Calexico started as a side project for Joey Burns and John Convertino. In the 1990s, the duo were better known as the rhythm section for Howe Gelb’s desert rock ensemble, Giant Sand. With the release of their album ‘Hot Rail’ in 2000, which added brass and strings to the mix, Burns and Convertino stepped out of Gelb’s shadow and started to release a run of superb albums. The European version of ‘Hot Rail’ included the bold and brassy ‘Crystal Frontier’.
In 2002, Calexico played a gig at the Barbican in London, which was filmed for the DVD ‘World Drifts In’. For part of their set, Calexico were joined by the seven piece Mariachi Luz de Luna, who added additional fire power to this epic version of ‘Crystal Frontier’. Fittingly, given Terry Hall’s recent death, it incorporates snippets of The Specials’ ‘Ghost Town’. This classic clip is one that needs to be played loud with your dancing shoes on.
This was an incredible gig. The 2nd time I’d seen them, but this was the night i became totally hooked! The shots of John in this film are brilliant and show what a truly genius drummer he is.
Very envious that you were at this gig Cath! The first time I managed to get to see Calexico was 2003, but I’ve seen some fantastic gigs of theirs since.