Album Notes

Carlos Guitarlos is the REAL-DEAL and "Straight from the Heart" proves it. The disc features Mike Watt, John Doe, and Grammy Winner Dave Alvin. Carlos earned his reputation as the lead guitarist/songwriter of the legendary L.A. band Top Jimmy & the Rhythm Pigs. Many of you may remember the Van Halen song, "Top Jimmy", penned as a tribute to Carlos' band. VH wasn't the only ones on which Carlos left a lasting impression: You can count the Chili Peppers, Bob Dylan, Dwight Yoakam, Beck, and the Flaming Lips as fans. Carlos has recorded and/or played with: Tom Waits, Los Lobos, The Blasters, X, and The Breeders. He went on to become a street legend in his adopted hometown of San Francisco. There, he often lived the streets on which he played (we'll just say he's more than paid his dues). His hard living landed him in a S.F. hospital bed, fighting for his life with congestive heart failure, hence, "Straight from the Heart" (the title track was written from his hospital bed). That experience, combined with the alcohol-related death of his former band mate, Top Jimmy, was the catalyst of his recent personal turnaround and career resurgence. Carlos Guitarlos is once again a musical force to be reckoned with. "Straight from the Heart" greatly adds to his already significant legacy and cements his status as one of the great songwriters and musicians of our time. Pick up your copy now and hear for yourself!

Press:
There's a very good reason Carlos Guitarlos is not a household name: The music industry doesn't have a clue what to do with him. He's a walking encyclopedia of musical forms. And he's not afraid to combine, say, African highlife basslines with a Mexican guitar lead and a Cajun accordian line - and then tie it all together with a Creedence-like rhythmic thump. That's just one example. And the man has 3,500 more. That's thirty-five hundred. Carlos can write 20 songs in a day without breathing hard, and at least 19 of them will be better and more inventive than anything you've heard on the radio since Clear Channel took over the planet. Try fitting THAT into one of your silly little Alternative/Blues/Top 40/ genre check-boxes, Columbia House!

Carlos' music just doesn't fit into the current popular musical climate, packed as it is with poseurs, silicone-injected Pepsi shills and pierced-out white boys whining about Mommy. He is the Real Deal, a fountain of creativity, a two-fisted mouthsmasher and a swell guy, to boot. Who else can command the respect of Flea, Kim Deal, Jello Biafra, Tom Waits and David Lee Roth?
-Chris Grier, The Virginian-Pilot

A grudging compliment from Carlos is worth more than a hundred flattering emails from the average Joe. What can I say? He's one of those dudes that, assuming you aren't an arrogant ass, you must listen to because he'll teach you something. If Carlos says you're wrong, even if it's a core belief on music, you'd be well served to sit back and re-think things.
-John O'Neill, San Francisco Bay Guardian