Introduction:
Mariachi is one of the most famous and popular
music styles of Mexico City, which is recognized
to be there since renaissance during the whole nineteenth
century. Though initially during the fifties Mariachi
was not that famous and popular among the Mexican
Americans though later in the renaissance, it started
getting fame which was very well defined all through
the southern western USA as well as to the Urban
centers. Therefore, Mariachi is considered as a
symbol for the pride from fall of the Mexican music
as it is also associated to the stories and traditions
celebrated in various family gatherings, religious
ceremonies and so on in its initial period. So in
other words the Mexican American was influenced
to this music style with the desire to get into
touch with their roots via music. However, the word
Mariachi is taken from a French word, which is dated
to the French occupation of Mexico. They basically
performed this kind of music in their marriage ceremonies.
Vicente Fernandez: Musical Development:
Vicente Fernandez is a native of Mexico as he was born as well as raised in Huentitlán del Alto, Jalisco in 1940, which is in Mexico. Initially he worked like an ordinary boy when at childhood. Like he worked as a shoe shiner, dishwasher, waiter and then cashier but with the passage of time, he got persuaded to make his dream as the only basis to earn his living then he started singing tips at the Amanecer Tapatio. At the same time he got a chance to perform as an actor on a Mexican T.V show La Calandria Musical. Later on he started singing for some of the country’s best Mariachi groups on radio.
Furthermore, It was his good luck that he was
born in a family who was traditionally related
to the Mexican music. However, it was not difficult
for him to enter the musical field and adopt it
as a profession as he got inborn skills in this
regard as his father Vicente Fernández
aka El Charro de Huentitan and brother Alejandro
Fernández was in profession since long.
So Vicente Fernandez from his youth started participating
in singing with his father and mentor at a very
young age. Later on he decided to adopt this profession
as a career therefore, he graduated with an accounting
degree from some local insitute prior to get into
the musical profession. Nonetheless he started
his actual musical career when he won a Guadalajara
singing contest. Nevertheless, with the passage
of time he and his ranchera got fame and recognition
and became one of the most popular singers of
Spain and Latin America as well as in Latino communities
through out the USA. He earned tremendous fame
from his tribute to Mexico’s beloved Trio
Los Panchos, Recordando A Los Panchos.
However, at the early stage of his career development when his father died where he was to perform on stage that moment his song was filled with emotions and eyes filled with tears moved the audience towards his majestic voice and musical skills. It was really a decisive and influential moment for Vicente as at the one end the audience started comparing him with famous and senior singers like Pedro Infante and Jorge Negrete and honoring him with the title of Master of Ceremonies, while on the other hand he was informed about his fathers death. So it was a memorable time where he at the same time achieved remarkable fame and lost his father who was not only his father but also his teacher and source of inspiration to adopt this musical career.
Another discovery was about the life style of Vicente that the audience started discovering at that time. At this time he started his career as a regular singer where he use to travel regularly to America for recording his songs and also sang in the popular Million Dollar Theatre. Moreover with the passage of time, this great Mexican singer gained more fame and recognition. However for Vicente, the prime achievement was the day he performed at La Plaza de Mexico where he had requested the authorities not to charge for the public tickets for his concert where he maintained the record of attracting the largest audience at any concert.
Sample work:
He earned a lot of fame and respect specifically
in malaichi music. Nonetheless his works recorded
in spanish language was also a source of fame
and recognition to him. Though in 1995 he gained
considerable fame as a result of his songs tributing
to Mexico’s beloved Trio Los, Panchos, Recordando
A Los Panchos but at the same time it encouraged
and motivated him to produce another two major
hits. These were Miseria, No, No, Y No.
Though he has reached the age of 61 but still is a very active singer and keeps on performing on stage since he joined this profession and stands among the worlds highest recording artists. Therefore, a few of his famous albms include 15 Exitos Con El Numero Uno, Dos Gigantes De La Cancion Ranchera, El Charro Mexicano, El Cuatrero, Exitos Y Mas Exitos, Gusta Usted? Joyas Rancheras, LA Historia De Un Idolo Vol.1, Las Clasicas De Jose Alfredo Jimenez, Lastima Que Seas Ajena, Le Canta A America Latina, Lo Mejor De La Baraja Con El Rey, Los 15 Grandes Exitos, Mexicanisimo: 16 Exitos, Mexicanisimo: 24 Exitos, Palabra De Rey, Por Tu Maldito Amor, Que De Raro Tiene, Sony Pistas, Vo. 1(KARAOKE), Tesoros Musicales de Mexico, Vicente Fernandez Y Sus Canciones, Vol. 5-Sony Pistas (KARAOKE). Furthermore, few of the most popular sample songs are: Camino de Guanajuato, Que Suerte la Mia, Mundo Raro, Arrullo de Dios, Esta Noche, Vamonos, Alma de Acero, Tu Recuerdo y Yo, Viejos Amigos, Hay un Momento, . Cuando los Años Pasen and Yo. Therefore, out of a large number of ranchera singers and hundreds of mariachi songs only few singers have achieved an influential equilibrium of an overwhelming talent and powerful musical material performed till present in the Mexican mariachi where Vicente was gifted a voice of dynamic quality and thus rewarded the title of “King of Ranchera.
Musical Life style:
As far as his life style is concerned people
him with the typical Mexican rural muscial sytle
which is poles apart from the typical maraichi
style. Where at the one hand the famous and popular
singers are use to wear specific dresses while
performance, which aer glittery or presenting
mexican cowboy style. Nonetheless he is found
to be distinct from these traditional indecent
getup. He is though persuasive but very decent
and sophisticated singer and possess immence control
over his emotions. All what he does, perform in
a decent and high class sophisticated clothing
but gather all his emotions and feelings to express
in his singing skills via his voice. This makes
him distinct from all other singers of the time.
He gained tremendous fame and recognition as well
as gave a lot of business to the musical companies
as well as the recording companies and also to
the theatre or where ever his songs are made to
be performed ot sold in shape of audios or video
cassttes. No other mexican music or singer could
one this much achievemt that has sold millions
of records. It simply his dep envolvement in singing
while he performs the audience cant move their
eyes, their attention away for a single second
for the beautiful blend of rythem, melody of the
Mexican maraichi. Therefore, the strong influence
of his voice, the magic of his singing makes the
audience still untill he finishes , also the audicne
feels to be completely sweept.
Instruments Used:
Basically the Mexican musical instruments that develop sensation in its sounds as well as appreciated by the listeners are a composition of four or more violins, at least two guitars and a deep –voiced guitarron and a vihula as well as trumpets. Basically this music touches the heat and speaks to the emotions of every listener. Where the origin of the mariachi musical group was in the Jalisco region as well as the surrounding countries of western Mexico. However, traditionally a large base guitar as well as a folk harp consisting of 38-40 strings and violins, flat backed and five-string guitar was used as the musical instruments. Initially there was not much innovation in the musical instruments but later on with the development of musical techniques and changing styles trumpets were made a part to the mariachi orchestras. Where this period is knows as a period of strong patriotism among the Mexicans, which gave a chance to all the folk singers to make their place in the world of music.
However, if we take a look of the musical instruments used today then it comes to our understanding that presently the various groups of mariachi music and singers have divided the instruments into two groups that are best used by these singers. These groups are the melody group and the harmony. Both by their names express a soothing effect to the audiences. Only it’s the difference of choice of the music composer and producers as well as the taste of the singer to use what instruments they want. So violins and trumpets are included in the first group while vihuela, guitar. Guitarron and at times the harp are included to the other group.
Nonetheless the musical themes mostly used include
life events as well as unanswered love where dances
are performed at the same time he sings. Though
the mariachi music is fast, vigorous possessing
strong rhythms but the melodies sung by Vicente
are of no comparison to any other singer of mariachi
music. So his festivals are popular mostly in
the western and southern USA as well as Mexico
for not only his singing skills but also the composition
of instruments that he uses in his songs.
Musical Production The songs and albums of Vicente Fernandez were not only famous and popular but earned him a lot of respect and recognition in the world of music specifically due to the Mexican mariachi, as he is believed to be the only living ranchera singer of the time whose songs and albums are easily accepted from any production company. This is due to the reason that the production companies have a very strong trust on the songs and music of Fernandez, as he possesses a magnificent voice and all his songs are beautifully arranged as well as based on different and interesting themes depicted from the traditional Mexican folk culture and other interesting areas.
However, a few famous musical production companies who usually produce all the albums and songs of Vicente include, Sony Disco Inc. as they have produced a number of albums of Vicente. Another production company for his songs and albums is Sony USA, Ford & Lincoln Mercury; HOSAM organization has also played its role to help producing the music for Vicente, as this organization is a platform to produce mariachi music. Another organization related to musical production that supports Vicente music is The Victoria and Joaquin Rodrigo Foundation. However, these organizations have not directly produced the albums but proved to be a path for the production of his music and his songs. Well the basic thing is the confidence and business earned from the songs and albums of Vicente that motivates the various production companies to produce his music. |