Elvis Costello on new Los Lobos album
Billboard, 2004-03-01
- Barry A. Jeckell

Stars Share Los Lobos' New 'Ride'

Elvis Costello, Tom Waits and Ruben Blades are among the guests appearing on "The Ride," the forthcoming new studio album from Los Lobos. Due May 4 from Hollywood Records/Mammoth Records, the 13-track collection is band's first self-produced title in a career that stretches more than two decades.

"We're all very proud of this album," guitarist Louie Pérez says. "It reflects our evolution as musicians who have been playing together for a long time and who have worked to absorb a lot of different musical styles and artistic ideas during a long and enjoyable musical journey.

"And," he adds, "it was fun to make music with some good friends."

Costello adds vocals to a new version of "Matter of Time," which originally appeared on Los Lobos' 1984 breakthrough, "How Will the Wolf Survive?" (Slash). R&B great Bobby Womack helps the band remake his "Across 100th Street," while Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter co-wrote the new song "Hurry Tomorrow" with the band.

Others who add their talents to "The Ride" are Richard Thompson, Mavis Staples, Dave Alvin (the Blasters), Mitchell Froom, the Band's Garth Hudson, Café Tacuba, Quetzal's Martha Gonzales and Willie G.

Los Lobos has a handful of spring tour dates on tap, including a March 20 appearance at Austin, Texas' South by Southwest music festival. Also featuring Patty Griffin, the Mavericks, Old 97's and Ozomatli, that Esquire magazine-sponsored show will be broadcast live on XM Satellite Radio.

As previously reported, the band is also slated to play this year's Bonnaroo Festival, slated for June 11-13 in Manchester, Tenn.

Here is "The Ride" track list:

"La Venganza De Los Pelados" featuring Café Tacuba and Garth Hudson
"Rita" featuring Mitchell Froom
"Is This All There Is?" featuring Willie G.
"Charmed"
"Somewhere In Time" featuring Dave Alvin
"Wicked Rain / Across 110th Street" featuring Bobby Womack
"Kitate" featuring Tom Waits and Martha Gonzalez
"Hurry Tomorrow" (lyrics by Robert Hunter)
"Ya Se Va" featuring Ruben Blades
"Wreck of the Carlos Rey" featuring Richard Thompson
"Matter of Time" featuring Elvis Costello
"Someday" featuring Mavis Staples
"Chains of Love"

-- Barry A. Jeckell, N.Y.

Copyright 2004 Billboard