Hot Half Dozen
HOT HALF DOZEN 11.5.25
Post Halloween and back to normal. Over 240 songs submitted. Here ae my recommendations –
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November 5, 2025
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Post Halloween and back to normal. Over 240 songs submitted. Here ae my recommendations –
Why is the Monster Mash as immortal as a vampire? Gaze into y crystal ball.
Songs for the season: Halloween and Day of the Dead from the US. Canada, and Mexico
With a Latin Grammy nomination and two Grammy noms, two BMI songwriting awards, and six Billboard Top Ten songs you would expect Elsten Torres’ new album, Vice Versa, to be a blockbuster — and it is. Seven songs that make you Happy!
Longer reviews – I enjoy writing them. Lisette, Alissa Cara, iLe, Patty Griffin, Renee and Marco Mares – solid line up this week.
Why is Bad Bunny going to the Super Bowl? Look at he numbers. He makes people much mas felice all over the world- and the audience for American football is bigger in Latin America than it is in the USA
New albums this week and new songs from Quetzal, Nancy Peluso, Laufrey, and Angelique Francis and her bass. Plus Angela Aguilar and Silvana Estrada
I am a little hazy about when I first encountered Alice Bag.. But I have followed her through the 2000’s and love the new album with Kid Congo Powers, Jungle Cruise
Two winners from the Mexico Sings contest (15,000 entrants!), plus a new one by Nashville -based Al Nicole and some down and dirty blueswomen
My long-time friend Irene Diaz is now under consideration for Grammy! As as I can tell she will be the first East LA Chicana to be dominated for a solo performance if the Academy voters move her up to full nomination
From cumbia to pop to heartbreak and love songs, this week is a adventure through Mexican and Latin music.
Meklit is the perfect example of Music Sin Fronteras. Born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, her family became refugees, and she moved to the United States as a young child. After a degree from Yale, she found her artistic home in San Francisco, California. Her music is a rich tapestry that draws together influences from jazz, soul, folk, and the varied traditions of East Africa.
From Brooklyn to Buckingham/Nicks, a great lineup this week
How did women go from 10% of the Billboard 100 in the 60’s to 1/3 of the chart and the top-grossing acts world wide this year? Talent, Persistence, and Cajones – which brings us to Militia Vox
Wavemakers- foundered by rock/pop/blues singer Lurleen Ladd , making music careers for women over 40
Americana, devastating pop, ranchera (yes – ranchera), blues and cumbia. We move around a lot on this week’s music recommendations.
A proper introduction to Gaby Moreno,, woman too talented to stay in one genre, Grammy, Latin Grammy winner, blues, rock, folk, Americana, Latin. And a stunning video of her childhood home washed away by global warming’s rising seas..
New songs and old talent this week. Robert Plant has a new album out as does Natalia Lafourcade and Margo Price
Estani’s latest album is a vibrant collaboration with the Grammy-winning legends Los Texmaniacs, infusing classic Conjunto sounds with her signature modern twist. “Mi Suerte Ha Cambiado” won Best Latin Traditional at the 2025 Hollywood Independent Music Awards: a stunning recognition for a song that reimagines a 50-year-old family heirloom into something timeless and magnetic.
Becky G & Delilah, The Warning, Eljuri and more, with songs ranging from hard rock to conjunto.
