“Canciones de Mi Padre,” 1987, was really good with Mariachi, Ranchera, Latin & Mexican music and influences. It was a global smash hit, 2½ million US sales, Double-Platinum, and is the biggest selling non-English language album in American record history. Ronstadt won the Grammy Award for Best Mexican/Mexican-American Album at the 31st Grammy Awards.
They were personal, heartfelt songs, too — These canciones were a big part of Ronstadt’s family tradition and musical roots. The title Canciones De Mi Padre refers to a booklet that the University of Arizona published in 1946 for Ronstadt’s deceased aunt, Luisa Espinel, who had been an international singer in the 1920s. The songs come from Sonora and Ronstadt included her favorites on the album. Ronstadt has credited the late Mexican singer Lola Beltrán as an influence in her own singing style, and she recalls how a frequent guest to the Ronstadt home, Eduardo “Lalo” Guerrero, father of Chicano music, would often serenade her as child with these songs.
That was a great album. I saw her on her album tour when she came to New Orleans. The band was excellent. The follow up album Màs Canciones wasn’t as good.