capital of los Estados Unidos.
~Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
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