|
|
 Best known for his work as the lead singer and principle songwriter of the adventuresome country band the Mavericks, Raul Malo has undertaken even more musical border-crossings as a solo artist. An exceptional vocalist who channels the heart of Eddy Arnold and the warm tenor of Roy Orbison, Malo boundlessly explores various musical cultures. His musical curiosity and somewhat scattered body of work has won him both respect and a hardy band of loyal fans.
Malo formed the Mavericks with Robert Reynolds and Paul Deakin in Miami in the late ’80s; they were equally enamored with traditional honky tonk and artists that enabled early rock to evolve from country, like Patsy Cline and Johnny Cash. Over the course of more than 10 years together, the Mavericks’ sound grew to embrace Tejano, rockabilly and salsa, along the way winning critical acclaim, Grammys, and a pair of nods for Best Vocal Group by the Country Music Association.
By 2000, Malo had begun to stretch out — as part of the Los Super Seven supergroup, doing production work, and touring as a solo artist to workshop his songs. His bilingual debut, 2001’s Today, contained an expansive and eclectic array of jazz and Latin music, as well as a taste of Malo’s Cuban heritage. His classy 2004 Nashville Acoustic Sessions found him partnered with venerable Nashville musicians Rob Ickes, Pat Flynn and Dave Pomeroy. The rest of his solo work is comprised of live, holiday and covers albums. He’s worked with a diverse collection of artists including Los Straitjackets, Rick Trevino, Martina McBride, Neil Diamond and children’s singer Raffi.
Lucky One, Malo’s’ first album of original material since Today, was co-produced by Los Lobos’ Steve Berlin.
Provenance: Miami, Florida
Latest Release: Lucky One (2009)
© 2008 Nigel Music Media LLC. Used by permission.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|