Calexico tickles the soul

Seriously. The Power of Porter Wagoner compelled me to go down swingin' today and pop into Tower Records to snap up the 4 Calexico CD's they had in stock: Convict Pool, Even My Sure Things Fall Through, Black Light, and Feast of Wire. This was a split-second decision, made at 30 mph with seconds to go before the required turn with no oncoming traffic.

It was meant to be.

Like Clapton's Crossroads, the Box of Bongwater, and Q, the Quincy Jones box set, the Calexico catalogue is a worthy investment. And hey, while my Calexico collection isn't quite complete, at least there's the new Los Super 7 album, Heard It on the X, keeping me in that heightened state of holy shit! did you hear that? This is pure, pinche goodness, my friend. Everyone on it - including Burns, Convertino & Co., Freddy Fender, Raul Malo, Lyle Lovett, Joe Ely, Delbert McClinton, Rodney Crowell, Clarence 'Gatemouth' Brown - just smokes, and Charlie Sexton has the magic touch, production-wise. Holy Keerist.

Now, when you get around to hearing this, make sure that when you get to Rick Trevino singing "Ojitos Traidores," turn up the volume, shake your ass like there's no tomorrow, and trip on that trumpet solo by Jacob Valenzuela.

Are you with me, baby?