Iconic bluegrass songster Peter Rowan channels the spirit of the Free Mexican Airforce in his newest album, a genre-blurring tapestry of borderland ballads, outlaw tales, and timeless Americana storytelling.
‘Tales of the Free Mexican Airforce’ – Peter Rowan
Bluegrass Corridor of Famer and multi-genre songwriter/performer Peter Rowan has launched a brand new album, aptly titled Tales of the Free Mexican Airforce.
The songs are little tales – snapshots of lives lived someway, someplace. Tracks like “Mississippi California,” “Sundown Eyes,” and “Oh, Liberty” breathe with life, providing vignettes into the worlds of their characters. You’ll be able to really feel their predicaments, their desperation. Linked by themes of outlawry, they’re American tales set to music.
Regardless of the presence of Los Texmaniacs – a Tex-Mex band – enjoying alongside Rowan, this album defies categorization. As Rowan himself advised me, “I don’t consider this as style music, however extra as Texas rock-and-roll. It’s the tales of the outlaw path, crossing borders of private problem and specific predicaments exterior of the standard.”
The result’s a vibrant assortment of latest tracks blended with a number of older ones.
Returning to proceed their long-time collaboration, Flaco Jiménez performs accordion on “The Free Mexican Airforce” and “Moonlight Midnight,” recalling his efficiency on the unique recordings. “María Elena,” a newly composed instrumental by Jiménez, sparkles with electrical energy. As Rowan writes on the album cowl, “This report is each a celebration and a homage – to the musical tradition that impressed ‘Midnight Moonlight’ and the sort individuals who have given me hope for the longer term.”
Rowan mirrored, “I left Seatrain in 1970. My final present was in San Antonio, Texas. I spent the next days wandering the streets of the previous city, assembly folks, absorbing the music, the meals, the power – the Alamo at dawn, church buildings full of lifelike Madonnas. That’s after I wrote ‘Midnight Moonlight.’ The tune is about discovering hope, even in despair, impressed by these heat nights and vibrant mornings in Previous San Antone.”
Rowan met Jiménez in 1975 at The Blue Gap in Wimberley, Texas. He stated he was residing with “some smugglers” on the time. He had heard from David Grisman that Flaco and his band have been enjoying at Irene Y Fidel’s Cantina on Blanco Street, close to San Antonio. “We went to the present, I launched myself, and he devoted each tune to me. On the finish, after he’d completed his set, Flaco got here out to the car parking zone, and we performed mandola and accordion collectively. The primary tune we performed was ‘By no means on Sunday.’” They grew to become prompt buddies.
In 1978, Jiménez performed accordion on Peter Rowan’s self-titled solo album (Flying Fish Data). They’ve performed collectively on and off since.
Tales of the Free Mexican Airforce opens with “Mississippi California,” which bursts out like a bucking bull charging from the gate. In about three seconds, you understand that is not a bluegrass album. I’ll depart it to the listener to find its that means – however it’s unmistakably Rowan: an ironic story that blends sorrow with pleasure, full of love, humor, and hope.
I’ve been listening to variations of songs like “Oh, Liberty” since round 2021, each at reside reveals and in earlier demo recordings. Tales of the Free Mexican Airforce is the fruits of years of Rowan performing with Los Texmaniacs, whose members embody Max Baca (bajo sexto), Josh Baca (accordion), Chris Rivera (drums), and Noel Hernandez (bass). This album captures the cost and energy of these reside performances.
Once I requested Rowan if he was planning a tour to carry out these songs, he wrote again, “We undoubtedly play a few of them in my Partitions of Time band. I perfected these songs with Los Texmaniacs once we toured throughout and after COVID. However they’re on their very own path now.”
He added, “I feel Flaco’s ‘María Elena’ is one among his most affecting performances – his mature fashion. However Flaco shouldn’t be properly. We have been fortunate to catch the power of this music. His disciple, Josh Baca, has introduced the accordion full circle.”
Rowan continued, “My brother Chris’s tune ‘Bonita Señorita’ was a pleasure to report. I received to affix the solo with Josh on electrical guitar. On this album I used a stupendous handmade mandola, a Mexican classical guitar, and an Eastman archtop.”
Commenting on the songs he recorded for the primary time on this album, he stated, “My newer songs are a return to my roots. Extra bluegrassy.”
Turning 83 on July 4, 2025, Peter Rowan reveals no indicators of slowing down. Simply have a look at his efficiency calendar – you’ll discover a man crisscrossing the nation week after week seeking that previous, bizarre America that also exists… someplace, someway.
Once I requested him what’s subsequent, he replied: “A tune cycle with grassy roots.”
For extra info, please go to: Tales of the Free Mexican Airforce and Peter Rowan.
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Mike Fiorito is an award successful creator and freelance journalist. His e book Mescalito Using His White Horse, Impressed by the Music and Adventures of Peter Rowan obtained the 2024 Unbiased Press Distinguished Favourite Award in Spirituality. For extra info, please go to: Mike Fiorito.
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Tales of the Free Mexican Airforce
an album by Peter Rowan