Tish Hinojosa - "Destiny's Gate"
Bob Marshall, Lockheed Missiles & Space Company
on Tuesday. The first comment I have is : "Tish - lose the drums!". I
don't know if I am just more conscious of drums these days as a result
of their prevalence in *HOT NEW COUNTRY!!!* music these days, but they
seemed to be more prominent than necessary in many of the songs on this
album, including the title song. They are more of an assault on the ears
than they are background rhythm. But, like I say, I am overly sensitive
to drums these days for some reason.
My initial reaction is similar to the reaction I had when I first listened
to Nanci Griffith's "Storms" and "Late Night Grande Hotel". Too pop-
sounding, and too dissimilar to her previous stuff. Another similarity
is that this album uses a synthesizer more than she has in the past,
similar to what Nanci did in the two afore-mentioned albums. And, in
general, there is more emphasis on electric instruments than in the
past, especially the electric 12-string guitar. You get this impression
right off the bat, as the opening song (the title song) starts out with
jangling guitars and pounding drums, not unlike the opening to Mary
Chapin Carpenter's "He Thinks He'll Keep Her". Plus, there is almost
a complete lack of typical country instruments, i.e., fiddle, mandolin,
dobro, steel guitar, banjo, etc.
The songwriting itself is up to Tish's usual standards, however. About 80%
of the lyrics are in English and the other 20% in Spanish. One interesting
thing I noticed is that the CD liner only lists 11 songs, but when I
popped the disk in my player it showed 12 songs. It turns out that the
12th song is a reprise of the title song, except sung in Spanish. For
some reason I can't put my finger on, I like the Spanish version better,
even though I can't understand a word she's saying! Somehow she sounds
more comfortable and natural when she sings in Spanish, and she seems to
sing with a lot more feeling.
I don't know how many of these negative aspects are due to the fact that
this album was recorded for a major label (Warner Brothers), instead of
for the smaller labels (Rounder, Watermelon) that she has recorded for
in the past. She co-produced the album (with Jim Ed Norman), so I guess
she has to accept at least part of the blame (or credit, depending on
your personal point of view).
I guess I have to put this one in the "if-you're-a-big-Tish-fan-then-you'll-
probably-like-this-anyway-but-as-an-introduction-to-Tish's-music-you-can-
do-better" category.
--
=============================================================================
Bob Marshall \\ MY CHILD IS AN HONOR STUDENT
Lockheed Missiles & Space Co. \\ AT NORTHSIDE SCHOOL
Sunnyvale, CA \\ (Oops, I meant to put that
mars...@lmsc.lockheed.com \\ on my bumper...)
"I tell the truth 'cept when I lie" \\
=============================================================================
Jim Larson
But I still love the sound of her voice, so I'm pretty satisfied
with it. Two of my favorite songs are "What More Can I Say in a
Song" & "Looking for My Love in the Pouring Rain". (long titles, eh?)
Have not yet heard her (or Marty Brown - another favorite of mine) on
our bone-headed, Top 40 only, country radio station. Although one
tune (damn, I forgot the name -- #6 or 7 I think) sounds radio-ready.
I know exactly what you mean about the Spanish tunes having more
energy or spirit to 'em. She could sing the Barney "I Love You..."
song in Spanish and I'd have to buy it.
At last, some good-looking pictures of her. If they took her name
off of this CD and the "Culture Swing" CD, I would think it was 2
different people.
Jim Larson jl...@music.lib.matc.edu / SUMMERFEST - June 30-July 10
Analyst/Programmer / on Milwaukee's lakefront. :)
Milwaukee Area Technical College / Huge music festival w/ top stars.
Fax: (414) 297-6632 / $7.00 = all day & nite partying!!
Steve Witten
listened to it at home over the weekend. My wife liked it a lot right
away. My first reaction was a bit more reserved.
However, I took it to work today to listen to on my headphones (I'm
listening to it now). My opinion has changed somewhat... I don't
know if Bob's comparisons to Nanci Griffith's "Storms" or "Late Night
Grande Hotel" are apt because I haven't heard them (no flames, Bob...
I have them on order from cdconnection.com).
I like "Destiny's Gate" a lot. Sure, it's not as good as, say, "Taos
to Tennesee" but it reminds me a lot of Jackson Browne's "Running on Empty"
or "Heart Like a Wheel" by Linda Ronstadt (both of which I really like).
I agree with Bob that "Destiny's Gate" is a pop album. But so what...
I LIKE pop music... (got my environmentally-friendly flame putter-outer
ready, Bob :-)
I can see why TH made a record like this... She just signed with a
major label. They want her to attract a wider audience than her
Philo/Watermelon/A&M releases have. TH would probably like to be a
star... God knows TH's talent deserves to be heard so I hope that
"Destiny's Gate" does it for her. I hope the video they make for CMT
is a good one...
The pictures ARE great... I like the Spanish version of "Destiny's
Gate" better too. I also like "Yesterday's Paper" and "Noche Sin
Estrellas" a lot too.
I give "Destiny's Gate" an A- ...
--
=================================================================
Steve Witten steve_...@sid.hp.com
Bay Area Analytical Operation
Hewlett-Packard Co.
"I'm the urban spaceman, baby! Here comes the twist...
I don't exist!"
-- N. Innes
ji...@vnet.ibm.com
>I picked up "Destiny's Gate" this weekend as well. My wife and I
>listened to it at home over the weekend. My wife liked it a lot right
>away. My first reaction was a bit more reserved.
>
>Gate" better too. I also like "Yesterday's Paper" and "Noche Sin
>Estrellas" a lot too.
>
>I give "Destiny's Gate" an A- ...
better work than this. I'd really like to see her working with a
producer like Jim Rooney (Iris Dement, Nanci Griffith, countless
others) who really understands this music. There's some good material
on Destiny's Gate, but it sure doesn't stand up well to Culture Swing.
Jimmie Wilson, WRUW
Steve Witten
> I like it, but it is definitely overproduced. She's capable of much
> better work than this. I'd really like to see her working with a
> producer like Jim Rooney (Iris Dement, Nanci Griffith, countless
> others) who really understands this music. There's some good material
> on Destiny's Gate, but it sure doesn't stand up well to Culture Swing.
I don't think it's OVER produced...just produced differently (than
"Culture Swing"). Sure, I'd like to hear the results of some sessions
with Jim Rooney but, until that happens, "Destiny's Gate" is what
we've got.
In article <1994Jun1....@skynet.ssd.lmsc.lockheed.com>,
mars...@skynet.ssd.lmsc.lockheed.com (Bob Marshall, Lockheed Missiles & Space Company) writes:
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
|
This info is in your "Organization"... you don't need ------+
to repeat it in your "Full Name"
> No, no, no! I hope it never happens! I'm sick of seeing some of my
> favorite singers give in to the trap of tailoring their musical style
> in order to "attract a wider audience". Call me selfish, but I hope
> that Tish never becomes a star, and I hope that she does not really
> want to become any more of a star than she already is. She certainly
> seems like the genuine article, i.e., she seems to be dedicated to
> her musical style and to her heritage, and hopefully she has what it
> takes to resist the urge to sell out (much as Emmylou Harris has done
> over the years).
All we can do is hope, Bob. I certainly don't begrudge TH for wanting
a little more success than she's had in the past. Maybe we should
write TH a letter and ask her to start hanging out with Emmylou to get
some pointers on how to be a star without letting it go to your head.
In the liner notes to "Destiny's Gate," TH credits Linda Ronstadt "for
setting the standard." I don't know if either of you own copies of
"Heart Like a Wheel" or "Hasten Down the Wind" but, if you do, pull
them out and listen to them. Then listen to "Destiny's Gate" again...
Bruce Rodean
> In the liner notes to "Destiny's Gate," TH credits Linda Ronstadt "for
> setting the standard." I don't know if either of you own copies of
> "Heart Like a Wheel" or "Hasten Down the Wind" but, if you do, pull
> them out and listen to them. Then listen to "Destiny's Gate" again...
You'll find that Bob is a big fan of Linda Ronstadt. Of course we
disagree as to which ballad from "Cry Like A Rainstorm - Howl Like The
Wind" is better. I like "Adios" the best whereas he likes "Goodbye My
Friend," but then there's no accounting for taste. I know I'm right! ;-)
--
Bruce Rodean Hewlett-Packard Company
rod...@fc.hp.com
Steve Lemons
--
======================================================================
Steven Lemons - sle...@netcom.com
======================================================================
Steve Lemons
: I like it, but it is definitely overproduced. She's capable of much
: better work than this. I'd really like to see her working with a
: producer like Jim Rooney (Iris Dement, Nanci Griffith, countless
: others) who really understands this music. There's some good material
: on Destiny's Gate, but it sure doesn't stand up well to Culture Swing.
I have to agree with Jim: definitely over-produced. My grade: C-
If Tish wants to pick up where Linda Ronstadt left off, fine by me.
But for my taste, the more that Tish sounds like Linda Ronstadt, the less
I want to listen to her music. It follows then, that I am disappointed
with this recording. While her newish "radio-friendly" style will attract
many new fans, it pushes away old fans such as myself.
Steve
CwgirlnSnd
>Re: Tish Hinojosa - "Destiny's Gate"-pop sounding review-
Thanks for the warning. I just got her Culture Swing CD and really like
it. Too bad her latest is a commercial effort.
Bob McWilliams
>>Re: Tish Hinojosa - "Destiny's Gate"-pop sounding review-
>Thanks for the warning. I just got her Culture Swing CD and really like
>it. Too bad her latest is a commercial effort.
Culture Swing but I like this one a lot too. Even though it is some what
more produced/commercial, i think it is FAR from a sellout and has
some more wonderful Hinojosa singing. It's gotten good response here and
I think it's a fine recording. If you really like Culture Swing, I think
you would enjoy Destiny's Gate. (Isn't conflicting advice wonderful??()
Do you have a station you can call and request to hear some of the new one?
Bob McWilliams
KANU Lawrence KS
radi...@delphi.com
Jeff Willner
<radi...@delphi.com> wrote:
>
> I'm not sure I would so quickly write off Destiny's Gate. I loved
> Culture Swing but I like this one a lot too. Even though it is some what
> more produced/commercial, i think it is FAR from a sellout and has
> some more wonderful Hinojosa singing. It's gotten good response here and
> I think it's a fine recording. If you really like Culture Swing, I think
> you would enjoy Destiny's Gate. (Isn't conflicting advice wonderful??()
> Do you have a station you can call and request to hear some of the new one?
>
> Bob McWilliams
> KANU Lawrence KS
> radi...@delphi.com
Bob,
I agree that Destiny's Gate is not as bad as some people have made it out
to be, but neither is it as good as her as any of her previous efforts
(imho). I forget who started this thread, but I'd encourage her to get
Tish's earlier efforts (esp. "Aquelle Noche", "Homeland", and "Taos to
Tennessee"; forget the Christmas CD) before getting Gate.
Cheers,
Jeff Willner
--
Jeff Willner I speak only for myself
Department of Psychology jwil...@uncvx1.oit.unc.edu (internet)
Davie Hall, CB# 3270 jwil...@aol.com (america online)
UNC, Chapel Hill (919) 962-0481 (voice)
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3270 (919) 962-2537 (fax)
Harold Stevens
|>
|> I'm not sure I would so quickly write off Destiny's Gate. I loved
|> Culture Swing but I like this one a lot too. Even though it is some what
|> more produced/commercial, i think it is FAR from a sellout and has
|> some more wonderful Hinojosa singing.
FWIW, I've really liked Tish and everything she's done, including *Destiny's
Gate*, which is indeed more "polished" but as you say certainly not soldout.
Like the criticism Nanci Griffith got with some more "produced" albums in
a less folky mode (*Storms* comes to my mind), Tish is not going to be able
to remain "Kerrfolk" forever. I only wish her more success in whatever form,
for she is a remarkable talent and a very caring person in a sometimes fickle
and brutal business.
Regards, Weird
Bob Marshall
>
>>>Re: Tish Hinojosa - "Destiny's Gate"-pop sounding review-
>>Thanks for the warning. I just got her Culture Swing CD and really like
>>it. Too bad her latest is a commercial effort.
>
> I'm not sure I would so quickly write off Destiny's Gate. I loved
> Culture Swing but I like this one a lot too. Even though it is some what
> more produced/commercial, i think it is FAR from a sellout and has
> some more wonderful Hinojosa singing.
I posted the original review to which the previous poster was responding.
While I did indicate in my review that the recording had more of a
commercial tinge than did Tish' previous releases, I didn't mean to
actually scare anyone away. On its own merit, "Destiny's Gate" is a
very fine recording. In comparison to my favorite Tish releases, it isn't
quite as good, however. So, I'd agree with Bob here - don't write it off
so hastily, unless you simply can't stand any degree of commercialism
at all.
--
=============================================================================
Bob Marshall \\ Disclaimer :
Lockheed Missiles & Space Co. \\ I'm just a soul whose intentions
Sunnyvale, CA \\ are good, Oh, Lord, please
mars...@lmsc.lockheed.com \\ don't let me be misunderstood
"I tell the truth 'cept when I lie" \\ -Eric Burdon
=============================================================================
-M.C.CHIN
LarryRup <larr...@aol.com> wrote:
>In article <31d71p$5...@search01.news.aol.com>, cwgir...@aol.com
>(CwgirlnSnd) writes:
>
>Please tell me were to start with a Tish CD
>
_Culture Swing_ by a long shot. Then maybe _Homeland_.
_Culture Swing_ captures her talents best I think, whereas _Destiny's
Gate_, while a good effort, has more of a "commercial" sound, whatever
that is. _Culture Swing_ seems more from the heart IMHO, with
songs about migrant workers, cowboys, Texas, etc. and a "folkier" sound.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Melissa Chin
mc...@hocpc.att.com
I'm a student and a professional, but not a professional student.
Occupation: Bit-twiddler, and proud of it.
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Bob Marshall
> In article <37kpc0$l...@newsbf01.news.aol.com>,
> LarryRup <larr...@aol.com> wrote:
>>In article <31d71p$5...@search01.news.aol.com>, cwgir...@aol.com
>>(CwgirlnSnd) writes:
>>
>>Please tell me were to start with a Tish CD
>>
> _Culture Swing_ by a long shot. Then maybe _Homeland_.
"Culture Swing" is certainly not a bad choice. It contains one of the
strongest songs that Tish has recorded to date, "Something in the Rain".
But my personal favorite album is "Taos To Tennessee". It contains 12
songs from the 1982 - 1987 time period. It was first released on cassette
in 1987, then released on CD in 1992. It contains some overlap with
"Homeland" (three songs are repeated, although the versions on "Homeland"
are re-recorded and re-mixed). Unlike her later albums, it is almost
entirely in English (except for "Amanecer", which is in Spanish). That's
just an observation, by the way, not intended to be a plus or a minus.
But, you really can't go wrong with *any* of her releases. They are *all*
top-notch.
LarryRup
Please tell me were to start with a Tish CD
Thanks,
Larry
CwgirlnSnd
writes:
Di you try Culture Swing-it's the only Tish CD I have but I just fell in
love with it when I got to hear it before I bought it. Too bad it's hard
to find her used CDs at the stores where you get to listen before you buy.
Those are the stores I frequent.
Flo
Frank Strihafka
: In article <31d71p$5...@search01.news.aol.com>, cwgir...@aol.com
My favorites are "Taos to Tennessee" and "Culture Swing". The other replies
have placed them into perspective with her other albums, and I pretty much
agree. After you've heard them you'll surely also want "Homeland" and
"Destiny's Gate", so if you come upon any of them used don't hesitate.
She actually has 6 disks out: "Aquilla Noche" and "Memorabilia Navidena" are
in Spanish. But the best of all is to see her in person. She tours
extensively, including frequent trips to Europe, and her performances (5 that
I've been to) have always been dedicated to pleasing her audience as much
as possible.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Frank Strihafka, Hampton, Va. "Growth for the sake of growth is the
f...@cs.odu.edu (Old Dominion Univ) ideology of a cancer cell." E. Abbey
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