In Mexico, where he was born, Vicente Fernandez is hailed as
the "king of the rancheros." He was born and raised
in Huentitlán del Alto, Jalisco, Mexico. He got his start
when he won a Guadalajara singing contest. Vicente and his ranchera
music have become very popular in Latin America and in Spain.
In 1995, his tribute to Mexico's beloved Trio Los Panchos, Recordando
A Los Panchos, earned him acclaim and produced two major hits,
"Miseria" and "No, No, Y No." Vicente Fernandez
Y Sus Canciones followed in 1996, and in 1998 Vincente returned
with "Entre El Amor Y Yo."
Ranchera Music
The ranchera is a type of Mexican song. Although closely associated
with the Mexican mariachi groups which evolved in Jalisco in
the post-revolutionary period, rancheras are also played today
by norteño, banda, duranguense, and occasionally even
rock bands. Drawing on rural traditional folklore, the ranchera
was conceived as a symbol of a new national consciousness in
reaction to the aristocratic tastes of the era. Probably the
greatest living exponent of the ranchera is the Mexican singer-songwriter
Juan Gabriel.
Traditional rancheras are about love, patriotism or nature.
Rhythms can be in 3/4, 2/4 or 4/4. Songs are usually in the
major key, and consist of an instrumental introduction, verse
and refrain, instrumental section and another verse and refrain,
with a tag ending. Instrumentation may include guitars, horns,
trumpets, or accordions, depending on the type of band that
plays it.
The musical pattern of rancheras is a/b/a/b. Rancheras usually
begin with an instrumental introduction (a). The first lyrical
portion then begins (b), with instrumental adornos interrupting
the lines in between. The instruments then repeat the theme
again, and then the lyrics may either be repeated or have new
words.
Some of the most popular ranchera conmposers have been Felipe
Valdez, Antonio Aguilar, and many anonymous singers. Well-known
rancheras include "Noches Eternas", "El Palomito",
"Una Mujer Casada", and "En Las Cantinas."
Rancheras can be played by a vareity of bands, including string,
brass, and accordion.
Another closely related style of music is the corrido, which
is often played by the same bands that regularly play rancheras.