Los Lobos provides a perfect ending – Buffalo News Review

By GARAUD MacTAGGART
News Contributing Reviewer

Los Lobos
Tuesday night at Artpark Outdoor Amphitheater in Lewiston.

LEWISTON – What a great night. The weather was pleasant in a cool, almost fall sort of way and one of the most magnificent rock bands of the past two decades was up on stage as the final big-name act in Artpark’s set of free concerts. If you weren’t there, you missed one of the best shows of the summer.

Los Lobos, originally a quartet based out of east Los Angeles, played at all kinds of barrio functions before breaking out of that niche and performing in various rock venues. Since that time, the group has won Grammy Awards, played in support of the Farm Workers Union and sold a fair number of albums.

The band hasn’t lost touch with its roots either, combining language and rhythm from its formative years with new melodic riffs to build timeless tunes like “Luz De Mi Vida” and “Maricela.”

Tuesday night’s gig also featured a classic rock tune (“Come On, Let’s Go” – originally by Richie Valens, the prototypical Mexican rocker) and a few original songs inspired by the past including “Don’t Worry Baby,” “Let’s Go, Let’s Go” and “Evangeline.”

“The Town and The City” is the band’s new album (due for release Sept. 12) and it played a few cuts. Based on the cuts Los Lobos performed, it seemed to have crafted its usual blend of catchy riffs and sobering lyrics. The moody “Hold On” and “The Town” were balanced out by the more uptempo “Chuco’s Cumbia” and “The Road to Gila Bend.”

From a musical standpoint, the band was outstanding. Guitarists Cesar Rosas and David Hidalgo were outstanding, bassist Conrad Lozano was fluid yet understated, and saxophonist/flutist/keyboardist Steve Berlin was perfect when comping in the background but capable of strongly characterized solos as well.