Valerio Longoria - Legacy of a Maestro

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Legacy features interviews with Longoria, Dr. Catherine Ragland and Juan Tejeda.

Ragland’s expertise into these border genres cannot be overstated. While others make vague or basic talking points, Ragland takes her time to explain the subtleties of the subjects at hand.

It’s been said by many that Longoria was one of the first border-accordionists to add songs to his repertoire. Ragland elaborates on that point, saying that there were other accordionists before and during Longoria’s time that were already singing in cantinas (bars). She states that what set Longoria apart from his peers was that he wasn’t doing the singing at cantinas; he was performing at respectable dances and in the recording studio.

Also, while those other musicians were singing rancheras, Longoria would be singing romantic pieces in the form of boleros.

Ragland mentions the close relationship that is shared by migrant farmworkers and conjunto music. She points out how musicians were bringing the music and culture to the farmworkers up north when they traveled there to work.

I think there should be a rule that Ragland makes an appearance in every tejano, conjunto and norteño documentary.

In the Longoria interview, he discusses various turning points in his life in music.

He goes over his first accordion, playing in Harlingen, going to Germany during World War II, living in different parts of the United States, the different labels he recorded for and teaching young people how to play the accordion. Longoria passed away in 2000 at the age of 75 — 12 days before his birthday.

The biggest selling point for this film is being able to have a clear look at Longoria performing. Unlike other accordion players in conjunto and norteño music, Longoria keeps playing the accordion as he’s singing.

The DVD features six complete performances that showcase his signature style and beautiful vocals.

The scene that resonated with me the most was of Longoria on his living room couch performing the polka "El Barrilito" (Beer Barrel). Professionally shot footage of conjunto musicians is rare, so a piece like this has some genuine value to it.