The musical soundtrack for a road trip should resonate with the countryside you're driving through, so for a trip that involves crossing the Mojave Desert, wandering through Indian-esque Arizona, heading north at the Colordo Plateau and ending up in Wyoming, songs that evoke the old west and early American and Mexican immigrants seemed to fit the bill.
This playlist will keep the pedal glued to the metal. Just don't forget that there are traffic cops in even the most remote areas!
This playlist will keep the pedal glued to the metal. Just don't forget that there are traffic cops in even the most remote areas!
Calexico - "Minas De Cobre"
Tucson's Calexico performs the perfect type of music by which to cross the desert. "Minas De Cobre" starts out so sparse you can imagine walking across the desert listening to this. The song quickly evolves to remind you that a lot of this land was once part of Mexico.(from The Black Light) Compare Prices
Nortec Collective - "Dandy Del Sur"
What do you get when you meld Mexican music to electronica? Tijuana's Nortec Collective! This group is spacey, trancelike and perfect to continue the trip across the desert.(From Tijuana Sessions, Vol. 3) Compare Prices
Ozomatli - "Violeta"
L.A. based collective Ozomatli made it difficult to select just one tune from their current album; but then I don't really have to. "Violeta" is another spare western ballad, but I'm going to add "La Gallina" and "La Segundo Mano" to the soundtrack.(From Don't Mess With The Dragon) Compare Prices
Los Lobos - "Malaque"
Here's another album that has more than one number going on my CD, although "Malaque" wins hands-down as my favorite. This early Los Lobos album also will give me "Maria Christina" and "Luz de mi Vida".(From Good Morning, Aztlan) Compare Prices
Del Castillo - "Maria"
All of Del Castillo's Brotherhood would complement this soundtrack, but there's something about "Maria" that really resonates with me. I'll probably need to add "I Never Cared For You", a duet with Willie Nelson.(From Brotherhood) Compare Prices
Kumbia Kings - "Fuego"
That's the original Kumbia Kings. "Fuego" is the name of the song and the name of their 2004 hit album. If we're still crossing the desert at noon, it will certainly feel like the car is on fire.(From Fuego) Compare Prices
Los Tigres del Norte - "Ingratitude"
Los Tigres del Norte's "Ingratitude" is from last year's hit album. The translation is obvious. It often describes how I feel about the person in the copilot's seat, taking that afternoon nap while I'm still driving. But as long as this CD goes on, there's no danger of falling asleep.(From Historias Que Contar) Compare Prices
Guardianes Del Amor - "Ella Se Fue"
Guardianes del Amor's album is a dangerous one because it sure is easy to get a speeding ticket while the Guardianes keep you trucking with their cumbia/pop/rock fused songs. "Ella Se Fue" is a tango that's a tad slower and prettier than some of the other numbers on this great driving album.(From Decorame El Corazon) Compare Prices
Los Lobos - "Flor de Huevo"
Another early Los Lobos album that makes driving enjoyable, "Flor de Huevo" always leads me to wish I was riding a horse. But then a horse wouldn't be air conditioned, although "Flor de Huevo" is pretty breezy.(From Los Lobos Del Este de Los Angeles) Compare Prices
Conjunto Primavera - "Ya Lo Se Que Tu Te Vas"
Conjunto Primavera's "Ya Lo Se Que Tu Te Vas" makes me want to continue down to San Antonio where the air is redolent with tejano/norteno music. But it's time to head north and put on another CD. Luckily, with just these 10 albums, I'll have about 6 hours of driving music ready to go.(From El Amor Que Nunca Fue) Compare Prices
