Lydia Mendoza's Life in Music / La Historia de Lydia Mendoza: Norteño Tejano Legacies includes audio CD (American Musicspheres)
"A valuable document...centers around women's issues and spirituality in the life of Lydia Mendoza, indisputably the most popular Mexican-American female soloist of the 20th century." --Notes"The book provides interesting glimpses into the life of Lydia Mendoza, and the CD of her performances is warmly welcomed."--British Journal of Ethnomusicology"[H]ighly original....this work provides an important contribution to the literature on women musicians' oral narratives.  The sound quality of the attached CD, an invaluable sonic document, is very good."--the world of music 44(2) - 2002"Written in Spanish and English, Broyles-González's book offers an innovative format and style that highlights Lydia Mendoza as principal narrator.  Reading this book is like having an intimate conversation with Lydia Mendoza herself.  She speaks candidly on a number of personal issues including the sources of her faith, her family life and her philosophy on life.  These vivid vignettes provide a fascinating glimpse into the cultural ambiance in which this musical legend carved out her career.To complete this book, Broyles-González skillfully crafts a compelling analysis that contextualizes and amplifies Mendoza's historia.  This extraordinary book will prove invaluable to fans and scholars alike." --Professor Olga Nájera-Ramírez, University of California at Santa Cruz"The great Norteño singer Lydia Mendoza is as important to the history of music as Hank Williams, Janis Joplin, or James Brown, and she deserves to be as well known as they are.  Now perhaps she will be, thanks to this wonderful and innovative book. Mendoza's fascinating testimony about her life experiences illuminates the career of an extraordinary artist, and Yolanda Broyles-González's astute analysis superbly locates Mendoza's story within the larger context of Chicana and Mexicana culture, history, and spirituality." --George Lipsitz, author ofTime PassagesandDangerous CrossroadsThis is the genuine Lydia Mendoza speaking, in all her straight-from-the-heart-eloquence, whether in her native Spanish or in Broyles-González' sensitive translation.  Broyles-González allows the great American folksinger to tell her own story, and the result is a stirring narrative that is both personal and collective.  The legendary performer's struggles and successes parallel those of her people, and her story stands as testimonial not only to Mendoza's faith and artistic genius, but to the public that recognized her gift and proclaimed her as its artistic voice--"la cancionera de los pobres" ("singer of the poor"). --Manuel Peña, California State University at Fresno, and author ofMúsica Tejana"Those familiar with Lydia Mendoza's history-making musical career will cherish the front-and-center personal narrative of her life and career in this work.  Those who would discover her for the first time surely will become admirers of her earthy force of character that comes to the fore in her music, persona, and professional triumph." --Daniel Sheehy, Smithsonian Institution