Album Review: Ritchie Valens

Mexican-Americans living in the United States in the 1950‘s made up around 2.3 million of America’s population. In the American music industry, however, they were not represented. This all changed when Ritchie Valens, a young Chicano, released the hit song “La Bamba.” Becoming the first Mexican-American hitmaker in the United States, this song hit the 22nd place on U.S. music charts. Valens then went on to work on his first album titled Ritchie Valens. The album would be released in 1959, a year after the release of his original song, “La Bamba,” and only a month after his tragic death.
Ritchie Valens, the album, though filled with only a handful of songs, holds an even more valuable meaning, given that it is only one of two albums in his entire discography. The album is made up of twelve tracks, a combination between cheerful tunes counterbalanced with soothing vocals. Although in my opinion this album is exceptional, it is also an acquired taste. The more buoyant songs in this album aren’t your typical upbeat songs found in today’s modern music, because this album’s genre is rock and roll. The songs might sound a little funky to modern audiences at first, it is to be expected, but once you accept the disparate sound, you are able to take a liking towards this type of music.
Out of the twelve songs that compose this album, I loved three songs, enjoyed seven, and disliked only two.
I didn’t appreciate “In a Turkish Town” or “Framed.” It wasn’t that the songs were awful, it’s simply that I wouldn’t call them my style. “In a Turkish Town” is a love song, but the vibe was what I’d imagine a 1970s Christmas song at the end of a cowboy movie to sound like. To imagine this bizarre composition makes me dislike the song. As for “Framed,” Valens used a conversational approach, slowing down altogether to talking during the song. Personally, I don’t enjoy when artists talk during a song. I prefer listening to a song that carries out a tune until the end.
On the other hand, “We Belong Together,” “Donna,” and “La Bamba” are my favorite tracks on the album. “We Belong Together” is a harmonious ballad, a romantic song in which Valens expresses his love for someone, and his desire to be with them for eternity. Romance is one of my favorite genres, whether it’s in books, movies, or in music. However, it is really hard for me to find a song that manifestly conveys the feeling of what love could be. There are songs that talk about love, but not many that illustrate the emotion. Nevertheless, everything about this song is what I’d imagine love to be, and how it would make you feel. With lyrics like “You’re my, my baby and you’ll always be,” and “Yes, we belong together for eternity,” Valens shows that his love will be everlasting.
“Donna” is a song dedicated to Valens’ ex-girlfriend. He sang about the love he had for her, and evidently couldn’t let go of. In his song, he described that though they were not together anymore, he couldn’t help but wonder about her, and furthermore, wondered what he’d do with his time and love that still remained. It is one of my favorite tracks on the album because it is a very mellow song. Even though it is a song about a love that could no longer be, and clearly displayed his sadness, in a way, he was also professing his love. In the song, Valens states that he was “left all alone… ‘Cause I love my girl,” revealing that he still loved her even if circumstances didn’t allow them to be together. This complicated mixture of emotions makes me find a special value in this song.
I must admit, “La Bamba,” though one of my favorite tracks on the album, is a little harder to describe in terms of how it makes me feel. However, one thing is clear, this is one of those songs that make me wish there was a way to listen to it all over again for the very first time. Everything about it is amazing, from beginning to end, it is filled with an electrifying sound, and keeps an upbeat pace all throughout.
My personal recommendation would be for today’s modern audience to take a leap of faith, and dive into the album of a prominent young Chicano, who was the first to lay the groundwork for those after him. Perhaps it might be the personal connection, as a young Mexican-American that some may identify with, or the range he managed to showcase despite the limited amount of work he put out as an artist. But one thing is certain, I believe this album is fit to suit the taste of many.
Review 8.9/10