TEXAS TORNADOS
4 ACES

artist: TEXAS TORNADOS
label: REPRISE 9 46197-2
UPC / EAN: 0 9362 46197 2 7
title: 4 ACES
release: July 9, 1996, USA, CD [12/42:47]
tracks:
  1. Little Bit Is Better Than Nada (3:33)
    (Doug Sahm)
  2. Amor De Mi Vida (3:12)
    (Louie Ortega & Max Baca)
  3. In My Mind (2:59)
    (Freddy Fender)
  4. 4 Aces (5:36)
    (Doug Sahm)
  5. My Cruel Pain (3:29)
    (Ramon Ayala & Cornelio Reyna)
  6. Tell Me (3:33)
    (Joe "King" Carrasco)
  7. Ta Bueno Compadre (It's OK Friend) (2:54)
    (Doug Sahm)
  8. The Gardens (3:16)
    (Chris Gaffney)
  9. Rosalita (4:22)
    (Chris Wallisch)
  10. Clinging To You (2:58)
    (Doug Sahm)
  11. Mi Morenita (2:58)
    (Louie Ortega, Max Baca, Flaco Jimenez)
  12. The One I Love The Most (3:53)
    (Bob Morrison, Michael Huffman & Gene Dobbins)
album notes:

Doug Sahm (vocals, 6- and 12-string guitars, maracas); Augie Meyers (vocals, accordion, piano, Vox organ); Flaco Jimenez (vocals, accordion); Freddy Fender (vocals). Additional personnel: Derek O'Brien (electric guitar); Louie Ortega (guitar, background vocals); Joe "King" Carrasco, John X. Reed (guitar); Ry Cooder (slide guitar); Vern Monnett (steel guitar); Jim Dickinson (piano); Allan Rich (keyboards, synthesizer); Max Baca (bajo sexto); Jack Barber, Chris Jurado, M. "Speedy" Sparks (bass); Ernie Durawa, Clay Meyers, George Rains, Barry "Frosty" Smith (drums); Rosie Flores (background vocals). The West Side Horn Section: Rocky Morales, Cullen Offer (tenor saxophone); Louis Bustos (baritone saxophone); Al Gomez (trumpet).

Recorded at Arlyn Recording Studio, Austin, Texas.
Includes liner notes by Doug Sahm.
"Little Bit Is Better Than Nada" was nominated for a 1997 Grammy Award for Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal.

Audio Mixer: Don Smith
Liner Note Author: Doug Sahm.
Recording information: Arlyn Recording Studio, Austin, TX.
Photographer: Dennis Keeley.
Unknown Contributor Role: Allan Rich.
Arrangers: Doug Sahm; Flaco Jiménez; Freddy Fender; Louie Ortega; Joe "King" Carrasco; Los Relámpagos del Norte; Max Baca; Augie Meyers.

Working within the confines of a style as singular as Tex-Mex, one of the greatest difficulties is finding a way to keep the music sounding fresh. Year after year, the Texas Tornados manage to do just that, serving up spicy slabs of south-of-the-border soul. Their music brings together rock and roll, R&B, country and traditional Mexican folk music (represented in the norteno accordion of Flaco Jimenez and the stirring, romantic voice of Freddy Fender). On 4 ACES, the mutant charm of this musical hybrid is exemplified by the mysterious, Del Shannon-esque title cut, the country-flavored torch ballad "In My Mind" and the 6/8 New Orleans stroll of "Tell Me." On those and other tunes, the Tornados prove themselves adept at working endlessly appealing variations on the style that is their foundation.

Editorial reviews
Border radio tuned in by four geezers who actually remember border radio....produced by a man with a Midas touch who channels 'em into sonic gold....that such a band can make such breathtakingly gorgeous, emotional music for a major label in 1996 is astounding. Option (11/01/1997)

3 Stars (out of 5) - ...This time the Tornados have tilted their Tex-Mex balance more in the Mex direction, with gorgeous Spanish-language love songs sung by [Freddy] Fender...
Rolling Stone (08/08/1996)

3 Stars (out of 5) - ...This time the Tornados have tilted their Tex-Mex balance more in the Mex direction, with gorgeous Spanish-language love songs sung by [Freddy] Fender...Option (11-12/97, pp.133-134) - Border radio tuned in by four geezers who actually remember border radio....produced by a man with a Midas touch who channels 'em into sonic gold....that such a band can make such breathtakingly gorgeous, emotional music for a major label in 1996 is astounding.
Rolling Stone (08/08/1996)

  In memory of Richard "Eh Eh" Elizondo, Jim "Dutch" Groenewegen, Isaiah "Ike" Ritter, Jerry garcia, Denny Cordell and Felix "Compadre" Villareal.
 


   
   
   

 

USA advance pressing:
CD1112 backcover CD1112 CD
remarks: REPRISE 2-46197-A
advance copy without frontcover

 

USA promo pressing/release:
CD1111 frontcover CD1111 backcover
CD1111
remarks: promostamp on frontcover

 

CANADA release:
CD675 frontcover CD675 backcover
CD675
remarks: REPRISE CDW 46197
slightly different backcover & CD

 

GERMANY promo pressing/release:
CD1396 frontcover CD1396 backcover
CD1396
remarks: REPRISE 9362-46197-2
sticker on front of jewelcase with date: 12 August 1996
promosticker on back of jewelcase
the regular copy was released without the stickers