Los Lobos honor their hometown of Los Angeles with Native Sons, a collection featuring covers of songs originally recorded by L.A.-based acts as well as a lone original. Native Sons arrives through New West Records on July 30 with Los Lobos’ takes on Thee Midniters’ “Love Special Delivery” and The Beach Boys’ “Sail On, Sailor” released today.
The band — which consists of David Hidalgo, Louie Pérez Jr., Cesar Rosas, Conrad Lozano and Steve Berlin — also prepped renditions of songs by WAR, Buffalo Springfield, Jackson Browne, Little Feat and others for an album described as “a love letter to Los Angeles.” The title track for Native Sons, an album recorded and produced by Los Lobos in East L.A., is the LP’s only original.
“I couldn’t say there’s a common thread for all these artists, but in a way that’s exactly what makes L.A. great,” explained Steve Berlin. “You’ve got R&B and punk rock and rock-and-roll and folk, and somehow it exists together in this one weird city that we all call home.” Tonight, Los Lobos will celebrate Cinco De Mayo with a special Mandolin livestream starting at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
Variety premiered Native Sons tracks “Love Special Delivery” and “Sail On Sailor.” Stream both covers below:
Love Special Delivery
Sail On Sailor
Native Sons Tracklist
- Love Special Delivery
- Misery
- Bluebird / For What It’s Worth
- Los Chucos Suaves
- Jamaica Say You Will
- Never No More
- Native Son
- Farmer John
- Dichoso
- Sail On, Sailor
- The World Is A Ghetto
- Flat Top Joint
- Where Lovers Go