By: Fredwill Hernandez
“I waited [approximately] a year and eight months before releasing AHORA because I wanted the project [Cd] to be complete to my liking and taste, I wanted to also grow as a songwriter. I took the task to collaborate with different composers [songwriters] and producers and feel glad — humbly blessed with the results. When I sat down to listen to the album, and realized how it turned out and all the good things and blessings happening, I feel AHORA [Spanish for Now] is the right time and opportunity to give the best of me,” explained Christian Nodal, the Latin Grammy winner and Fonovisa [music] recording artist’s before taking the Toyota Summer Concert Series stage [on Sun. – June 9th] at San Diego County Fair, held at Del Mar [Race Track] and Fair Grounds.
Upon hitting the stage, Nodal did not disappoint, all the anticipation and hype was worth the wait, as the 5’3” singer who emerged in a black cowboy hat, matching leather jacket and tight leather pants with a red bandana hanging form his back pocket — who has also “added” to his ensemble a bass player, a drummer, and an accordion player, to the typical mariachi outfit in what he dubs as Mariacheño, [in my opinion as a way to differentiate himself and his band’s sound through] a cross between Mariachi and Norteño, began to “set it off.”
“Before anything I would like to say hello and acknowledge Las Chulas de Christian Nodal, a Las Encantadas – to everyone from Mexicali, from Ensenada [B.C], from Tijuana [B.C.], from [here] in San Diego, and all of California – thank you,” expressed Nodal before singing “Vas A Llorar Por Mi,” a cover originally penned by Angel Romero and Luciano Díaz, released Oct 29, 2013 as part of Banda Recodo’s Haciendo Historia album.
During his hour and a half set, Nodal commanded [the Corona Grandstand] stage, and seemed to be enjoying what he was achieving vocally as well as his [playful] interactions with his fans who aside from singing songs penned by himself [and album collaborators like Edgar Barrera, Gussy Lau, and Marcos Mencha], also sang songs included in AHORA [his sophomore album for the Fonovisa music record label released on May 10, 2019] penned by other composer [songwriters] like [Former Sony Music President] Nir Seroussi, Erika Vidrio, Jessi Uribe, Tony Sandoval, and José Esparza, as well as singing other Mariachi classics [not included in his current album] like Vicente Fernandez’s “Por Tu Maldito Amor,” and Marco Antonio Solis’ “La Venia Bendita,” which was included in Nodal’s 2017 debut album Me Deje Llevar.
Unintentionally Nodal [would] set the stage for the fair’s “magical night” and for Fonovisa newcomers Los Crecidos who would later on [that night] would also perform at the fair’s Plaza Stage. Fans also started to arrive early in “anticipation” of the young group who hails from San Diego, [Ca.], and has been busy [tireless] promoting their single and debut album titled: Déjame Robarte Un Beso.
That same enthusiasm and hype felt during Nodal’s performance [which was a much larger stage and venue] “was also felt” during Los Crecidos performance who kicked off the one-hour and a half set with “Te Quiero Mas Que El,” a song penned by Joel Suárez and Diego Corona.
Aside from performing songs included in their [Déjame Robarte Un Beso] debut album the group also sang covers of other popular [Mexican] songs like, “Cosas Del Amor,” “Suena La Banda,” “La Vida Recia,” and “Dos Botellas de Mezcal,” among multiple others.
It was very evident fans “wanted more” after the group announced that “Déjame Robarte Un Beso,” would be their last song, and after leaving the stage the group returned to please fans and attendees [predominately young girls] who overwhelmingly [screamed and clapped and] requested to hear the [group’s] songs “Te Quiero Mas Que El,” and “El Wero,” [repeated] again!
“We’re very happy to be playing here at home in San Diego [Ca.], we’re also happy with the overwhelming support of all the people and fans that showed up, it’s our first time here at the fair, and our second show here in California,” eloquently explain Derek Rivera, vocalist for the group. “A lot of times were [in our dressing room, etc..] getting ready, changing — thinking of how the turn out is going to be, but It’s been great, so “yes” we’re very happy and pleased.”
Even though “most” Latin music acts [at the San Diego County fair] have been performing on Sunday’s, Banda El Recodo, [another Fonovisa act] performed Wed. – June 5, 2019, other Fonovisa artists’ still scheduled to perform will be [Grupo] Intocable on Sun. –June 23rd, and Los Tigres Del Norte on Sun. –June 30th, both who will also perform as part of The Toyota Summer Concert Series on the Corona [Beer] Grandstand Stage!