| |
Although best known nationally and internationally
for his unobtrusive yet fortifying guitar licks and the warm, smooth
vocals behind such groups as the Sir Douglas Quintet and the Texas
Tornados (Freddie Fender, Flaco Jimenez, Augie Meyers and Doug Sahm),
Louie Ortega can and does stand on his own as a
singer/songwriter/guitarist.
With a career spanning more than three
decades, Ortega got his start in 1969 as the front man for Columbia and
Atlantic recording artists Louie and the Lovers. When the group
disbanded, Louie joined forces with his friend Doug Sahm for a series of
recording projects and European tours. His songs, such as "Little
Georgie Baker" and "County Line," were mainstays of the group’s releases
on Sweden’s Sonnet Records. During this period, Ortega also quietly
pursued a career as a solo performer and songwriter in his hometown of
San Luis Obispo, California.
From 1989 to 1996, Ortega toured extensively throughout the U.S and
abroad with the Texas Tornados. His performance and translation of "Soy
de San Luis" on the group’s first album helped secure the band a Grammy
in 1990. Their CD Four Aces, released in 1996, features two of
his compositions, "Amor de mi Vida" and "Mi Morenita."
He has performed with the newly revitalized Sir Douglas Quintet (Doug
Sahm, Doug Clifford, Augie Meyers and John Jorgenson) on Elektra
Records. He has also released two solo CDs: You & I and In
My Heart, featuring a collection of well-crafted tunes that
demonstrate Louie Ortega can take front and center stage with the best
of them.
In and around Paso Robles, California he can be seen playing with
John Andrew Parks at various gigs as they work on a new exciting sound
in music...they are calling Corn Bread Buddha
Louie and
the late grate Norm Stephens
at the
Paso Digital Film Festival, where
Louie
first joined the historic list of
Pioneer
Troubadours...
Reviews
"He’s got a hauntingly sweet voice, the perfect vehicle for his smartly
written songs about love and life... I'm giving this CD my highest
recommendation. It hasn't left my CD prayer since I got it. Run, don’t
walk to the nearest record store and pick up your copy. "
Strictly Starkey
New Times
San Luis Obispo, California
-----------------------------------------
The arrangements have more chardonnay
sweetness than salsa bite, but Ortega’s smoky, soulful vocals save the
album from slickness, and his writing reflects superior craftsmanship.
Opening the album is "County Line"‘, a song the Sir Douglas Quintet
borrowed as a highlight of its recent reunion album.
Don McLees
Austin American Statesman
Austin, Texas
|
|
