The book was published by McFarland and Company. In Tequila, Senoritas and Teardrops, he explores the influence of Mexico on contemporary country music, as seen through the eyes of various musicians. He includes interesting quotes from such country greats as Merle Haggard (who discusses “Seashores of Old Mexico”), Randy Travis and Marty Stuart, all of which add to its appeal.
He gives insights on Mexican instruments in country music and he discusses the San Antonio sound, which was influenced primarily by the iconic musician Doug Sahm, and it was neat to include the late Freddy Fender, who was best known for “Wasted Days and Wasted Nights.”
Another interesting topic that Peel explores is “Broken Hearts in Mexico,” which deals with tunes that were written for broken-hearted lovers seeking comfort. He also talks about Dwight Yoakam being inspired by the Mexican/Spanish influences in California culture.
“Playboys of the Southwestern World” is one of the book’s most compelling chapters, especially since he illustrates how Mexico is portrayed in modern-day Nashville, with the inclusion of contemporary music videos and songs to back up his point.
The Verdict
Overall, Adrian Peel’s new book is refreshing and unique. One can tell that he did a great deal of research on the influence of Mexico on the country genre, and it is safe to say that his hard work has paid off. It is well organized, with a top-notch syntax. It is worth reading just for the quotes alone, especially since they enrich the text and help bring it to life. This book garners an A rating.
