Heart wrenching Rancheras, Corridos (northern Mexican/Tejano folk music) as performed by the queen herself, solo, just her and her 12 string guitar, live at UC Berkeley 1982. Mendoza goes back to the late 20’s-early 30’s and is recognized for her virtuosity worldwide, receiving hundreds of awards over her lifetime including the National Medal of the Arts (the highest national award given to a performer, presented by slick willie himself in 1999). Another great Arhoolie release.

1) introductions, explanations en espanol followed by a pretty ranchera
2) classic dark ballad
3) “Bad Man”, holy smokes!, the song that launched her career in 1934 and captured the quintessential minor dark Mexican Ranchera forever, with an introduction
4) fantastic waltz-corrido
5) w/ intro, subtle bolero
6) upbeat polka corrido
7) lovely ballad
8) w/ intro, slow corrido
9) dark polka Ranchera, minor flavorings
10) waltz rhythm
11) one of the most famous polka-Ranchera songs in existence, beautiful rendition
12) slow heartfelt, heart wrenching darkness, lo mejor!
13) bolero, more beauty through darkness
14) an audience request, waltz rhythm
15) w/intro (long) bolero rhythm, dark and sad (“Black Flowers”)
16) long intro, salutations, followed by upbeat polka rhythm