Home | About | Books & CD's | Poetry & MP3's | Reviews/Press | FAQ's | CalacaList | Calacagraphy | Calaquer@s
Calaca Press, P.O. Box 2309, National City, Califas 91951 | 619.434.9036 phone.fax | calacapress@cox.net | Red CalacArts Collective

Spoken-Word CD Reviews
By Omar Gonzalez - http://www.chilada.com

Los Crazy Word Travelers
The Taco Shop Poets - "Chorizo Tonguefire"

Since 1994, the Taco Shop Poets have been taking over taco shops across Aztlan (The American Southwest), and beyond, in order to bring the power of spoken word to new audiences. Comprised of four poets and 3 musicians, they draw on the images and sounds of the various barrios of California to distill a hip-hop, beat Chicano essence. Some of you might have been lucky enough to eat an asada burrito with the poets, but if you haven't hunger no more for the poetic words of the barrio. Poetry tacos have been served for portable consumption. "Chorizo Tonguefire", the poets first CD, is a diverse compilation of poetry. Performed with skill and backed up with solid grooves, this is spoken word at it's best. From the collective improvisation of the opening piece, "Taco Shop Poets Manifesto", we get hit with a hip and powerful collection. Especially impressive are Adrian Arancibia's melodic "Forgive Me" and Tom S. Riley's "Nada". This is poetry inspired by salsa, working people, booming stereos, street corner preachers, as well as the diverse history of spoken word. It is the different sounds and images of barrios clashing to create metaphors and rhythms of reality. It is the poetry of the streets. It is poetry of social consciousness that attacks issues with the power of "chorizo tonguefire". It is a poetry that moves us toward the cultural crossroad of a new era.

Hunger no more.

Read tacos.

Eat poetry.