NPR’s Ayesha Rascoe speaks to Raul Malo, lead singer of The Mavericks, about his current most cancers analysis and their new album, “Moon & Stars.”
AYESHA RASCOE, HOST:
We’re within the thick of summer time, and it’s sizzling. However there’s nothing like kicking again with album and your favourite drink to get you thru these lengthy summer time days.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “A GUITAR AND A BOTTLE OF WINE”)
THE MAVERICKS: (Singing) I bought a guitar and a bottle of wine, a track to sing to ease my thoughts.
RASCOE: The Americana band generally known as The Mavericks has been making music since 1989, and identical to a bottle of wine, they’ve gotten higher with time. They’re on the highway this summer time touring to assist their newest album “Moon & Stars.” However the highway has a little bit of a bump this time round. Becoming a member of me now’s Raul Malo, guitarist and lead singer of The Mavericks. Welcome to this system.
RAUL MALO: Thanks. Thanks for having me.
RASCOE: I need to begin with some information, Raoul. You lately introduced that you’ve most cancers, and I am so sorry to listen to that. How are you feeling?
MALO: Thanks very a lot for that. Here is the ironic half. I really feel nice, higher than I’ve felt in years. And so this was a – it is an unlucky factor, however we caught it early sufficient. And the primary factor is we need to get the message on the market to have individuals get themselves checked.
RASCOE: Do you are feeling comfy saying what most cancers you might have or what sort of screening you are recommending for individuals?
MALO: Positive. And the way it began is, I went in for a bodily. That physician advisable I’m going to a gastrointestinal specialist. After which he advisable a colonoscopy, after which that led to a CAT scan and so forth, after which they discovered a few spots. It is mainly – colon most cancers is what they’re formally calling it. It is a very treatable most cancers, and we have caught it early sufficient that they really feel assured that the chemo will do its factor.
RASCOE: Effectively, getting, , to the album, to the music, one of many new songs from The Mavericks is one which sort of surprisingly could, , tackle a special which means now with the whole lot that is taking place, and that is “The Years Will Not Be Sort.”
MALO: (Laughter) Yeah.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “THE YEARS WILL NOT BE KIND”)
THE MAVERICKS: (Singing) Have I wasted my time right here. Am I simply operating from my life? Simply immediately in entrance of the satan with no angel on my aspect.
RASCOE: Inform us in regards to the man on this track. What is going on on with him?
MALO: It is a very trustworthy track, I believe. I wrote this track with Bernie Taupin years in the past. And what’s humorous is that I did not sound plausible (laughter), ? I used to be too younger. I had manner an excessive amount of hair. I used to be, , feeling very invincible, as you do. You already know, 15 years later or in order that track actually resonates. However that is the factor a couple of track like that. It paints a really stark, reasonable image.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “THE YEARS WILL NOT BE KIND”)
THE MAVERICKS: (Singing) However I am studying to simply accept it, that the years won’t be sort.
RASCOE: You have spent your profession mixing nation with Latin and Caribbean influences, which actually comes by means of within the title monitor of the brand new album “Moon & Stars.”.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “MOON & STARS”)
THE MAVERICKS: (Singing) Heaven’s bought the moon and stars. Humorous how they at all times are shining down from excessive above, by no means giving up on love.
RASCOE: What calls out to you from all these totally different genres that makes you need to sort of pool them into one track?
MALO: Effectively, , once I was somewhat child, I grew up in a Cuban family. And my dad and mom – they had been younger sufficient to show me on to some actually nice music. My dad, for instance, was an enormous nation fan. My mother was a rock ‘n’ roll, massive band, swing opera fan. We had all this music in the home, and, , when – I keep in mind once I first heard Elvis’s “It is Now Or By no means.”.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “IT’S NOW OR NEVER”)
ELVIS PRESLEY: (Singing) It is now or by no means, come maintain me tight.
MALO: I believed that was the best rock ‘n’ roll report in my life, and I liked the way in which that he blended Italian aria into this rock ‘n’ roll track.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “IT’S NOW OR NEVER”)
PRESLEY: (Singing) Tomorrow might be too late.
MALO: My mother was instrumental on this as a result of I keep in mind taking part in her “It is Now Or By no means,” after which she performed me the Italian aria, which is “O Sole Mio.” And that, to me, simply blew my thoughts, and it opened up my world, and it put it in entrance of me that music is expounded, all of it, it doesn’t matter what style it’s. We expect we’re so intelligent, and we expect we’re so unique. And the very fact is, there’s eight notes in an octave. There’s solely so many chords you possibly can play. And in order that connectivity that Elvis confirmed – that turned my cause to do that, my raison d’etre, , as they are saying.
RASCOE: Yeah. Alright, properly, , let’s exit on a feel-good track, “Look Round You” with Maggie Rose.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “LOOK AROUND YOU”)
THE MAVERICKS: (Singing) Innocence, extra valuable than a pot of gold and much more uncommon than the cruelty we let unfold.
RASCOE: What would you like listeners to take from this track? I imply, it actually places me in, like, an island resort dancing round – I do not know, linen – , lovely sundress.
MALO: Effectively, , I imply, I believe that the sundress on an island is a wonderfully completely nice picture and a aim to aspire to, for certain.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “LOOK AROUND YOU”)
THE MAVERICKS: (Singing) And we could by no means perceive that the brotherhood of man is for all to know. And it is alright to lend a serving to hand to those who want it so.
MALO: I wrote that throughout the pandemic. After which, , I keep in mind the Uvalde capturing. There was Black Lives Matter. There was all this turmoil and all this strife and all this inequality, George Floyd. I imply, this track can be a name to my pals, my acquaintances, my – like, hey, , simply have a look round you. The individuals that you just’re desirous to kick out or do away with or punish – they’re human beings, identical to us. All they need is a good shake. And that is actually what the track is about, giving individuals a good shake. And the way will we do this? I do not know that I’ve the reply to that, however we are able to actually be kinder to one another. We may be nicer.
RASCOE: It’s exhausting to argue with the concept we may all attempt to be somewhat bit kinder. Raul Malo is with The Mavericks. Their album is out now. Thanks a lot for speaking with us, and greatest needs to you as you begin your therapy. We’re all rooting for you for a strong restoration. Thanks a lot.
MALO: Thanks, pricey. I recognize that a lot.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “LOOK AROUND YOU”)
THE MAVERICKS: (Singing) By no means thoughts, the variations are all so clear.
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