Last October, at Los Globos Night Club Marisol Y Los Hermanos Carlos presented a boleros concert that was so successful that a bigger venue was necessary for the second installment of what now has turned into a series of boleros concerts in an effort to re-introduce this art form to new and younger audiences. The second installment in the series was held at La Plaza de Cultura Y Artes in downtown L.A. on Friday June 13, in front of a capacity crowd.
From an early hour people began to show up at the Plaza De La Cultura across the street from Olvera St. where Marisol Y Los Hermanos Carlos took their first steps in their path as a musical group. Rockers, “poperos”, skankers and metal heads all left their respective musical badges outside the walls to join the young and old bolero enthusiasts as they basked in the poetry of composers like Jose Alfredo Jimenez, Cuco Sanchez, Luis Alcaraz, Alvaro Carrillo and Luis “Guicho” Cisneros Alvear amongst others, which passionately interpreted by Marisol voice and masterfully accompanied by the guitar and “requinto” of Roberto and Pepe Carlos.
Before the show began, Roberto Carlos and Citlalli Chavez, the main organizers and producers of the series did an introduction where they explained that the main goal of these events is to recapture the grandeur of bolero music and to introduce it to newer generations and also to create a space for the genre. A few days later, in the Facebook event page for the concert, Roberto Carlos wrote: “When the project was launched, we never imagined the overwhelming acceptance and support of the LA community. I am glad that in Los Angeles there can be a place where we can celebrate next to our parents, grandparents and people who can teach us and share their wisdom. I am glad that for one night we can be transmitted to the “golden age” listening to the musical poetry of “bolero” music. This project is designed to pay tribute to these great artists, composers, our parents, and the musicians who are preserving the richness of our culture and countries of origin.”
This magical evening of music began with “Nuestro Juramento” followed by other jewels of the genre like “Toda Una Vida”, “Obsesion”, “Piel Canela” and others. Trio interpretations of “ranchera” classics like “Gritenme Piedreas Del Camino” from Cuco Sanchez, or “En El Ulitmo Trago” and “Vamonos” from Jose Alfredo Jimenez fit perfectly into the set.
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Besides the general nostalgia of the evening, the band also touched on more personal feelings as Marisol dedicated “Bonita” to her late aunt, or Roberto talking about the yearning for returning to someone’s birth place before going into “Me Voy Pa’l Pueblo”.
Other highlights of the evening was Marisol Y Los Hermanos Carlos’ interpretation of the Beatles classic, “And I Love Her”; and although Pepe Carlos showcased his mastery of the “requinto” throughout the night, his solo on “Odiame”, left everyone in awe. Other goose bump moments came when Marisol put the microphone away and invited the audience to join in and the love and passion for these beautiful songs could not be more palpable.
Throughout the evening, fans kept shouting out names of famous boleros, amongst them, “Gema”, “Sabor A Mi” and “Amor Eterno”, which Marisol Y Los Hermanos Carlos played to close out this great night of poetry and music.
The series of bolero concerts will continue with the next performance in August, details are still to be disclosed, but be on the lookout as this is definitely a show that cannot be missed.
