"I'm a song catcher."
December 9, 2020 8:38 AM Subscribe
The Guardian interviews Chris Strachwitz, founder of Arhoolie Records. Just in advance of a free stream of the documentary 60 years of Arhoolie (on Thursday Dec 10, 8 pm EST/5 pm PST), a discussion with the 89-year-old founder of one of the record labels instrumental in capturing, documenting, and popularizing many styles of folk and working-class music.
"Arhoolie Records (named after the sound of a field holler) stands as the world’s foremost repository of American vernacular music: alongside blues, Strachwitz would record Cajun, zydeco, all manner of Mexican American music, New Orleans jazz and brass bands, klezmer, polka, hillbilly, gospel, street and outsider musicians, free jazz, bluegrass, sacred steel and more. Arhoolie captured the sound of myriad American communities and, in doing so, has preserved a remarkable kaleidoscope of music."
"Arhoolie Records (named after the sound of a field holler) stands as the world’s foremost repository of American vernacular music: alongside blues, Strachwitz would record Cajun, zydeco, all manner of Mexican American music, New Orleans jazz and brass bands, klezmer, polka, hillbilly, gospel, street and outsider musicians, free jazz, bluegrass, sacred steel and more. Arhoolie captured the sound of myriad American communities and, in doing so, has preserved a remarkable kaleidoscope of music."
I used to work for a company that handled some administrative duties for Arhoolie, and every Christmas he would send us many many tins of lebkuchen. Some employees hated it, but those of us that loved it would get into tussles trying to get our preferred variety of lebkuchen (chocolate covered vs. extra spicy). I still think about this every Christmas. Fröhliche Weihnachten, Chris!
posted by queensissy at 10:00 AM on December 9, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by queensissy at 10:00 AM on December 9, 2020 [2 favorites]
Wow, I've been meaning to watch This Ain't No Mouse Music for months. Maybe I'll make it a double-feature with the new 60 Years.
I ran a tiny indie record label in San Francisco for a few years, so I know a little about how hard it can be. Chris Strachwitz has been so much more successful than I ever was at sharing music he loves with people who hadn't gotten to hear it before, and getting money into the hands of musicians. I have such respect for him.
The Guardian interview is great - and through it I learned about the amazing Strachwitz Frontera Collection at UCLA, with tons of cover art and audio excerpts. Wow. And I'm so glad to know the Arhoolie catalog is now at the Smithsonian.
This is all wonderful to read and explore. Thank you so much for posting it, soundguy99!
posted by kristi at 12:02 PM on December 9, 2020 [2 favorites]
I ran a tiny indie record label in San Francisco for a few years, so I know a little about how hard it can be. Chris Strachwitz has been so much more successful than I ever was at sharing music he loves with people who hadn't gotten to hear it before, and getting money into the hands of musicians. I have such respect for him.
The Guardian interview is great - and through it I learned about the amazing Strachwitz Frontera Collection at UCLA, with tons of cover art and audio excerpts. Wow. And I'm so glad to know the Arhoolie catalog is now at the Smithsonian.
This is all wonderful to read and explore. Thank you so much for posting it, soundguy99!
posted by kristi at 12:02 PM on December 9, 2020 [2 favorites]
“ the stigma from working-class music like blues and zydeco to give a voice to the ignored”
Has the Guardian writer been living in a cave for the last 50 years? There’s no “stigma” to either blues or zydeco. Speciality Records signed Clifton Chenier in 1955.
posted by Ideefixe at 1:23 PM on December 9, 2020
Has the Guardian writer been living in a cave for the last 50 years? There’s no “stigma” to either blues or zydeco. Speciality Records signed Clifton Chenier in 1955.
posted by Ideefixe at 1:23 PM on December 9, 2020
Johnny, are you friends with Maureen Gosling by any chance? She's kind of amazing!
posted by queensissy at 11:40 AM on December 10, 2020
posted by queensissy at 11:40 AM on December 10, 2020
She is! She was my wife's college roommate and they're still in touch. We hang out when we visit the west coast.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 3:44 PM on December 10, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 3:44 PM on December 10, 2020 [1 favorite]
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posted by Johnny Wallflower at 9:25 AM on December 9, 2020 [4 favorites]