Raul Malo’s sumptuous voice could captivate from any perspective — none more so than sitting at his feet.
Many years ago, the Mavericks frontman performed an intimate solo showcase at an upper-floor hotel lounge in Austin, Texas, during the South By Southwest music conference. If there was a stage in the corner where he stood — that detail is fuzzy — it was very small and very low.
Fans pressed in close around him, taking up all available chairs and floor space. I squeezed into a spot on the carpet within reach of his legs…