A Mi Mexico Querido

One doesn't have to be from Guadalajara or anywhere else in Mexico to perform mariachi; there are plenty of life-long U.S. citizens performing mariachi in Los Angeles, San Antonio, Chicago and a long list of other cities with large Mexican-American populations. Lorenzo Méndez is a perfect example; he was born in Northern California and speaks both Spanish and English — and he favors a mariachi/ranchera orientation on his debut album, A Mi México Querido ("To My Dear Mexico"). In the early 21st century, mariachi has an old-school image — much more so than banda and norteño, both of which have been around for many years (although not as long as mariachi) but have evolved in ways that have helped them maintain a more youthful image. Nonetheless, mariachi still attracts young performers, and Méndez was only 19 when Fonovisa released this 36-minute CD in April 2006. Méndez is young enough to be Vicente Fernández' grandson, but that doesn't prevent him from being greatly influenced by Fernández on such enjoyable, horn-powered tracks as "Plegaria Guadalupana," "Lobo y Cordero," "Deja" and the title song. Although mariachi/ranchera-oriented, A Mi México Querido (which was recorded during a visit to Mexico City) is not the work of a mariachi or ranchera purist; some of the tracks are essentially Latin pop with mariachi overtones. Despite the presence of mariachi horns and strings, "Eternamente" and "Es Esa Mujer" are Latin pop ballads along the lines of Marco Antonio Solís, Juan Gabriel and José José. But this album has plenty of hardcore mariachi/ranchera, and the sombrero-sporting Méndez sings with a maturity and a depth that belies his youth whether he is providing straight-up mariachi/ranchera or Latin pop. A Mi México Querido falls short of outstanding, but it is definitely a solid and promising debut from the expressive Méndez.