Reviews
"The great Norteno singer Lydia Mendoza is as important to the history of music as Hank Williams, Janis Joplin, or James Brown, and she deserves to be as well known as they are. Now perhaps she will be, thanks to this wonderful and innovative book. Mendoza's fascinating testimony about herlife experiences illuminates the career of an extraordinary artist, and Yolanda Broyles-Gonzalez's astute analysis superbly locates Mendoza's story within the larger context of Chicana and Mexicana culture, history, and spirituality." --George Lipsitz, author of Time Passages and DangerousCrossroads, "A valuable document...centers around women's issues and spirituality in the life of Lydia Mendoza, indisputably the most popular Mexican-American female soloist of the 20th century." -- Notes "The book provides interesting glimpses into the life of Lydia Mendoza, and the CD of her performances is warmly welcomed."-- British Journal of Ethnomusicology "[H]ighly original....this work provides an important contribution to the literature on women musicians' oral narratives. The sound quality of the attached CD, an invaluable sonic document, is very good."-- the world of music 44(2) - 2002 "Written in Spanish and English, Broyles-González's book offers an innovative format and style that highlights Lydia Mendoza as principal narrator. Reading this book is like having an intimate conversation with Lydia Mendoza herself. She speaks candidly on a number of personal issues including the sources of her faith, her family life and her philosophy on life. These vivid vignettes provide a fascinating glimpse into the cultural ambiance in which this musical legend carved out her career. To complete this book, Broyles-González skillfully crafts a compelling analysis that contextualizes and amplifies Mendoza's historia. This extraordinary book will prove invaluable to fans and scholars alike." --Professor Olga Nájera-Ramírez, University of California at Santa Cruz "The great Norteño singer Lydia Mendoza is as important to the history of music as Hank Williams, Janis Joplin, or James Brown, and she deserves to be as well known as they are. Now perhaps she will be, thanks to this wonderful and innovative book. Mendoza's fascinating testimony about her life experiences illuminates the career of an extraordinary artist, and Yolanda Broyles-González's astute analysis superbly locates Mendoza's story within the larger context of Chicana and Mexicana culture, history, and spirituality." --George Lipsitz, author of Time Passages and Dangerous Crossroads This is the genuine Lydia Mendoza speaking, in all her straight-from-the-heart-eloquence, whether in her native Spanish or in Broyles-González' sensitive translation. Broyles-González allows the great American folksinger to tell her own story, and the result is a stirring narrative that is both personal and collective. The legendary performer's struggles and successes parallel those of her people, and her story stands as testimonial not only to Mendoza's faith and artistic genius, but to the public that recognized her gift and proclaimed her as its artistic voice--"la cancionera de los pobres" ("singer of the poor"). --Manuel Peña, California State University at Fresno, and author of Música Tejana "Those familiar with Lydia Mendoza's history-making musical career will cherish the front-and-center personal narrative of her life and career in this work. Those who would discover her for the first time surely will become admirers of her earthy force of character that comes to the fore in her music, persona, and professional triumph." --Daniel Sheehy, Smithsonian Institution, This is the genuine Lydia Mendoza speaking, in all her straight-from-the-heart-eloquence, whether in her native Spanish or in Broyles-Gonzalez' sensitive translation. Broyles-Gonzalez allows the great American folksinger to tell her own story, and the result is a stirring narrative that isboth personal and collective. The legendary performer's struggles and successes parallel those of her people, and her story stands as testimonial not only to Mendoza's faith and artistic genius, but to the public that recognized her gift and proclaimed her as its artistic voice--"la cancionera delos pobres" ("singer of the poor"). --Manuel Pena, California State University at Fresno, and author of Musica Tejana, "Written in Spanish and English, Broyles-Gonzalez's book offers aninnovative format and style that highlights Lydia Mendoza as principal narrator.Reading this book is like having an intimate conversation with Lydia Mendozaherself. She speaks candidly on a number of personal issues including thesources of her faith, her family life and her philosophy on life. These vividvignettes provide a fascinating glimpse into the cultural ambiance in which thismusical legend carved out her career.To complete this book, Broyles-Gonzalez skillfully crafts a compelling analysisthat contextualizes and amplifies Mendoza's historia. This extraordinary bookwill prove invaluable to fans and scholars alike." --Professor OlgaNajera-Ramirez, University of California at Santa Cruz, "Those familiar with Lydia Mendoza's history-making musical career willcherish the front-and-center personal narrative of her life and career in thiswork. Those who would discover her for the first time surely will becomeadmirers of her earthy force of character that comes to the fore in her music,persona, and professional triumph." --Daniel Sheehy, SmithsonianInstitution, "The book provides interesting glimpses into the life of Lydia Mendoza, and the CD of her performance is warmly welcomed." --British Journal of Ethnomusicology, 2001, "A valuable document...centers around women's issues and spirituality in the life of Lydia Mendoza, indisputably the most popular Mexican-American female soloist of the 20th century." --Notes "The book provides interesting glimpses into the life of Lydia Mendoza, and the CD of her performances is warmly welcomed."--British Journal of Ethnomusicology "[H]ighly original....this work provides an important contribution to the literature on women musicians' oral narratives. The sound quality of the attached CD, an invaluable sonic document, is very good."--the world of music 44(2) - 2002 "Written in Spanish and English, Broyles-Gonzalez's book offers an innovative format and style that highlights Lydia Mendoza as principal narrator. Reading this book is like having an intimate conversation with Lydia Mendoza herself. She speaks candidly on a number of personal issues including the sources of her faith, her family life and her philosophy on life. These vivid vignettes provide a fascinating glimpse into the cultural ambiance in which this musical legend carved out her career. To complete this book, Broyles-Gonzalez skillfully crafts a compelling analysis that contextualizes and amplifies Mendoza's historia. This extraordinary book will prove invaluable to fans and scholars alike." --Professor Olga Najera-Ramirez, University of California at Santa Cruz "The great Norteno singer Lydia Mendoza is as important to the history of music as Hank Williams, Janis Joplin, or James Brown, and she deserves to be as well known as they are. Now perhaps she will be, thanks to this wonderful and innovative book. Mendoza's fascinating testimony about her life experiences illuminates the career of an extraordinary artist, and Yolanda Broyles-Gonzalez's astute analysis superbly locates Mendoza's story within the larger context of Chicana and Mexicana culture, history, and spirituality." --George Lipsitz, author of Time Passages and Dangerous Crossroads This is the genuine Lydia Mendoza speaking, in all her straight-from-the-heart-eloquence, whether in her native Spanish or in Broyles-Gonzalez' sensitive translation. Broyles-Gonzalez allows the great American folksinger to tell her own story, and the result is a stirring narrative that is both personal and collective. The legendary performer's struggles and successes parallel those of her people, and her story stands as testimonial not only to Mendoza's faith and artistic genius, but to the public that recognized her gift and proclaimed her as its artistic voice--"la cancionera de los pobres" ("singer of the poor"). --Manuel Pena, California State University at Fresno, and author of Musica Tejana "Those familiar with Lydia Mendoza's history-making musical career will cherish the front-and-center personal narrative of her life and career in this work. Those who would discover her for the first time surely will become admirers of her earthy force of character that comes to the fore in her music, persona, and professional triumph." --Daniel Sheehy, Smithsonian Institution, "Written in Spanish and English, Broyles-Gonzalez's book offers an innovative format and style that highlights Lydia Mendoza as principal narrator. Reading this book is like having an intimate conversation with Lydia Mendoza herself. She speaks candidly on a number of personal issuesincluding the sources of her faith, her family life and her philosophy on life. These vivid vignettes provide a fascinating glimpse into the cultural ambiance in which this musical legend carved out her career.To complete this book, Broyles-Gonzalez skillfully crafts a compelling analysis that contextualizes and amplifies Mendoza's historia. This extraordinary book will prove invaluable to fans and scholars alike." --Professor Olga Najera-Ramirez, University of California at Santa Cruz, "[H]ighly original....this work provides an important contribution to the literature on women musicians' oral narratives. The sound quality of the attached CD, an invaluable sonic document, is very good."--the world of music 44(2) - 2002, "[H]ighly original....this work provides an important contribution to theliterature on women musicians' oral narratives. The sound quality of theattached CD, an invaluable sonic document, is very good."--the world of music44(2) - 2002, "The book provides interesting glimpses into the life of Lydia Mendoza,and the CD of her performance is warmly welcomed." --British Journal ofEthnomusicology, 2001, This is the genuine Lydia Mendoza speaking, in all herstraight-from-the-heart-eloquence, whether in her native Spanish or inBroyles-Gonzalez' sensitive translation. Broyles-Gonzalez allows the greatAmerican folksinger to tell her own story, and the result is a stirringnarrative that is both personal and collective. The legendary performer'sstruggles and successes parallel those of her people, and her story stands astestimonial not only to Mendoza's faith and artistic genius, but to the publicthat recognized her gift and proclaimed her as its artistic voice--"lacancionera de los pobres" ("singer of the poor"). --Manuel Pena, CaliforniaState University at Fresno, and author of Musica Tejana, "A valuable document...centers around women's issues and spirituality in the life of Lydia Mendoza, indisputably the most popular Mexican-American female soloist of the 20th century." --Notes "The book provides interesting glimpses into the life of Lydia Mendoza, and the CD of her performances is warmly welcomed."--British Journal of Ethnomusicology "[H]ighly original....this work provides an important contribution to the literature on women musicians' oral narratives. The sound quality of the attached CD, an invaluable sonic document, is very good."--the world of music 44(2) - 2002 "Written in Spanish and English, Broyles-Gonzlez's book offers an innovative format and style that highlights Lydia Mendoza as principal narrator. Reading this book is like having an intimate conversation with Lydia Mendoza herself. She speaks candidly on a number of personal issues including the sources of her faith, her family life and her philosophy on life. These vivid vignettes provide a fascinating glimpse into the cultural ambiance in which this musical legend carved out her career. To complete this book, Broyles-Gonzlez skillfully crafts a compelling analysis that contextualizes and amplifies Mendoza's historia. This extraordinary book will prove invaluable to fans and scholars alike." --Professor Olga Njera-Ramrez, University of California at Santa Cruz "The great Norteo singer Lydia Mendoza is as important to the history of music as Hank Williams, Janis Joplin, or James Brown, and she deserves to be as well known as they are. Now perhaps she will be, thanks to this wonderful and innovative book. Mendoza's fascinating testimony about her life experiences illuminates the career of an extraordinary artist, and Yolanda Broyles-Gonzlez's astute analysis superbly locates Mendoza's story within the larger context of Chicana and Mexicana culture, history, and spirituality." --George Lipsitz, author of Time Passages and Dangerous Crossroads This is the genuine Lydia Mendoza speaking, in all her straight-from-the-heart-eloquence, whether in her native Spanish or in Broyles-Gonzlez' sensitive translation. Broyles-Gonzlez allows the great American folksinger to tell her own story, and the result is a stirring narrative that is both personal and collective. The legendary performer's struggles and successes parallel those of her people, and her story stands as testimonial not only to Mendoza's faith and artistic genius, but to the public that recognized her gift and proclaimed her as its artistic voice--"la cancionera de los pobres" ("singer of the poor"). --Manuel Pea, California State University at Fresno, and author of Msica Tejana "Those familiar with Lydia Mendoza's history-making musical career will cherish the front-and-center personal narrative of her life and career in this work. Those who would discover her for the first time surely will become admirers of her earthy force of character that comes to the fore in her music, persona, and professional triumph." --Daniel Sheehy, Smithsonian Institution, "A valuable document...centers around women's issues and spirituality in the life of Lydia Mendoza, indisputably the most popular Mexican-American female soloist of the 20th century." --Notes, "Those familiar with Lydia Mendoza's history-making musical career will cherish the front-and-center personal narrative of her life and career in this work. Those who would discover her for the first time surely will become admirers of her earthy force of character that comes to the fore inher music, persona, and professional triumph." --Daniel Sheehy, Smithsonian Institution, "A valuable document...centers around women's issues and spirituality in the life of Lydia Mendoza, indisputably the most popular Mexican-American female soloist of the 20th century." --Notes"The book provides interesting glimpses into the life of Lydia Mendoza, and the CD of her performances is warmly welcomed."--British Journal of Ethnomusicology"[H]ighly original....this work provides an important contribution to the literature on women musicians' oral narratives. The sound quality of the attached CD, an invaluable sonic document, is very good."--the world of music 44(2) - 2002"Written in Spanish and English, Broyles-González's book offers an innovative format and style that highlights Lydia Mendoza as principal narrator. Reading this book is like having an intimate conversation with Lydia Mendoza herself. She speaks candidly on a number of personal issues including the sources of her faith, her family life and her philosophy on life. These vivid vignettes provide a fascinating glimpse into the cultural ambiance in which this musical legend carved out her career. To complete this book, Broyles-González skillfully crafts a compelling analysis that contextualizes and amplifies Mendoza's historia. This extraordinary book will prove invaluable to fans and scholars alike." --Professor Olga Nájera-Ramírez, University of California at Santa Cruz"The great Norteño singer Lydia Mendoza is as important to the history of music as Hank Williams, Janis Joplin, or James Brown, and she deserves to be as well known as they are. Now perhaps she will be, thanks to this wonderful and innovative book. Mendoza's fascinating testimony about her life experiences illuminates the career of an extraordinary artist, and Yolanda Broyles-González's astute analysis superbly locates Mendoza's story within the larger context of Chicana and Mexicana culture, history, and spirituality." --George Lipsitz, author of Time Passages and Dangerous CrossroadsThis is the genuine Lydia Mendoza speaking, in all her straight-from-the-heart-eloquence, whether in her native Spanish or in Broyles-González' sensitive translation. Broyles-González allows the great American folksinger to tell her own story, and the result is a stirring narrative that is both personal and collective. The legendary performer's struggles and successes parallel those of her people, and her story stands as testimonial not only to Mendoza's faith and artistic genius, but to the public that recognized her gift and proclaimed her as its artistic voice--"la cancionera de los pobres" ("singer of the poor"). --Manuel Peña, California State University at Fresno, and author of Música Tejana"Those familiar with Lydia Mendoza's history-making musical career will cherish the front-and-center personal narrative of her life and career in this work. Those who would discover her for the first time surely will become admirers of her earthy force of character that comes to the fore in her music, persona, and professional triumph." --Daniel Sheehy, Smithsonian Institution, "A valuable document...centers around women's issues and spirituality in the life of Lydia Mendoza, indisputably the most popular Mexican-American female soloist of the 20th century." --Notes "The book provides interesting glimpses into the life of Lydia Mendoza, and the CD of her performances is warmly welcomed."--British Journal of Ethnomusicology "[H]ighly original....this work provides an important contribution to the literature on women musicians' oral narratives. The sound quality of the attached CD, an invaluable sonic document, is very good."--the world of music 44(2) - 2002 "Written in Spanish and English, Broyles-Gonz lez's book offers an innovative format and style that highlights Lydia Mendoza as principal narrator. Reading this book is like having an intimate conversation with Lydia Mendoza herself. She speaks candidly on a number of personal issues including the sources of her faith, her family life and her philosophy on life. These vivid vignettes provide a fascinating glimpse into the cultural ambiance in which this musical legend carved out her career. To complete this book, Broyles-Gonz lez skillfully crafts a compelling analysis that contextualizes and amplifies Mendoza's historia. This extraordinary book will prove invaluable to fans and scholars alike." --Professor Olga N jera-Ram rez, University of California at Santa Cruz "The great Norte o singer Lydia Mendoza is as important to the history of music as Hank Williams, Janis Joplin, or James Brown, and she deserves to be as well known as they are. Now perhaps she will be, thanks to this wonderful and innovative book. Mendoza's fascinating testimony about her life experiences illuminates the career of an extraordinary artist, and Yolanda Broyles-Gonz lez's astute analysis superbly locates Mendoza's story within the larger context of Chicana and Mexicana culture, history, and spirituality." --George Lipsitz, author ofTime PassagesandDangerous Crossroads This is the genuine Lydia Mendoza speaking, in all her straight-from-the-heart-eloquence, whether in her native Spanish or in Broyles-Gonz lez' sensitive translation. Broyles-Gonz lez allows the great American folksinger to tell her own story, and the result is a stirring narrative that is both personal and collective. The legendary performer's struggles and successes parallel those of her people, and her story stands as testimonial not only to Mendoza's faith and artistic genius, but to the public that recognized her gift and proclaimed her as its artistic voice--"la cancionera de los pobres" ("singer of the poor"). --Manuel Pe a, California State University at Fresno, and author ofM sica Tejana "Those familiar with Lydia Mendoza's history-making musical career will cherish the front-and-center personal narrative of her life and career in this work. Those who would discover her for the first time surely will become admirers of her earthy force of character that comes to the fore in her music, persona, and professional triumph." --Daniel Sheehy, Smithsonian Institution, "The great Norteno singer Lydia Mendoza is as important to the history ofmusic as Hank Williams, Janis Joplin, or James Brown, and she deserves to be aswell known as they are. Now perhaps she will be, thanks to this wonderful andinnovative book. Mendoza's fascinating testimony about her life experiencesilluminates the career of an extraordinary artist, and YolandaBroyles-Gonzalez's astute analysis superbly locates Mendoza's story within thelarger context of Chicana and Mexicana culture, history, and spirituality."--George Lipsitz, author of Time Passages and Dangerous Crossroads, "A valuable document...centers around women's issues and spirituality in the life of Lydia Mendoza, indisputably the most popular Mexican-American female soloist of the 20th century." --Notes "The book provides interesting glimpses into the life of Lydia Mendoza, and the CD of her performances is warmly welcomed."--British Journal of Ethnomusicology "[H]ighly original....this work provides an important contribution to the literature on women musicians' oral narratives. The sound quality of the attached CD, an invaluable sonic document, is very good."--the world of music 44(2) - 2002 "Written in Spanish and English, Broyles-González's book offers an innovative format and style that highlights Lydia Mendoza as principal narrator. Reading this book is like having an intimate conversation with Lydia Mendoza herself. She speaks candidly on a number of personal issues including the sources of her faith, her family life and her philosophy on life. These vivid vignettes provide a fascinating glimpse into the cultural ambiance in which this musical legend carved out her career. To complete this book, Broyles-González skillfully crafts a compelling analysis that contextualizes and amplifies Mendoza's historia. This extraordinary book will prove invaluable to fans and scholars alike." --Professor Olga Nájera-Ramírez, University of California at Santa Cruz "The great Norteño singer Lydia Mendoza is as important to the history of music as Hank Williams, Janis Joplin, or James Brown, and she deserves to be as well known as they are. Now perhaps she will be, thanks to this wonderful and innovative book. Mendoza's fascinating testimony about her life experiences illuminates the career of an extraordinary artist, and Yolanda Broyles-González's astute analysis superbly locates Mendoza's story within the larger context of Chicana and Mexicana culture, history, and spirituality." --George Lipsitz, author of Time Passages and Dangerous Crossroads This is the genuine Lydia Mendoza speaking, in all her straight-from-the-heart-eloquence, whether in her native Spanish or in Broyles-González' sensitive translation. Broyles-González allows the great American folksinger to tell her own story, and the result is a stirring narrative that is both personal and collective. The legendary performer's struggles and successes parallel those of her people, and her story stands as testimonial not only to Mendoza's faith and artistic genius, but to the public that recognized her gift and proclaimed her as its artistic voice--"la cancionera de los pobres" ("singer of the poor"). --Manuel Peña, California State University at Fresno, and author of Música Tejana "Those familiar with Lydia Mendoza's history-making musical career will cherish the front-and-center personal narrative of her life and career in this work. Those who would discover her for the first time surely will become admirers of her earthy force of character that comes to the fore in her music, persona, and professional triumph." --Daniel Sheehy, Smithsonian Institution, "A valuable document...centers around women's issues and spirituality inthe life of Lydia Mendoza, indisputably the most popular Mexican-American femalesoloist of the 20th century." --Notes
