In The Eye Of The Storm

Next only to Santana, El Chicano were one of the most influential Latin rock bands of the '70s. But unlike Carlos, the El Chicano story remains a bit of a mystery to many outside of their devoted fans. But with the release of 2009's double-DVD set In the Eye of the Storm, admirers can now learn all about the group's history, as told by several of its original members throughout disc one. Included are modern-day interviews (including bits about each of their classic albums, how they started off by playing a sushi restaurant, and how they went from being called the V.I.P.'s to El Chicano), as well as vintage news footage of the early '70s (not of the group, but of what was going on in the Mexican-American community at the time). Also, you'll find plenty of modern-day performances throughout the first disc -- which shows that the group's live chops are still in fine form (including the El Chicano classic "Viva Tirado," among countless others). Disc two is comprised solely of a reunion show from May 2008 at the Avalon in Santa Clara, CA. Clocking in at two and a half hours, In the Eye of the Storm is a fitting tribute to one of the great (yet often underrated) bands of the '70s, El Chicano. ~ Greg Prato|