DAVID BIANCULLI, HOST:
Welcome to FRESH AIR. I’m TV critic David Bianculli. Last weekend, a tribute concert was held for Raul Malo and his band, The Mavericks, at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Artists like Steve Earle, Patty Griffin, and Jim Lauderdale participated. However, Malo, who had been battling cancer, was unable to attend and watched from his hospital room. He passed away on Monday at the age of 60.
Born in 1965 to Cuban immigrants in Miami, Raul Malo became the guitarist and lead singer for The Mavericks in his early 20s. The band, known for its diverse musical style, played in Miami Beach’s punk clubs, blending Latin rhythms with rock ‘n’ roll, country, and roots music. They produced hits like “Here Comes The Rain” and “All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down.” Their latest studio album, “Moon & Stars,” was released last year. Over their career, they also produced an all-Spanish album and a Mötley Crüe tribute.
In 1995, The Mavericks released “Music For All Occasions,” featuring hits such as “All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down” and “Here Comes The Rain,” along with “Foolish Heart.” Terry Gross interviewed Raul Malo when the album was released, starting with the song “Foolish Heart.”
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “FOOLISH HEART”)
THE MAVERICKS: (Singing) Foolish heart, you made me weep. Foolish heart, I’m yours to keep. You’re the one that’s still with me, foolish heart. Don’t set me free. There was a time…
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED NPR CONTENT)
TERRY GROSS: Raul Malo, welcome to FRESH AIR.
RAUL MALO: Thank you.
GROSS: Some might find it unusual for a Cuban American to be a country singer. Did you ever feel that way?
MALO: (Laughter) Sure, sometimes. But it’s what I love. My parents supported me, and I grew up in a musical household listening to everything from Hank Williams to Celia Cruz.
GROSS: What was your childhood neighborhood like?
MALO: It was a Cuban immigrant neighborhood with hardworking, blue-collar people.
GROSS: How was the Miami club scene when you started playing in bands?
MALO: It was pretty wild. We were likely the only country band in original music clubs, which allowed us creative freedom.
GROSS: What do you mean by original music clubs?
MALO: Clubs where bands could perform their original music instead of cover songs. It was a creative space, and sometimes we followed punk or metal bands, playing country, which was interesting.
We aimed to attract people who might not usually enjoy country music, encouraging them to explore artists like Patsy Cline and Hank Williams.
GROSS: You mentioned early country artists like Hank Williams and Patsy Cline. Do you prefer that style?
MALO: It’s not just in country; in pop too. Nowadays, you don’t need to be a good singer or musician. But there’s value in the old way of truly performing and playing instruments.
GROSS: When did you move to Nashville?
MALO: About three years ago.
GROSS: Was it a cultural shock?
MALO: Yes, Miami and Nashville are different. There’s less Latin influence here, but I enjoy living in Nashville. My parents moved here too, bringing a bit of Miami with them.
GROSS: On your album “Music For All Occasions,” you perform “Something Stupid” with Trisha Yearwood. What inspired this choice?
MALO: We wanted to do a duet with Trisha, avoiding typical country duets. We chose “Something Stupid,” a song I grew up with, and it turned out well.
GROSS: Didn’t you think it was odd for Frank Sinatra and his daughter Nancy to sing a love duet?
(LAUGHTER)
MALO: It’s Frank Sinatra; rules don’t apply to him.
GROSS: Here’s “Something Stupid” from The Mavericks’ album, “Music For All Occasions,” featuring Raul Malo and Trisha Yearwood.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “SOMETHING STUPID”)
TRISHA YEARWOOD AND THE MAVERICKS: (Singing) I know I’d stand in line until you think you have the time to spend an evening with me. And if we go someplace to dance, I know that there’s a chance you won’t be leaving with me. And afterwards, we drop into a quiet little place and have a drink or two. And then I go and spoil it all by saying something stupid like I love you. I can see it in your eyes that you despise the same old lines you heard the night before. And though it’s just a line to you, for me, it’s true and never seemed so right before. I practice every day to find some clever lines to say to make the meaning come true. But then I think I’ll wait until the evening gets late and I’m alone with you. The time is right. Your perfume fills my head. The stars get red and, oh, the night’s so blue. And then I go and spoil it all by saying something stupid like I love you.
BIANCULLI: That’s Raul Malo and Trisha Yearwood from The Mavericks’ CD “Music For All Occasions.” Raul Malo spoke with Terry Gross in 1995. More after a break. This is FRESH AIR.
This is FRESH AIR. Let’s return to Terry’s 1995 interview with Raul Malo, guitarist and lead singer of The Mavericks. He passed away on Monday at age 60.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED NPR CONTENT)
GROSS: I understand your earlier album had more political songs. Is that correct?
MALO: Yes, those songs touched on political and social themes. They were personal, reflecting life in Miami and are still important to us.
GROSS: Can you share a personal lyric example?
MALO: Sure. In “Hell To Paradise,” inspired by my aunt’s journey from Cuba, the lyrics reflect the immigrant experience, resonating with many.
BIANCULLI: Raul Malo, who spoke with Terry Gross in 1995, passed away this week. He was 60. Coming up, film critic Justin Chang reviews the latest “Knives Out” film. This is FRESH AIR.
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