The Strachwitz Frontera Collection of Mexican and Mexican American Recordings (Chicano Archives) - Softcover

Gurza, Agustin

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0895511487 ISBN 13: 9780895511485

Publisher: UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center Press, 2012

Synopsis

The Strachwitz Frontera Collection is the largest repository of commercially produced Mexican and Mexican American vernacular recordings in existence. More than 40,000 recordings, all produced during the first half of the 20th century, have been digitized and are available to researchers and the general public online. Although border music is the focus of the collection, it also includes notable recordings of other Latin forms, including salsa, mambo, sones, and rancheras.

Agustin Gurza explores the Frontera Collection, discussing genre, themes, and some of the thousands of performers whose recordings are archived. He considers the cultural significance of the recordings, notably what the lyrics reveal about relationships between not only Anglos and Mexicans but also Mexican nationals and other immigrant and ethnic groups. Jonathan Clark focuses on recordings by mariachi ensembles. Topical lists of recordings and a guide to the collection with suggestions for searching the online files complete the volume.

About this title

Review:

"Chris Strachwitz . . . became an ardent collector of 'roots' recordings . . . and personally assembled this focused archive of some 147,000 items. Highly recommended."―Choice

"This book is aimed at fans of US border music and students (studying Chicano Studies) yet it contains much entertaining info and is well illustrated with vintage photos, record labels and advertisements― thus enthusiasts for American roots music will find much rewarding here."―Garth Cartwright, Songlines, November 2012

About this edition

• Publisher: UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center Press
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 0895511487
• ISBN 13: 9780895511485
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 136