Best of: TEXAS TORNADOS

Description

Less a band than the musical equivalent of a Tex-Mex combo platter, the Texas Tornados spotlight the complementary tastes of their four veteran members. This compilation extends from roadhouse rockers by the Sir Douglas Quintet's Doug Sahm ("Who Were You Thinkin' Of," "Adios Mexico") to novelty numbers from his quintet keyboardist Augie Meyers ("Que Paso," "Guacamole") to country and traditional Mexican balladry from Freddy Fender ("Wasted Days and Wasted Nights," "Mentiras"). The accordion virtuosity of Flaco Jimenez adds spice throughout. Since 11 cuts can barely sample the wide range of the group's individual talents, the collection serves as a better introduction than retrospective summation. --Don McLeese