If I’m being honest, I’ve always been a collector in some fashion. Often this takes the form of dabbling, like my brief foray into comic books, but at times in my life I’ve been pretty hardcore into certain things, particularly sports books and memorabilia. But after a time, usually measured in years, I suddenly just lose interest, and then it’s time to move onto something new. If you ask me why, my best guess it stems from being an only child in a family that moved a lot when I was a kid. That meant my room and stuff were my sanctuary. The good thing is that when I lose interest I try to find a way to get rid of the old as I start with the new, so I don’t end up a hoarder.
One of my collecting side quests was bullfighting memorabilia, primarily vintage postcards and photos. I’ve never seen a bullfight, but there’s something so oddly surreal about just the idea of it, especially of it existing in modern times. The choreography, the artistry, and sheer, inexcusable brutality. Like so many other interests, though, this one fell by the wayside and I sold off the binder of postcards I’d amassed. But that memory still lingered, which is why I stopped and looked at this record while flipping through the New Arrivals bin at one of my local shops. It was in near-perfect condition, and for six bucks… I kinda sorta felt compelled to buy it.
As I understand it, Banda Taurina is often used as a sort of catch-all for various groups that play music at bullrings, though on ¡Bullring! we’re told this particular Banda Taurina is the official ensemble of the Plaza Mexico bullring. Stylistically there is a marching-band-like quality, structured songs designed to convey the mood for each act in the spectacle – a triumphant march, a trumpet solo to represent the bullfighter alone in the ring, a somber procession. The songs could just as easily be used in film scorers – at least one reminded me of the Sicilian wedding scene in The Godfather. Horns, drums, castanets, they’re all here, and the Banda Taurina clearly knows it’s business. All in all, a fun record and one I’m glad I picked up.