"MEXICO AND MARIACHIS"This CD is a compilation of music that inspired the Mariachi series, as well as a few unreleased tracks from the movies themselves. Now that I have completed the Mariachi trilogy. I'm thrilled to be tying up some loose ends with this disc. MALAGUEÑA SALEROSA - This is a mariachi standard that was always a favorite of mine. I remember getting the idea for an updated recording while watching a traditional performance by some local mariachis while eating at a Mexican restaurant during the filming of the original EL MARIACHI. I always loved the chords, arrangement, and dynamics of the song, and imagined a great rock version being made from it. I even wrote it into the script for DESPERADO, but it never came to be. When I got to ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO, I did an orchestral arrangement (last track of this CD) for the opening titles, but again the rock version I imagined was never recorded or used. With this CD I was finally able to assemble my latest secret band, CHINGON (made up of players from various Austin bands, including Del Castillo), to finally record the version I've been dreaming about for over 10 years now.

ALACRAN Y PISTOLERO - On the DVD, you'll see video I shot of Tito Larriva playing me this song he wrote for DESPERADO. This was before we shot the movie. I loved the song and wanted to record a version for the movie, but it never happened. The only part we ever recorded and used in the film is the opening riff. Thanks to this CD, this is no longer the greatest Tito Larriva song never recorded.

SEVERINA - This is a song that I wrote with my sister, Patricia Vonne, during a Christmas holiday in 2001. It's about our grandmother, Severina. It was meant to be used for ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO, but I ended up using Patricia's "Traeme Paz" instead because of how it worked with the picture. But this song is still my favorite, and I still imagine it as belonging to the film in spirit.

FLOR DE MAL - This was the first song I heard of Tito Larriva's, by the band he had back in the early 80's called the Cruzados. I remember being in my early teens hearing this and being instantly taken by the opening strings and the spaghetti western lead guitar licks by Steve Hufsteter. This is their original version that first got me into the sound that would define the Mariachi series, which would be described as south of the border rock meets epic movie score.

THEME FROM EL MARIACHI - When I needed music for EL MARIACHI, I called upon several musicians I knew to help write the score quickly. One was my brother Cecilio, another my cousin Alvaro. This song is based on Alvaro's original guitar piece that I recorded in my bedroom for EL MARIACHI. To keep that low-tech recording studio feel, I sat in a room with Rick Del Castillo, and we played this version so that I'd finally have a good recording of that theme.

BACK TO THE HOUSE THAT LOVE BUILT (Acoustic) - I wanted to include another version of "House that Love Built," which I first heard Tito playing on the set of DESPERADO. This is what it sounded like.

CANCION DEL MARIACHI - On the DVD is a making-of for this song - a pre-record that I made with Los Lobos for DESPERADO. I remember meeting them on tour to record this song, and we used a song that Cesar had written. He played it to me off a small tape deck. It was a slow ranchero type song, in a major key. We changed it to a minor key and sped it up, then recorded it in record time so that they could make their next show! Now, when you go into a Mexican restaurant, you can request it, and the mariachis will know it because it has become a much-requested mariachi standard.

VOLVER, VOLVER - Antonio flew to Austin from Spain to begin production on DESPERADO. I picked him up at the airport and carried his bags to my truck (he remarked that he'd never had a director carry his bags), and we drove straight to Mexico. I played music to get him into the DESPERADO mindset, and "Volver Volver" was one that we played several times. He sang along because he knew the lyrics. A great live version of a classic old standard by Los Lobos.

POR MI CAMINO - I don't know how I got hold of this song, but I remember listening to it while making the movie ROADRACERS (after EL MARIACHI and before DESPERADO). I remember liking the arrangement and thinking something with this type of extended break could be incorporated into Cancion del mariachi.

JUST LIKE ROSES - This is the Cruzados tune that I've been wanting to use in a movie since EL MARIACHI. When I finally met Tito Larriva just before the filming of DESPERADO, I told him how I always loved this song - especially how it ends with this extended drum / guitar jam - and that I wanted to use it in EL MARIACHI but knew I could have never afforded it. He said he would have licensed it for free! Goes to show you, it never hurts to ask.

SPANISH CASTLE TANGO - The first tune I heard by Del Castillo that inspired the guitar sound for ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO. Those aren't guitar overdubs - that's Mark and Rick del Castillo playing together at the same time. Check out the DVD for more of their amazing playing.

LA PISTOLA Y EL CORAZON - This is the title track from the album that inspired a lot of the MARIACHI / DESPERADO series. If you check out the cover art for that album, you'll see a painting by George Yepes. I always loved that painting and became a collector of art by Yepes. He ended up making me several paintings for ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO. A couple are featured on this CD, on the discs themselves, as well as the centerpiece of the booklet. You can see more of his amazing work at www.georgeyepes.com

TORQUAY - Before there was CHINGÓN, there were other secret bands of mine, formed to create music for the various movies. There was always a revolving set of players, and that was certainly the case for The Leftovers. While finishing up the music on FROM DUSK TILL DAWN, there was still one cue that I needed to record, signaling the characters' arrival in Mexico. I chose "Torquay" for its classic party feel. Tito Larriva, Peter Attansasoff, and even our engineer Joel were pulled into the recording room at this late hour. A kid came in to deliver our last reel of tape and we asked if he played bass. He did! So we recruited him as well. The band is called The Leftovers because we were the only guys left in the studio to make this recording. The Leftovers formed, recorded, and broke up...all in the same night.

ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO (MAIN TITLES) - I didn't include this piece on the first MEXICO soundtrack because I hadn't finished the cue. I had always meant to add bass, drums and some additional guitars and percussion. I wish I'd had the time to make it sound like this for the movie. Here it is, finally completed (with the help of CHINGÓN) as originally envisioned.

-Robert Rodriguez