LEFTOVERS

posted by James Reel

    In yesterday’s post about the Mariachi Cobre/Tucson Symphony concerts, I didn’t find an appropriate opportunity to praise two particular elements.
    First, nine members of the mariachi group opened the concert with an a cappella performance of the national anthem (yes, in English); with its combination of near-barbershop harmony and mariachi heart, not to mention excellent vocal technique and musicality, it was by far the most beautiful and stirring rendition I’ve ever heard of that song, which I absolutely detest.
    Second, whatever you may think of Ernesto Portillo Jr.’s skills as a columnist in the Arizona Daily Star, there’s no denying that he was an excellent master of ceremonies for the concerts. He was funny, personable, yet to-the-point. Somebody should make this guy the host of a TV variety show.
    Nevertheless, I can’t resist sending you to this wicked, wicked parody of Neto’s column that Renée Downing wrote for the Tucson Weekly a few years ago. One Star staffer told me at the time that half the newsroom personnel thought it was terribly cruel, and the other half deemed it brilliant.