About a week ago, I had the honor and privilege of playing for a birthday party with Eddie Hernandez of Mariachi Azteca. We played El Rey, among other songs, and the the magic and electricity in the joint was as palpable as the guitar in my hands.
Jose Alfredo Jimenez wrote and released El Rey in 1971. Over the years, hundreds of artists have covered this song and made it a part of both Mejicano and Chicano consciousness. The song itself is about a man who lives as a king, whether or not he has money or or a crown. He understands that in life, it doesn’t matter who gets somewhere first. What matters is the manner in which someone conducts himself. Wise words upon which I’ve tried to build my life and career.
Tibetan monks create detailed sand paintings that, once complete, the wind blows into the heavens. While the paintings are intact, their beauty brings joy and peace to their viewers. But when the wind comes, the painting live only in the memory of experience. To me, live music is just like those sand paintings. The energy and magic lives during the time when musicians bring the songs to life. But then, the songs end and their magic dissipates into memory.
Playing that gig was something that I will never forget. Eddie is a master musician and gigging with him was among the great experiences of my life. Each strum and lyric brought a bigger and bigger smile to my face. I played so hard that I thought I would break my guitar’s strings. The energy flowed through me and I became a part of that El Rey’s legacy.
My wife recorded many of the songs and while they sound really good, the magic of the night flowed into the soul of the world. My own soul bonds now with musicians who can only understand a song through playing it. I know understand on a level I never thought I would. I can’t thank Eddie enough and if you have the privilege of knowing him thank him for me, will ya? Check out the video below (I’m the one with the dorky smile. Eddie’s the one with the actual voice).
