Whether your Cinco de Mayo plans involve joining the crowds at a local festival or simply enjoying a Corona at home, you’ll need a suitable soundtrack. Might I suggest something from the catalog of norteño accordion legend, Ramón Ayala?
Known as “El Rey del Acordeon”, Ayala is a superstar on both sides of the border and through his distinctive accordion playing and songwriting, has set the standard for norteño music. In his forty year career, he has led two of norteño’s most successful conjuntos: first, Los Relampagos Del Norte (“Lightning Bolts of the North”) with singer Cornelio Reyna, and his current group, Los Bravos del Norte.
Here’s a classic track off his greatest hits collection, Antologia de un Rey:
Ramon Ayala: Mi Piquito de Oro (MP3 download)
32 Comments:
No disrespect to Mr. Ayala, but I think accordion fans might appreciate Tejano music over Norteño. The introduction of the accordion to Mexico came from the Tejanos, who had been introduced to the instrument by the German immigrants in Texas in the late 1800’s.
The accordion wasn’t always well-accepted in Mexico, and was viewed as a product of the ‘Gringo’ (no offense) of the United States.
Modern day Norte̱os (Mexicans) are shying away from polkas РMr. Ayala being one of the few acceptions.
Tejanos such as myself (I’m 66) are doing everything we can to keep the polka influence in our music alive.
by Pepe Maldonado on May 25th, 2007
Interesting… thanks for sharing your perspective, Pepe! I’m still figuring out the distinctions between Norteño and Tejano music myself, but I appreciate anyone who’s playing accordion music with passion.
by Chris on May 27th, 2007
Tejano music, written mostly by Mexican-Americans born in Texas, is greatly influenced by American Country music. There is a noticeable ‘twang’ in the singing voice – noticeable to Spanish speakers, that is.
The music also has flashy pauses and bridges, most noticeable in Tejano music of the 80’s, that are inspired by country music.
The parallels extend to the Spanish speaking audience. Just as there are fans of country music who do not apreciate the influence pop music has had on country, so there are spanish speaking fans who do not appreciate the influence country has had on Tejano. The Tejano ‘old school,’ who’s tastes do not go beyond ‘conjunto’ music (with it’s Mexican bajo-sexto 12-string guitar) and the ‘Tejano’ crowd which feature electric guitars and synthesizers.
(Some of the really ‘old guard’ don’t like the phrase Tejano when applied to conjunto – me? I don’t mind. We are from Texas after all.)
by Pepe Maldonado on May 29th, 2007
That’s one of the better explanations I’ve read. Thanks Pepe!
by Chris on May 29th, 2007
I’m new to the tejano/conjunto scene (have listened to norteno all my life and was surprised to discover it originated in Texas :), but in my limited experience I think conjunto and norteno are more closely related than they are to tejano. And by tejano I mean the type of music played David Lee Garza’s band, which are typically ballads and mariachi songs played norteno style, but with sinthesizers and sometimes trumpets on a slow 2/4 tempo. I don’t know about the country influences, so I don’t know if we are talking about the same thing.
However, the differences I see between Norteno and Conjunto is that Conjunto is more traditional, where the accordion definitely plays a more prominent role than Norteno, and accordion riffs are much more elaborate than in norteno. Also, Conjunto music is typically played at a slower tempo, possibly to allow for the cowboy dance style practiced in Texas, as opposed to the faster “corrida” dance style practiced in northern Mexico.
Well, that’s just my 2 cents. Feel free to correct.
by M Hernandez on June 11th, 2007
That sounds right to me but, then again, I’m relatively new to these scenes myself. Thanks M!
by Chris on June 11th, 2007
My uncle is Gilberto Perez and I can tell you I have been listening to accordion music since I was a little girl. My daddy played the accordion and of course Gilberto has his own conjunto. But, I absolutely love Ramon Ayala and his music. There are so many conjuntos, bands, etc. that I like alot.
by Lydia (Perez) Brinkley on June 26th, 2007
Very cool, Lydia! I’ve only heard a little of Gilberto’s music, but I’m going to make an effort to track it down. Thanks!
by Chris on June 27th, 2007
have you ever listened to others? I can name several that I listen to. But mostly accordion music. Mariachi, I don’t really like.
by lydia on June 27th, 2007
I’ve listened to some of the big names — like Flaco and Santiago Jimenez, Mingo Saldivar, Valerio Longoria, etc. If you have any suggestions, I’m all ears! I’m always interested in hearing good accordion music!
by Chris on June 27th, 2007
I love Carlos y Jose, Los Relampagos del Norte, Ruben Vela, Tony de la Rosa, and of course Ramon Ayala. All these people are older, but I love their music. I don’t even know who Mingo Saldivar is. I think I have listened to Valerio Longoria, but I’m not sure. My dad introduced us to Ruben’s, Tony’s, and Los Relampagos’ music. I found Carlos y Jose somehow. Living in MS doesn’t give us the opportunity to listen to new music.
by Lydia on June 28th, 2007
No disrespect to Mr. Pepe Maldonado but IMHO and from what I have read the accordion was first brought into Mexico by the Germans. For example in the Monterrey NL area then many Mexicans migrated north into Southern Texas with their own style and Mexican Americans in southern Texas refined the Polka and Norteno music making it Conjunto. To me as someone else posted Tejano music to me is David Lee Garza and Little Joe, No disrespect but I just cant sit and listen to it, it just doesnt sink in to my heart as Norteno and Conjunto does. Tejano Music is a spin-off from Conjunto IMO.
As far as Norteno music not keeping the Polka alive is false may accordion instructors I know and have met is the first thing they teach. Now if they dont put it on their CD/LP its another thing that is controled by the Executive Producers behind the band. Ive been at dances were norteno musicians play many polkas, redovas, shotiz’s and the younger generation dislike it, it is a slow dying genre but not just in the Norteno industry, Some of the younger conjunto bands will not play polkas unless asked and they will only play El atontonilco or El sube y baja and thats all you will get out of them. Thats just my two cents……..sorry if I offended anyone that was not my intention just posting my opinion/views.
by Gabriel on June 29th, 2007
By the way one of the greatest Narciso Martinez was a great polka player although history states that he was born in Reynosa, Tamps. He was actually from a little town called El Esterito, Nuevo Leon close to Cerralvo and Los Ramones Nuevoleon. Some of his nephews say that Narciso’s parents migrated to Reynosa when he was 3 years old and later moved into Southern Texas were Narciso ended up being a legend in the valley, He supposedly invented conjunto by adding the Bajo sexto. He’s pretty good to listen to if you can find his music. I had many of his tapes a kinfolk of his gave me and sold me some of his tapes, but my truck got stolen and his tapes were in my truck…..
Some that are worth listening to are
Donenos
Alegres de Teran
Narciso Martinez
Valerio Longoria
Migo Saldivar
by Gabriel on June 29th, 2007
You can visit you tube and search the names of the musicians and most likely they have a viedo of them. You can see/hear the great pioneer of conjunto music….
Narciso Martinez El Huracan del Valle
here are some of his videos…
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ayzLiQqkDQY
by Gabriel on June 29th, 2007
Thanks Gabriel! I had heard of Narciso Martinez, but I haven’t heard a lot of his music. I’ll definitely seek it out.
by Chris on June 30th, 2007
My idea of nortenio and cunjunto music is related because of the region it originated. Its pretty much the same style of instruments and meaning. The musicians listed above are all awsome, I listen to them myself and own alot of there Cd’s and tapes.Im 28 years old i grew listening to all of the legends and all them had one thing in common,was involving the accordeon sound.I agree that Sir,Ramon Ayala is one of the best accordeon players.Another i see that everyone didn’t mention was the late Ruben Naranjo.The style of music Naranjo played was cunjunto Tex-Mex,also related to nortenio lyrics that Ramon Ayala played also.So Ive come to the conclusion conjunto and nortenio music are very similar and tejano music is a litlle different. But all them express the feelings of most people from that region of the world. thxs
by Juan Davila on December 2nd, 2007
Gabriel me imagino que tu eres de Mexico, yo soy de Nuevo Leon… estoy de acuerdo contigo el acordeon fue traido por las fuerzas de la intervencion francesa se tienen datos de presentaciones en la plaza Zaragoza en Monterrey alla por febrero de 1865 donde se tocaron polcas, shotis, redovas,etc no vino de Texas.. Lo que pasa es que aca en Mexico no habia tantas oportunidades de grabar.. ejemplo Chicho Martinez como mencionas el que es considerado el padre de la musica Tex Mex el era Mexicano, asi como otros tantos, Pedro Ayala (de Teran), Mario Montes (de Teran).. la polca de aqui a estas alturas es diferente.. en Texas se toca mas pausado un compas mas lento…. lo importante es que es un instrumento que tiene raices profundas en nuestra cultura y que nos alegra la vida.
by Adrian Torres on January 21st, 2008
Aqui les dejo un link de uno de los pioneros de la musica regional Don Antonio Tanguma que alla por 1908 comenzo a tocar haciendo sus primeros pasitos chequen la entrevista de 1975 donde menciona una polca que se llama la revolcada (de alrededor de 1915) y la toca con una acordeon de una sola hilera, ademas menciona que por Montemorelos, Allende, Teran ya habia otros acordeonistas mas viejos que tocaban polcas, shotis, huapangos, etc
by Adrian Torres on January 21st, 2008
Aqui les dejo un link de uno de los pioneros de la musica de acordeon en Mexico Don Antonio Tanguma quien en 1908 comenzo sus primeros pasitos en el instrumento.. chequen la entrevista de 1975 donde menciona una polca llamada “La revolcada” (1915) y la toca con un acordeon de una hilera ademas menciona que alla por Montemorelos, Allende, Teran ya existien otros acordeonistas mas viejos..
http://vivatanguma.blogspot.com/
by Adrian Torres on January 21st, 2008
Do you have the guitar chords for “Piquito De Oro?
by E. I. Sanchez on April 10th, 2008
Your blog is interesting!
Keep up the good work!
by Alex on August 16th, 2008
I ALSO HAD IT ALL WRONG ON WHO PLAYED WHAT FIRST , ALL OF THIS CONJUNTO TEX MEX HAS ROOTS IN A LOT OF MEXICAN SONGS , IF NOT ALL , EXCEPT FOR MAYBE THE BEER BARREL POLKA AND YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE ,AND OF COURSE FOLSOM PRISON ? ATOTONILCO IS A CITY IN MEXICO , LETS JUST ALL GET IT TOGETHER PEOPLE FOR IN THE EYES OF THE REST OF THE FREE WORLD WE ARE ALL MEXICAN .
by JOSE SIFUENTES on August 28th, 2008
Well as a Big Tejano Fan myself i dont live in Texas but as far as Conjunto and Norteno Tejano was Influenced but conjunto No disrespect to Norteno or conjunto but to me Tejano is GREAT you go to a tejano concert you got guys dancin there legs off you they put on a great show not just the music alone but the performance they out on…ive been to No Disrespect some Roman Ayala concerts and the music is great but hes just standin there.. you know unlike tejano for example Eddie Gonzalez, Grupo Vida, there great tejano bands and there up there workin up a sweat dancin along with the crowd…
by N.Jose on November 25th, 2008
I was wondering if anyone knows where I can find accordion chords for songs for Ruben Naranjo and Ramon Ayala. I’m trying to learn to play the accordion and I would love to learn a couple of my favorite songs from them! Thanks for any information you have available
by Deyanira on April 1st, 2009
HEY DEYANIRA I LAST SAW SOME INSTRUCTIONAL DVDS RUBEN NARANJO STYLE ON THE PURO CONJUNTO WEBSITE .COM I THINK RUBEN PLAYED A GABBANELLI ACCORDIAN IN THE KEY OF MI – BUT I SEEN HIS SON JAM SOME PRETTY GOOD SONGS ON A HOHNER ,OR JUST TRY YOU TUBE AND DOWN SOME RUBEN NARANJO GOOD LUCK AND DONT GIVE UP
by JOE EL DONNENO on April 22nd, 2009
IAM A BAJO SEXTO PLAYER I HAVE RECORDED WHIT MR JIMMY JUAJARDO AVERY EXELENT ACCORDION PLAYER FROM BEACHUP OR MAY BE MISS SPELL WE RECORDED ASE UN ANO AND WE STILL PLAYING WE ARE OLD BUT LOVE THAT ACCORDION MUSIC SO I WOULTH LIKE TO HEAR SOME MORE ABOUT JIMMYS RECORDING.
by ramon luna on July 14th, 2009
i think nortena is because the music is more entresting and tejano copys alot of musisions like micheal salgado copys los relampagos alot i been too a few tejano festables and the groups sing alot of ramon ayala songs tejano music isnt entresting too me nortena is better i know accordion music started in tejas but mexico made it much better i live in texas and i never here the music because people dont like it i play the accordion and i dont have any tajano idols not many young accordians play any tejano music they just wanna play NORTENAS cause their isnt any great songs emelio navaida and
david lee garza are known but because they been playing music for the logest and ramon ayala and lupe tijerina are known because they are commited too making thier fans happy and tejano music fans dont really understand nortenas they speak too much english they act white idk why but thats stupid nortenas is a trillion times better i dont care if i offended any body cause i know im right
by andres barrera on March 21st, 2010
Ramon Ayala is definently not “El Rey del Acordeon”. Juan Villareal de Los Cachorros is.
by Eric E. Martinez on June 4th, 2010
Na Steve Jordan is the accordion king
by ricardo on October 20th, 2010
Ramon Ayala is a tejano born and raised from Donna Texas.
by John on March 22nd, 2012
I thought Andres Landero was El Rey del Acordeon?
by Ivan on March 29th, 2012
I was reading some of these post and got me thinking about this rivalry between conjunto tejano and norteño music. Let me as a few questions to pro-conjunto and to pro-norteño fans.
Who sells more records/cd’s/downloads?
Who makes more money?
Which “style” has more radio stations?
Why is Tejano sang in Spanish and not English ?
I listen to Los Texmaniacs, Ramon Ayala y sus bravos del Norte to jimi Hendrix to Bill Monroe to Andrea bocelli. Just to give you all a feel of where I’m coming from.
My thought are…..who cares who started this music. All we should care about is that two people desired to jam together and started to make some money which spread the love for this music.
I hear people saying “Tejano ain’t dead”. People that say that are people that are trying to keep something alive. Just my thought.
I do agree on a previous posting. Some music just gets to the heart. I don’t think it matters what style it is as long as it can do that to a person.
Just remember to some people tejano and norteño music sounds like circus music while to others it sounds like our soul.
People need to get over this fued. Enjoy the music and support your favorite artist(s).
by Lx95020 on September 25th, 2012