Formed in 2017 and following the successful Volume 1 album in 2019, David Beck’s Tejano Weekend has released another strong set of accordion-based Tex-Mex music, with English lyrics, to emphasize their youthful, appealing contemporary Tejano Conjunto style. For the past several decades, the once maligned accordion has undergone a make-over, gained popularity once again, and become a very hot instrument, especially when played well in the context of music with Mexican and American influences.  Bassist and vocalist David Beck has a core quintet with Peter Huysman (keys, vocals), Dees Stribling (drums, percussion), David Herrera (accordion, trumpet) and John Saucedo (guitar, bajo quinto). 

Among the six guests on Volume 2 is Tejano accordionist David Lee Garza, featured in the opener “The Deal of a Lifetime” and danceable “Put Me in Jail,” a remake of the classic 1966 hit from Sunny and The Sunliners. Volume 2’s charming variety, with both originals and covers, has elements of country, pop and even polka music. A rhythmic track like “For Somebody’s Sake” exhibits a grooving reggae flavor with a more urbane feeling. While “Shouting Your Name” is more balladic in nature, with its slower tempo and vocal harmony, “I Rush In (Just Like a Fool)” offers a radio-friendly arrangement with dynamic, instrumental fills and a sweet guitar solo between the lyrical message. Their soulful cover of Billy Joe Shaver’s “Live Forever” presents the songwriter’s artful earthiness with the band’s own unique sound. A gospel-infused country classic “Go Rest High on that Mountain” provides a reflective moment as Beck sings, “Go rest high on that mountain, Son your work on earth is done, Go to Heaven a-shoutin', Love for the Father and the Son.”

David Beck’s Tejano Weekend offers a worthy Tex-Mex and Americana musical experience that also merging music from a wealth of styles. This approach will certainly gain them a legion of friends and fans who like to party and twirl on the dance floor to steady 2-step or 3-step country dance styles. While Volume 2 may be lean on info about the band, liner notes and song credits, check out David Beck’s Tejano Weekend. More than just another regional band, their roots-based music certainly deserves a wider listen and has potential for mainstream success further afield than the band’s Central Texas base.  (Joe Ross, Roots Music Report)