A musical suggestion: If you’re even remotely interested in Mexican music, track down a copy of Mexico 100: Una Verdadera Maquina del Tiempo. It’s an awesome two-disc compilation of the last century of Mexican music: fluid ballads like Aguistin Lara’s “Farolito,” archival classics like Carlos Gardel’s “Volver,” and violin waltzes like Jorge Negrete’s “Mexico Lindo Y Querido.” Spliced between songs are bits of old Mexican radio — jingles for old products and big moments in Mex radio history, like the announcement of Frida Kahlo’s death or part of a speech by Madero. Disc 2 is a bit weaker, since it focuses on more recent times (and the horrible production values Mexico imported from America in the 1980s), but even it has its great moments, like Mayte Gaos’ cover of “Chapel of Love” and a live Los Fabulosos Cadillacs track.

I don’t think “Mexico 100” is available in the U.S.; it was assembled by Sanborns, a Mexican retail chain (and one of the foundations of the fortune of Carlos Slim, the richest man in Latin America). But you can buy it online for the low low price of 80 pesos — about $7.50. Don’t know about shipping to the States, though.

05 February 2005

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