Tijuana Brass - 2025 Version

[Nemily]

People are going to love seeing this one, I'm sure. And I would wager that he's not going to do it in Bullish fashion either. Anyone attending wants to hear all the familiar TJB songs (even if they have a slightly new twist to them), and I'm sure he's thinking in that direction also.

Wholeheartedly agree. Last years show they did "Work Song" , "What Now My Love" (my absolute favorite I was so happy I cried), and a TJB Medley which wrapped up with "This Guy" (swelled up here too) and every TBJ tune the crowd was very enthusiastic.

 

[Nemily]

When he did "This Guy" the entire place sang along with him. It was really a goose bump moment.

 

[Mr Bill]

Who would make up the 2025 Tijuana Brass crew? Only Pat Senatore remains from the original brass (and I kind of doubt he'd move back from Italy to do this -- Hussain Jiffry might take that bass role). From the 70's line we have (last I checked) Findley, Papito, and Steve Schaeffer still on this side of the grass. Is anyone from the Bullish tour still around? Probably obvious Bill Cantos will take the piano role from late Pagani and Frishberg.

Anyone want to speculate on who would be in the band? I'll say Cantos, Findley, Jiffry and either TIki (current drummer) or Scheaffer. (using Schaeffer would be just one more musician to make it a credibly "re-united" TJB, but could be a diss to Tiki). Of course, he could audition new musicians for the new band... Captain B and I could audition for trombone and marimba respectively, LoL!

--Mr Bill

 

[Joe Gifford]

Who would make up the 2025 Tijuana Brass crew? Only Pat Senatore remains from the original brass (and I kind of doubt he'd move back from Italy to do this -- Hussain Jiffry might take that bass role). From the 70's line we have (last I checked) Findley, Papito, and Steve Schaeffer still on this side of the grass. Is anyone from the Bullish tour still around? Probably obvious Bill Cantos will take the piano role from late Pagani and Frishberg.

Anyone want to speculate on who would be in the band? I'll say Cantos, Findley, Jiffry and either ssiTIki (current drummer) or Scheaffer. (using Schaeffer would be just one more musician to make it a credibly "re-united" TJB, but could be a diss to Tiki). Of course, he could audition new musicians for the new band... Captain B and I could audition for trombone and marimba respectively, LoL!

--Mr Bill

I think he keeps his current band and adds the musicians he needs just my opinion really looking forward to it.

 

[Rudy]

Agreed, I feel the same way. The "original members" ship sailed long ago. If he brings the spirit of the TJB to the concerts, it will be a win. I don't expect toreadors and tequila, but a second trumpet and a trombone would fill out the front line, and there are many gigging musicians out there who could do a perfectly good job bringing the music back.

 

[Harry]

Do we think this "group" will perform mostly the old songs, with maybe a new one or two thrown in for good measure? Do we think that any of these live concerts will be recorded for release later? Perhaps studio sessions? Lots of questions. Hope it all works out.

Meanwhile, the 50 album is superb - and often on repeat.

 

[Rudy]

With the nostalgia thing, probably will be mostly songs that everyone knows, some deep cuts and yeah, maybe a new song or two. Plus there are a couple of Herb solo songs I'm sure they'll add on. Depends how long an average gig is, though. I don't see Herb doing marathon 2+ hour shows.

I'd settle for a video of one of the concerts. So much better than attending one in person. Let's hope it's in the works.

 

[Mike Blakesley]

I’m super excited for this. It’s a wish granted. I never thought Herb would do it! I’ll be anxiously awaiting the tour schedule.

Maybe he’ll get to Orlando and we can have another A&M Corner Southern Command convention!

 

[Bobberman]

Agreed, I feel the same way. The "original members" ship sailed long ago. If he brings the spirit of the TJB to the concerts, it will be a win. I don't expect toreadors and tequila, but a second trumpet and a trombone would fill out the front line, and there are many gigging musicians out there who could do a perfectly good job bringing the music back.

I agree it's a New era and knowing How Herb operates he always hires the musicians who will give him "the Sound" he's looking for. I believe it's going to be Very Good.

 

[martin]

If I was Herb, I would use the current quartet as the base and supply with good, young musicians, there are plenty of them. That would give the "new TJB" some of the freshness and inspiration that is in the music. I was so fortunate to experience "the Passion Dance band" on their European tour in the summer of 1997, and I remember thinking that that was the closest I would come to experience the Tijuana Brass live....

- greetings from the north -
Martin

 

[Rudy]

I was so fortunate to experience "the Passion Dance band" on their European tour in the summer of 1997, and I remember thinking that that was the closest I would come to experience the Tijuana Brass live....

I would be happy to see a version of that salsa band today, as well. I am surprised he did not pursue that idea more.

 

[lj]

This is wonderful news. In a way Herb is completing the circle, that is, musically speaking he started with the Tijuana Brass, and now as a mature master musician he we feature the TJB once again. He has repeatedly said he always looks forward, not back. But through popular demand the Brass will be back, and I am sure he will have fresh, forward-looking arrangements of his old hits. The NPR article notes that Lani Hall will be with the group. That's great-- just like her appearances with the 2nd iteration of the TJB in the 1974-- like the concert I saw--she will add an extra dimension to the show.

 

[Mike Blakesley]

Here is a fun idea: Not counting the "hits," list up to 10 songs that you really wish that Herb would play at this concert.

For reference, here's a list of songs he will almost undoubtedly play. Plus there will naturally be some Brasil '66 material in there too -- two or three songs or maybe a medley. This still may leave space for another five or six songs, depending on the show length.

Lonely Bull
Spanish Flea
Tijuana Taxi
A Taste of Honey
Whipped Cream
Mexican Shuffle
What Now My Love
This Guy's In Love With You
Rise
The Work Song
Casino Royale (possibly)
Route 101
Wade in the Water (maybe this is the end-of-show song with an extended ending?)
Zorba the Greek

Here's my "wish list."
The Sea is My Soil (granted, it might be tough to pull off live, given the orchestral nature of the arrangement)
Monday, Monday (or Slick would be good too)
Coco Loco (the most TJB-ish song of his solo career....stick some marimba on it and you'd have the TJB)
Beyond (my favorite of all his solo work, but this one is unlikely, I realize)
Jerusalem
Panama
Memories of Madrid (or Brasilia, or Freckles)
Treasure of San Miguel (or Town Without Pity)
I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
Green Peppers or Bittersweet Samba)

There are easily about 20 more I'd put on my list, including almost all of the Going Places and What Now My Love albums. In fact I started by saying "pick your top FIVE songs you wish Herb would play," but that proved to be impossible so I expanded it to 10. It was still tough to compile.

 

[Michael Hagerty]

What I'd love would be for Herb to play "Pretty World" slowly, the way he did on WARM, maybe in a spotlight on an otherwise dark stage. The lights gradually come up, as Lani softly sings along through the first chorus. There's a four-beat pause, and the band hits the tempo used in the Sergio arrangement and the song goes from there, Lani singing lead. Maybe Herb does the electric piano riff that opens the song on trumpet instead.

.

 

[Harry]

One of my favorites, for sure.

 

[Rudy]

I'm thinking six or eight classic TJB songs, a few solo songs (people are gonna want to hear "Rise," "Route 101," and/or "Diamonds"), maybe a couple of new ones, and some Q&A with the audience. I don't see this being a two-hour marathon, nor a gig for deep cuts. I also wonder how large the band is going to be--I don't see it being a full-blown band like the TJB days. Too expensive to take a larger band on the road these days. Just being realistic about all this.

 

[Michael Hagerty]

I'm thinking six or eight classic TJB songs, a few solo songs (people are gonna want to hear "Rise," "Route 101," and/or "Diamonds"), maybe a couple of new ones, and some Q&A with the audience. I don't see this being a two-hour marathon, nor a gig for deep cuts. I also wonder how large the band is going to be--I don't see it being a full-blown band like the TJB days. Too expensive to take a larger band on the road these days. Just being realistic about all this.

Agree. Herb and Lani have found a comfort zone in terms of economics, tour length and time on stage. Keep in mind, Herb's 89. Lani turns 79 next week. They're amazing. At 10 and a half years younger than Lani and 20 1/2 younger than Herb, I couldn't do what they do.

 

[Mr Bill]

Here is a fun idea: Not counting the "hits," list up to 10 songs that you really wish that Herb would play at this concert.

My list:
Freight Train Joe
Mexican Drummer Man
Talk to the Animals
Fall Out Shelter
Just You & Me
Wonderful World (Don't Know Much...)
Won't You Be My Valentine
The Factory
Tell It to the Birds
Guest Appearance Medley: Rat in Me Kitchen, The More I See You, Noche de Copas, Owed to a Devil/Save You, Stout & High, Never Say Never Again, Devil's Ball, and Diamonds (LoL)

--Mr Bill
(in a semi-sarcastic mood)

 

[Rudy]

Agree. Herb and Lani have found a comfort zone in terms of economics, tour length and time on stage. Keep in mind, Herb's 89. Lani turns 79 next week. They're amazing. At 10 and a half years younger than Lani and 20 1/2 younger than Herb, I couldn't do what they do.

I can't imagine what that Spanish Moon tour must have cost, even back then--they had to contract an orchestra for each location, in addition to touring with a band (5 or 6 pieces).

I would say it's probably going to be a "low-energy" gig in that the sets won't be long like in the old days (it was like a two-hour party for the TJB's 1973 and 1974 tours), and will not have as many in the band. I have a feeling the idea is to bring back the spirit of the TJB sound without taking that deep dive into a full-blown tour with a full band and an entourage. Herb probably wants to go out and enjoy playing and sharing his music, not make it into something exhausting like the 60s and 70s.

That was an interesting dinner I had with my folks back on one of those mid 70s tours--we ate at the restaurant at the PIne Knob ski lodge, and Herb and the band were having dinner at a large table not far from us. (And did Herb think those sunglasses were fooling anyone? 😁)

 

[Mike Blakesley]

I would say it's probably going to be a "low-energy" gig in that the sets won't be long like in the old days (it was like a two-hour party for the TJB's 1973 and 1974 tours), and will not have as many in the band. I have a feeling the idea is to bring back the spirit of the TJB sound without taking that deep dive into a full-blown tour with a full band and an entourage.

I'm not sure how Herb would use a smaller band than the original Brass and still get the TJB sound out of it. To really do that, he is for sure going to need two trumpets and a trombone, plus guitar, bass, drums and piano. And Lani. So that's 8 people right there. To me the only possible thing he could trim is the second trumpet or maybe the guitar, but either of those would really compromise the TJB sound. His current band has piano, bass, drums, Herb and Lani. They sound great, but they don't sound like the Tijuana Brass.

If he does different/updated/stripped-down arrangements, that won't sound like the Brass either. Yet, he's said he wants to bring that TJB sound back. So it will be interesting to see what he comes up with.

I'm betting/hoping on the current band plus a trombone and a second trumpet and maybe a guitar. If I'm really dreaming big, I'd add a marimba in there.

What he WON'T bring back are big grandstand shows like the one on the back of the SRO album. As Archie Bunker once said, "That bus has sailed." It will be smaller theater type shows. I know he likes that environment because it makes the Q&A easy and it's more intimate. He'll enjoy these shows more than the heyday ones, for sure.

Whatever he does I'm planning to be there!

 

[Rudy]

I'm not sure how Herb would use a smaller band than the original Brass and still get the TJB sound out of it.

At the very least, he could add a second trumpet (need those harmonies) and a guitar. The trombone was merely decoration/fills on the TJB records--it's not like the front line was all three brass at once on most of the recordings, especially on the hit records that will likely be emphasized. Still would be nice to have though.

I think there needs to be at least one percussionist to fill out the parts like the maracas, etc. Marimba fills could be handled via an emulator (synthesizer).

If it were a complete band that replicated at least the 70s version, that would be a hell of a nice surprise! I still enjoy his Montreux video (1997?) as he had a larger band there and it looked to be fun for everyone involved.

 

[Nemily]

Here is my wish list:

The Bell that Couldn't Jingle
Mexican Shuffle
Casino Royle
A banda
Tangerine

 

[TjbBmb]

Hate to be pessimistic, but I just hope if he does add the sound of trombone or marimba that it’s not digitally reproduced. Bill Cantos uses a synthesizer to add the marimba in the current show.

 

[Rudy]

A proper emulator or even a well-sampled marimba can sound nearly real via a synthesizer, but wind instruments I've found can never sound convincing when synthesized. That said, a marimba part is difficult to play on a keyboard, since a marimba has almost no decay; to sustain a note (and I'm grossly simplifying it here), one has to repeatedly hit the same note on a marimba multiple times, and quickly. (Listen to Julius on "Sunrise, Sunset" for a good example.)

Unless the upcoming TJB adds a percussionist who also plays mallets, I doubt there's going to be a real marimba onstage. Although again, if you listen to the hits they'll likely play, marimba doesn't play much, if any, part in those anyway.

 

[Mike Blakesley]

I'm thinking six or eight classic TJB songs, a few solo songs (people are gonna want to hear "Rise," "Route 101," and/or "Diamonds"), maybe a couple of new ones

I'll bet he does a few medleys. They already do a medley of TJB and of B'66 after all. He could expand upon those.

I never really thought about how the marimba doesn't play a huge part in most of the hits. Going down my lists above, you are definitely right -- the only one with a big marimba solo is "Tijuana Taxi."