Albuquerque Journal from Albuquerque, New Mexico • Page 55

NTe in tie Friday, July 3, 2009 Hurricanes thrive, both solo and together 2cp MUSIC elm t4ri lc iiii --47'1, oiee'e'f, f--- i 1 lk.r,,,--, .,,,,,,..4, E. -1, :,,4 c', ,.16,,,.. 14.. '7. Fr l'2: 5'- Irv, :4,.:, 4 1 k-------- 1 Nig n' 6 1 dr 1r l- 0, I if 11 11(; -c, k------------- Al Hurricane Jr.

had prospects as a baseball player when he was young, but says he made the right choice in favoring a musical career. Al Hurricane and Al Hurricane Jr. WHEN: 9 tonight and Saturday, July 4 WHERE: Santa Ana Star Casino, 54 Jemez Canyon Dam Road, 1-25 north off Exit 242, and two miles west on U.S. 550 By AURELIO SANCHEZ Journal Staff Writer Since shortly after he was born in Dixon, N.M., people have been comparing Alberto Nelson Sanchez's life to a hurricane. Sanchez first got his moniker "Al Hurricane" as a child because, his mother later said, he always knocked over anything in his path.

Back in the day as a solo and big-band performer, the iconic 72-year-old Godfather of New Mexico Latin Rock stormed across the Southwest music scene, creating a sound as distinctive as his look with his trademark eye patch and big pompadour hairstyle. There was a time in the 1970s and '80s that Hurricane, playing with his brothers Tiny Morrie and Baby Gaby, created almost as much swooning among their adoring New Mexico fans as any of the big contemporary concert acts of the time. These days, he's joined on stage by his 49-year-old son, Alberto Nelson Sanchez who not surprisingly adopted the stage name Al Hurricane and is unofficially known as the Godson of New Mexico Latin Rock. Father and son will perform today and Saturday, July 4, at Santa Ana Casino, kicking off the casino's summer concert series, which will have appearances later this summer by The Dazz Band, Rick Trevino, Tobias Rene, Fat City, Spinning Wheel, Loaded and Gonzalo. During a recent conversation at an Albuquerque coffee shop, Al Sr.

said he sometimes regrets that his son took the name Al Jr. It causes confusion among fans and ultimately doesn't allow his son's full talent and contributions to shine through, he said. "I'm a ham, so I love being on Al Hurricane will storm the stage this weekend at Santa Ana Star Casino. HOW MUCH: Tickets are $5 in advance or $20 at the door, and are available at the Santa Ana Star Casino Player's Club or by calling 867-0000 stage," Al Sr. said.

"But as a parent, you always hope that your children will do better than you, and I feel that he has done that, but he's not always recognized for it." Al Jr. waves off his father's praise and concern. "I'm just very proud to be playing with my father," he said. "He's probably the most recognized musician New Mexico has ever had, and if you listen to Latin music on the radio, you can hear how he's influenced so many New Mexico bands." Like his father, Al Jr. went into music early, learning how to play many instruments, including guitar, piano, keyboards and trumpet.

He first performed at 5, singing "Love Potion No. 9" at the historic and now defunct Albuquerque Civic Auditorium. He's been recording, performing and producing music as a solo act, and as a part of his father's band, for more than 30 years. He has recorded and released six solo albums, beginning in 1976 with "El Joven" and continuing to 2006 with his release of "Sin Suda, Mejor Que Nunca." Meanwhile, Al Sr. has released more than 30 albums, his latest, "Albuquerque," in 2007.

Al Sr. has played guitar with some pretty big names in music, like Fats Domino, Marvin Gaye, Jimmy Clanton and Chubby Checker. The ones he remembers most are Domino and Gaye. He was on the same program his mother promoted with Domino in Espaliola when "Antoine," as he was called by his friends, asked him to play guitar with his band. "It went fantastic," he said.

"He even asked me if I wanted to go on tour for six months in Europe, but I said no because I had three kids and I couldn't go on the road for that long." Al concern for his children also shows in a story he tells about Al onetime prospects as a promising young baseball pitcher. "He had a chance to pitch for the Albuquerque Dukes; he had a heck of an arm," Al Sr. said. "I'm sure I made the right choice," Al Jr. said about his deciding to pursue a music career over baseball.

"Here I am, looking forward to playing and being on the same stage with my father again. It's still very exciting." A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO ALBUQUERQUE EATERIES Don't forget to mention that you found their restaurant listing in the Venue Menu SOUTHWESTERN THAI NATIVE NEW MEXICAN NEW MEXICAN VEGETARIAN Green Light Bistro BUMBLE BEE's a lbs Cha RAJA GRILL JASMINE Thai Sushi House Annapurna Ayurvedic Cuisine Chai House FRONTR aBACK mt lo4t Spodenco tta dmr of New Mode 9800 Menaul Blvd. NE papa 1 at theLobruner of uMeeng nE2ultank 1 el ippls 'M292-8877 www.papafelipen.com Open 7 days a week 11:00 am 9:00 pm Serving Albuquerque for over 33 years. Good food and great service in a warm, traditional atmosphere. Try our signature dishes or traditional favorites.

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To list your restaurant call 823-3310. Can also be seen on www.abojournal.com.