Singer/songwriter/guitarist Raul Malo has recorded an updated version of an old Christmas standard “I'll Be Home for Christmas," inspired by the presidential candidates' alarming political assault criticizing the return of U.S. troops from Iraq as “irresponsible," a “failure" that will “put at risk the victories that were won." Malo now performs the song with a newly found motivation as part of his annual holiday tour, currently making its way through the East and Midwest.
“We made this video because we just felt like we had to do something to let the troops know that, politics aside, the country is indebted to them for their service. “The embarrassments and the failures are the politicians," said Malo.
An exciting year for Raul Malo is about to wrap up. He began the year touring behind his Sinners & Saints release, which brought the Florida native and current Nashville resident into the studio with Texas musicians he's come to know (Ray Benson, Texas Tornados, The Trishas). The year ended with a major announcement about the Grammy Award-winning Mavericks—for whom he was frontman—reuniting at the Stagecoach Festival in April 2012 following a nine-year hiatus.
But before 2012 winds to a close, Malo will travel the East Coast and Midwest with his annual Holiday Tour, accompanied by a full band. The 14-city tour will take him to such cities as Washington DC, Baltimore, Chicago, Wilmington, Pittsburgh, Ann Arbor, St. Louis and Kansas City, as well as many smaller towns.
As did his former band, the alt-country Mavericks, Raul Malo has pushed beyond musical borders. Sinners & Saints was rooted in his life-long connection to Latin music, but infused with his wide-ranging love of country, blues, jazz and vintage rock 'n' roll.
He has been the recipient of much favorable press. The Detroit Free Press hailed his “tenor voice capable of Orbisonesque grandeur." The Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal-Sentinel noted, “His clear, beautiful voice puts him among the saints, but he's happy to be among all us sinners." And the indie-rock 'zine Blurt said: “With the voice he owns, Malo doesn't have to show off. He merely has to paint the musical pictures in his head, and the effect will be lovely."
Remaining Holiday Tour dates:
Tues., Dec. 13 EVANSTON/CHICAGO, IL SPACE
Thurs., Dec. 15 ST. LOUIS, MO Blueberry Hill
Fri., Dec. 16 KANSAS CITY, MO Knuckleheads
“We made this video because we just felt like we had to do something to let the troops know that, politics aside, the country is indebted to them for their service. “The embarrassments and the failures are the politicians," said Malo.
An exciting year for Raul Malo is about to wrap up. He began the year touring behind his Sinners & Saints release, which brought the Florida native and current Nashville resident into the studio with Texas musicians he's come to know (Ray Benson, Texas Tornados, The Trishas). The year ended with a major announcement about the Grammy Award-winning Mavericks—for whom he was frontman—reuniting at the Stagecoach Festival in April 2012 following a nine-year hiatus.
But before 2012 winds to a close, Malo will travel the East Coast and Midwest with his annual Holiday Tour, accompanied by a full band. The 14-city tour will take him to such cities as Washington DC, Baltimore, Chicago, Wilmington, Pittsburgh, Ann Arbor, St. Louis and Kansas City, as well as many smaller towns.
As did his former band, the alt-country Mavericks, Raul Malo has pushed beyond musical borders. Sinners & Saints was rooted in his life-long connection to Latin music, but infused with his wide-ranging love of country, blues, jazz and vintage rock 'n' roll.
He has been the recipient of much favorable press. The Detroit Free Press hailed his “tenor voice capable of Orbisonesque grandeur." The Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal-Sentinel noted, “His clear, beautiful voice puts him among the saints, but he's happy to be among all us sinners." And the indie-rock 'zine Blurt said: “With the voice he owns, Malo doesn't have to show off. He merely has to paint the musical pictures in his head, and the effect will be lovely."
Remaining Holiday Tour dates:
Tues., Dec. 13 EVANSTON/CHICAGO, IL SPACE
Thurs., Dec. 15 ST. LOUIS, MO Blueberry Hill
Fri., Dec. 16 KANSAS CITY, MO Knuckleheads
For more information contact conqueroo.
