Rosa de Castilla and Other Love Songs.

• Author: Holston, Mark
• Position: Review

Rosa de Castilla and Other Love Songs (Rounder CD 5158)

The rich vein of provincial love songs from the Mexican hinterland is explored in this insightful collection of performances by vocalists Judith Reyes, Chabela Villasenor, and vocal groups comprising the Solorio and Pulido sisters, compiled from historic recordings made by Henrietta Yurchenco. Villasenor claims the most vintage of the album's nineteen tracks on four songs recorded in 1942, including "El conejo," in which a woman pleads with her lover to show her some respect and dress properly when he comes to call. Yurchenco believes these are the only recordings made by Villasenor, a native of Jalisco, whose primary claim to fame was as a film actress. Judith Reyes, a professional vocalist from Chihuahua in the north of Mexico, is featured on eight of her self-composed works. Also...