Laura
Canales-Rosary Review
by Ruben Cudillos/Latin Breed
Amigos y Amigas,
Life matters when they come to say good bye. Filling a room of
admirers was seldom a challenge for Laura Canales, LA REINA DE LA
MUSICA TEJANA;she proved that once again at the second of three
Rosary services held for her in Kingsville. The second Rosary
service on Tuesday night can be best summed up as simple, yet
genuine. The stellar list of long time friends and colleagues
came to pay their heartfelt respects included: Rubén Ramos,
Little Joe, Roberto Pulido, Adalberto, Jimmy González, David Lee,
Freddy Martínez, Agustín Ramirez, Carlos Guzman, Chente, Balde Muñoz
(her former drummer), Pío Treviño, Chacha Jiménez, Gary Guajardo,
Armando "Shorty" Hinojosa (her former accordionist), Elida
Reyna, Joe Revélez, Steve Jordán, Mario Móntez, Gilbert Velásquez,
Linda Escobar, along with an army of musicians who had either
performed with her at some point in her career or were deeply
influenced by her talents.
At given internals of the rosary service, songs broke out in
respectful tribute to Laura. Carlos Guzmán initiated the
series of artists with a song written by Freddie Martinez,
"En Las Alas de una Paloma" part of an upcoming album he and
Laura were collaborating on along with the Legends
(Sunny/Freddie/Agustin/Laura/Carlos). Other musical renditions
included Chacha Jimenez on bajo sexto and Herbie Lopez
(Conjunto Bernal) on acordéon who sang ³Como Han Pasado los
Años², then came Roberto Pulido on guitar,
Lionel Pulido on acordéon, and David Viaurri (Los
Clasicos) on bajo who turned toward Laura to sing ³La Barca de
Oro², followed by Ruben Ramos with
Ricky Fuentes on acordéon, Roberto Pulido on guitar (they
delivered ³Un Dia a La Vez² in both Spanish and English. Manuel
Vargas (Ex-Los Clasicos vocalist) along with Greg Paredes (Grupo
Bad) on bajo and Lionel Pulido on acordéon did the
traditional piece, ³Te Vas Angel Mio², next came Freddy
Martinez with a beautiful religions theme from a soon to be
released record
along with other gospel compositions. The surprise of the evening
without a doubt was Adalberto Gallegos (the Latin Breed) who
performed as a true vocalist, a true troubadour. He was the only
artist to perform acappella.
When he sang ³Dios Nunca Muere² his voice resonated in a
silent room filled with over 300 guests as he laid out a lamenting
texture and layered it with the soft dynamics of a song in praise of
the Lord. It was a rendition fit to
move the soul of a queen. The final solo tribute came with an
improvisational take from Agustín Ramírez, backed by
Lionel Pulido on acordéon and Greg Paredes on bajo as
they performed "El Guti's" benchmark favorite ³Tres
Ramitas². The grand finale showcased the creative collaboration
of two true Tejano greats, a unique composition for Laura was penned
earlier in the day by Freddie Martinez and Joe Revélez
appropriately
titled ³Se Nos Va². Javier Villanueva (Tejano Roots Hall
of Fame) handed out Xeroxed lyric sheets to the overflow crowd
of Tejano music Who's Who in attendance. They were invited to sing
along the chorus lines. A freshly
minted song, it was simple, genuine and filled with abundant respect
for one of our own. Freddy Martinez lead the choir ofartists/musicians
through the simple melody, while Joe Revelez played the piano
and then all together joined in harmony to the words of, ³Se nos va
la REINA, se nos va².
As the orderly crowd filed past Laura to deliver their final
farewells a powerful and moving song was piped into the room.
Everyone could hear
Laura's distinctive voice singing lead followed by the rotating
voices of the Legends. Simultaneously, a video screen set high above
Laura's casket slowly recapped image after image of special moments
in her career and life.
The recording and the loop of still images that virtually hugged the
screen left few dry eyes in house. The photographs captured our
attention just long enough to pause briefly in remembrance. We
reflected on how Laura truly touched each and every one of our
lives.
Laura Lives...!
(en nuestros corazones)
Rubén Cudillos
