Search - Bud & Travis :: Bud & Travis Latin Album

A Must Have (Especially for those who LOVE the guitar) !!!

Armando M. Mesa | Chandler, AZ | 08/16/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What can I say folks...This is a true treasure from the past! One listen and you will be mesmerized at how a couple of guys can interpret classic Spanish songs, boleros with such perfection and ease. The catch is that neither one of these guys were ever born in Mexico or are from Spanish descent. Truly goes to show that music knows no color or boundaries...Bud Dashiell and Travis Edmonson came together in the mid to late 50's and continued with their success in the 60's producing rich pop-folk music but sometimes with a strong Latin influenced flair.Think Kingston Trio(minus the trio and more like a duo) with sometimes the subtlety of later groups like Peter, Paul and Mary and then influencing the Smothers Brothers and possibly Simon and Garfunkel. Now, cross this with the Spanish/Latin great muscial artists like Trio Los Panchos,Trio Calavera, a dash of Trini Lopez ! At times, their vocal harmonies compliment each other so well that you often forget it's just two guys singing and will think there are three (trio?).You will definitely feel and hear these guys singing from the gut, lungs, and heart---but most importantly, the soul or spirit! Their guitar playing skills are pure masterful artistry ! Sadly, MOST of their albums are completely out of print (as I have obtained rare vinyl pressings from the 50's and 60's at various used record stores). The Latin Album really put Bud & Travis on the map in the early 60's with this release !



What's intriguing about the original vinyl pressings is that you could buy the album in either the monaural (non-stereo) version or the stereophonic version. The stereophonic version, as with most early stereo pressings, tended to exaggerate the soundfield/soundstage. Often resulted in an "unnatural" playback experience(the singer on the left speaker and the entire band or other artists on the right speaker). The mono version had more bass, clarity and less tape source noise and vinyl record surface noise. The limited cd pressing (currently available as of this writing),while it sounds clear and void of all the record pops and ticks, reveals some annoying tape hiss (don't know if it's in the remastering process or an anomaly of the digital medium). I can tell you that the vinyl monaural pressing sounds awesome and clear out of the 3 pressings !"

A Forgotten Masterpiece

Juan Mobili | Valley Cottage, NY USA | 04/16/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Between 1958 and 1966, Bud & Travis-Bud Dashiell and Travis Edmonson to be exact-gathered up and perform their Folk magic. Exquisite harmonies and deft guitar picking abounded in their own songs as well as those they chose to cover, and became their Folk trademark.



Among those songs that they did not write, their love of all Latin American tunes was palpable and profound, and the source of what would be their last studio album: The Bud & Travis Latin Album.



What distinguishes these two artists, and this particular album, from many of their contemporaries in the early Sixties-a time when many singers were beginning to find market appeal for Latin music-is their faithful respect for the original songs.



If you, like me, grew up in Latin America in those days, you are sure to remember most if not all of these tunes. Many were even old songs by then and, mainly the music your parents or grandparents enjoy, yet they cast a spell on all of us who were younger and already crazy about The Beatles.



Another thing you may remember were records by Trini Lopez and Eddye Gorme with Los Panchos-and later Jose Feliciano and Herb Alpert-all people I learned to appreciate yet at times limiting Latin songs to manicured or watered down renditions of the classics, lacking on the vibrant soul that made them so popular in their countries of origin.



Most of these tunes-specially "La Bamba," "Guantanamera," "Malague?a Salerosa" and "Noche de Ronda"-as much as they are obvious choices represent an unique challenge. Being practically ingrained in the Latin American "collective unconscious," so to speak, they may doom those who may sing them casually or for the sake of a quick buck.



Well, The Bud & Travis Latin Album is a gorgeous example of pure beauty and deep respect. I'm feel very fortunate that the store where I purchased this gem was set up to preview CDs, otherwise I would have deprived myself and my friends from this forgotten masterpiece, prey to my own prejudices.



In addition to the renditions of those songs mentioned before, it is worth directing your attention to a few more jewels in this collection. "Abandonado," "Asi Canta Mi Patria," and "Caminante Del Mayab" are absolutely beautiful, and the rest of the songs that complete this set do not fall behind.



Do yourself a favor and buy this album immediately. You might learn, or at least it may remind you, that North American Folk already had an early eye on the rest of the world and was attending to a trove of great music, alongside the great work of Woodie Guthrie and Pete Seeger and before Joan Baez or Bob Dylan took Folk by a storm."