Talented troubadours entertaining

There’s nothing like a visit to the American Southwest to drive away the late-winter depression that usually sets in about this time of the year.
For a couple of hours, that’s exactly where Border Concert members found themselves transported—thanks to the music of the Santa Cruz River Band.
Hailing from Tucson, Ariz., this gifted trio of musicians brought the stories and authentic songs of the Southwest and Mexico to the Backus Auditorium stage in International Falls back on Feb. 16.
The Santa Cruz River Band, consisting of Ted Ramirez, Gilbert Brown, and Michael Ronstadt, has deep roots in the Arizona soil, and the program featured an intriguing blend of vocal harmonies, original instrumental numbers, and captivating stories that set the historical and cultural background to the songs.
There was no apparent leader of the group. Each member was given equal time at centre stage to showcase his particular talents as a songwriter and performer.
Many of the group’s songs were original compositions that related their own personal or family experiences.
Brown’s hauntingly beautiful “Paler Shade of Green” told the story of his father’s longing for his home in Oklahoma after moving to the mining country of Arizona during the Great Depression.
“When We Were Kids” described his childhood crush that never quite died.
The Santa Cruz River Band included many authentic Mexican folk songs in their repertoire.
Ronstadt, for instance, was featured in “La Barca de Oro,” a Mexican serenade that was a favourite of his grandmother. “El Pastor” (The Shepherd) was one of the show’s highlights—the three-part falsetto harmony was superb.
It would be hard to find a more skilled group of instrumentalists than this trio. They constantly switched instruments during the show, proving themselves equally adept on guitar, mandolin, banjo, harmonica, steel guitar, and even the penny whistle.
Their versatility shone most brilliantly near the end of the two-hour show when they played an authentic Vera Cruz version of “La Bamba” with blazing speed and dexterity.
The final piece, “Volver, Volver” (a Spanish song meaning “Return, Return”), was particularly appropriate.
Judging from the enthusiastic response of the audience, the Santa Cruz River Band would be more than welcome to return to the north again, especially on a cold winter evening.
It’s good to take a trip to the sunny south—even if it’s only for a few hours.