The Power of Imagery In Music: Los Lobos

When it works, conveying powerful imagery through song is extremely moving. Last night Los Lobos played at Irving Plaza. The band's songwriting team of Louie Perez and David Hidalgo are masters of imagery. In the first of a two set show, the band performed Saint Behind the Glass, which originally appeared on their album Kiko. Kiko is the ultimate example of imagery through song done to perfection.

Louie grew up in East LA. When they were recording Kiko, he told me Saint Behind The Glass was inspired by a statue in his mom's house.

Hammer and a nail
Hammer and a nail
Saint behind the glass
Holds a hammer and a nail

Baby in his arms
Baby in his arms
Saint behind the glass
Has a baby in his arms

Watches me sleep
Watches me sleep
Saint behind the glass
Watches me while I sleep

Coffee in the air
Coffee in the air
Saint behind the glass
Smells coffee in the air

Curtains blowing 'round
Curtains blowing 'round
Saint behind the glass
Sees the curtains blowing 'round

Night upon my head
Night upon my head
Saint behind the glass
Lays night upon my head

Mother don't cry
Mother don't cry
Saint behind the glass
Tells mother not to cry

Louie who over the past few years has liberated himself from the drums and now is in the forefront, sings the song with a lilting passion that is both poignant and soothing. I can visualize this statue of St Joseph (I'm assuming it's him from the carpenter and baby references) perched on a shelf. It's a spring day and St Joseph is keeping watch over the Perez family. In it's simplicity, this song is magic.