Showing posts with label USA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label USA. Show all posts

29.1.17

El Tonto y El Muro


El Columpio Del Diablo
Corridos Y Tragedias
De La Junta De Los Rios
2000

Tracks:

01. Corrido De Kiansis – Los Palomares De Ojinaga
02. Jacinto Trevino – Los Palomares De Ojinaga
03. La Tumba De Villa – Los Palomares Del Bravo
04. Los Traficantes Del Bravo – Los Palomares Del Bravo
05. La Tragedia De Ojinaga – Los Tres Amigos
06. Corrido De Fermin Arevalo – Los Suspiros De Ojinaga
07. La Muerte De Fermin Arevalos – Los Jilgueros Del Arroyo
08. El Corrido De Israel Y Guadalupe – Los Luceros De Ojinaga
09. Corrido De Martin El Shorty Lopez – Los Tres Amigos De Isidro Ruiz
10. El Corrido De El Pira Ramirez – Melquiades/Tomas Sevilla/Mariachi Frontera
11. El Zorro De Ojinaga – Los Suspiros De Ojinaga
12. Corrido De Pablo Acosta – Los Palomares Del Bravo
13. El Corrido De Amado Carrillo Fuentes – Tomas Sevilla/Melquiades Sevilla
14. El Arresto De Los Sanchez – Los Jinettes De Odessa
15. El Corrido De Gracielo Gardea – Mariachi Frontera
16. El Corrido De El Kilo – Los Suspiros De Ojinaga
17. El Leon De Le Sierra – Los Palomares De Ojinaga
18. Ejido De Palomas – Carlos Olivas
19. El Corrido De Esequiel Hernandez – Santiago Jimenez Jr./Victor Mermea/Jose Moreno/Amado Banda/Mar…

 ♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•☆♫

·.ღ•:*´♥`*:•ღ.·

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Where the Río Grande and the Río Conchos join, rests a remote oasis in a mountainous desert wilderness of awesome austerity. There the cities of Ojinaga, Chihuahua and the town of Presidio, Texas form the cultural and economic centers of La Junta de los Ríos. As is well-documented in the film The Devil’s Swing (Documentary Arts Inc. of Dallas, Tx.), this isolation has helped to preserve not only many customs, traditional rituals, and beliefs but also a ballad tradition of uniquely local focus and origin, a sampling of which can be heard on this CD. Although a few of these corridos (narrative ballads) are also seen in the film, this CD is a complimentary audio document and not the usual “soundtrack.” The corridos were recorded mainly on location and memorialize themes such as 19th century cattle drives, border conflicts between Anglos and Mexicans, heroes of the Mexican Revolution, hardships endured by day laborers, and of course the recent tragedies which have resulted from trafficking. Smuggling back and forth across the Mexican-US border used to involve wax, cloth, liquor, guns and ammunition but since the end of prohibition in the early 1930s, the focus has been almost exclusively on drugs declared illegal in the United States. To the local population, which sees Anglo society as rich, insatiable consumers of all kinds of drugs, these traffickers often become Robin Hood like heroes.

 The devil has mounted a swing between the mountains above La Junta de los Rios from which he can affect everything. Where the Rio Concho collides with the Rio Grande, the resulting flood plain defines an area of the border where traditional divisions between God and the devil, between bandit and hero, between the United States and Mexico, no longer apply. The seemingly unrelated worlds of sacred rituals, drug lords and the memories of Pancho Villa combine with the words, songs, prayers, and chants of the people who live in this remarkable place and are indelible in the minds of those who have moved away.


 When oral tradition quickly slipped away in the 20th century, the art of ballad writing seemed to go with it. Luckily, in isolated spots like La Junta de los Ríos, corridos, or narrative ballads, have continued to thrive. These ballads preserve Texas-Mexican border culture dating from the mid-nineteenth century to the present, documenting everything from cattle drives to modern day drug lords. Vibrant accordion and bright singing enlivens much of The Devil’s Swing. Los Palomares De Ojinaga enlists vivid harmony in Corrido De Kiansas to tell the story of a dangerous cattle drive in Kansas, while Los Palomares Del Bravo recalls the legendary Puncho Villa in, La Tumba De Villa. Many songs, like Los Jilgueros Del Arroyo s bloody ballad, La Muerte De Fermín Arévalos, document the illegal trafficking of drugs and assassinations of rival drug lords. The music of these story songs is often happy and danceable, despite the grim subject matter.

The Devil’s Swing was recorded as a companion for the film of the same name. This fresh recording, with its ballads and acoustic instruments, will probably evoke an earlier, simpler culture to many listeners. But the tales of drug smuggling disavow that. The lyrics also point out the continued uneasiness between Mexicans and Americans along the border. The Devil’s Swing manages the twin tasks of documenting the life of a unique culture while remaining musically enjoyable.


-Ronnie D. Lankford, Rootsworld


 ***


26.8.16

¡Buckwheat!


Hell Yeah!

Buckwheat!

Zydeco!

Everybody clap your hands!
and if you can't clap your hands, 
clap your hands anyway...! 
 




Buckwheat Zydeco
Down Home Live
Thanksgiving At El Sid O's
2001

Tracks:

01 - Soul Serenade (Bucks Intro) - 6:14
02 - What You Gonna Do? - 10:57
03 - Hard To Stop - 7:33
04 - Walking To New Orleans - 8:40
05 - Trouble - 6:59
06 - Make A Change - 5:45
07 - Put It In The Pocket - 5:29
08 - Out On The Town - 8:12
09 - Beast Of Burden - 13:00

Personnel:

Stanley "Buckwheat" Dural, Jr. (accordion, Hammond B-3, electric keyboard, lead vocals)
Lee Allen Zeno (bass, master of ceremonies)
Michael Melchione (guitar)
Sir Reginald Master Dural (rubboard)
Kevin Menard (drums)
Curtis Watson (trumpet)
Gray Mayfield (sax)
Paul "Lil' Buck" Sinegal (guitar)
Melvin Veazie (guitar)
Calvin Landry (trumpet)
Paul Wiltz (Sax)

♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•☆♫

·.ღ•:*´♥`*:•ღ.·

♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•☆♫`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•☆♫

 Live from Louisiana's Creole Country comes Buckwheat Zydeco’s "Down Home Live!," the first-ever live album of zydeco's best-loved ambassador, Buckwheat Zydeco. "Down Home Live!," is a record of rollicking good times tracked in the intimate confines of El Sid O's Zydeco & Blues Club during a hometown break for the barnstorming bandleader's annual Thanksgiving show in Lafayette, La.

Blues Access, in a cover story and lead review, said: "The good-natured energy that literally pops off of this disc immediately makes you wish you had been at El Sid O’s to witness the show in person. But you’ll be glad to have this document of the event that catches not only every feel-good note but the essential ‘vibe’ of the evening as well ... it’s impossible to resist being caught up in the sheer sense of fun and release (it) draws you into."

From the powerhouse dance floor boogie of "What You Gonna Do?" to the majestic soul of Dural's brilliant reading of "Beast of Burden," the band does it all. The group even revisits their inventive reworking of Fats Domino's "Walking to New Orleans" and Dural's reggae-tinged zyde-soul anthem "Make A Change."

The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and others have called Buckwheat Zydeco "one of the best party bands in America," and now music fans need venture no farther than their CD players to find out what all the fuss is about.

" Down Home Live!" showcases the show-stopping dynamics that've turned countless curious listeners and concert-goers into full-fledged zydeco fanatics. This is also the disc the converted have been waiting for, as it captures Buck’s irresistible personality, bottling the between-song patter, soaring solos and horn-driven workouts that are this legendary live act's trademarks.

Lucky
Lucky
Lucky

that we have this music
rush to the last remaining
record shop
and get your copy
tomorrow

;-) 

or get your Buckwheat




... The selection of music is comprised of old standards and new originals that illustrate the scope of Buckwheat Zydeco’s capabilities. While technical bravado is substantial, the group’s delivery allows us to play distant witness to a rare party. Down Home Live is incredibly fun, and will make you want to catch the first plane to Louisiana for some first-person interaction with one of the greatest performing units of the past thirty years ...



22.5.15

Nadah Benagolze

  
Wood That Sings
Indian Fiddle Music of the Americas
1997

Tracks:

01. Violín - José Enrique Benítez - 2:54
02. La Guaneña - Danubio Azul Group, The - 2:34
03. Danza a Santiago - Townspeople of Llacuari Pueblo - 3:02
04. Kariso - Antonio Lorenzano - 1:20
05. Araku - Gervasio Martínez - 2:10
06. Nantu ("Luna") - Pedro Nayap - 3:39
07. Yan Tox - Mateo Mo Xal and Crisanto Coc - 2:08
08. Jacaltenango - Grupo Jolom Conob - 3:52
09. Aires Fandango - Marcelino Poot Ek, Pedro Ek Cituk, and Esteban Caamal Dzul - 4:39
10. Tzacamson - Townspeople of Tancanhuitz - 1:55
11. Son Para Entregar a la Novia - José Augustín and José Martín Cruz - 4:00
12. Wiricuta - Mariano, Pablo, Rosenda, and Augustín - 2:05
13. Melody Played on the Enneg - Francisco Barnet Astorga - 0:48
14. I'll Go with You - Chesley Goseyun Wilson - 3:25
15. Pahko'ola Dance Song - Felipe Molina and the Yaqui Deer Singers - 3:37
16. Never Alone - The San Xavier Fiddle Band - 2:15
17. Strathspey and Reel Medley - Lee Cremo Trio - 4:49
18. Jig Medley - Lee Cremo Trio - 5:13
19. Finale Medley - Lawrence Houle - 7:26
20. Eagle Island Blues: Athapaskan Love Song - Bill Stevens, Frances Williams, and Lisa Jaeger - 4:28
21. Turkey in the Straw - Georgia Wettlin-Larsen - 1:17
22. Road to Baroche - Jimmie LaRocque, Gerry McIvor, and Kim Chartrand - 2:28
23. Big John McNeill - Jimmie LaRocque, Gerry McIvor, and Kim Chartrand - 2:07

Countrys:

Argentina; Bolivia; Canada; Colombia; Ecuador; Guatemala; Mexico; Peru; United States; Venezuela
 
Culture Groups:

Apache; Assiniboine; Chapaco; Gwich'in; Huichol; Kanjobal Maya; Kekchi; Maya; Mbya; Micmac; Nahua; Ojibwa; Quechua; Seri; Shuar; Tenek; Tohono O'Odham; Warao; Yaqui

Instruments:

Baritono; Bombo (Drum); Enneg; Fiddle; Flute; Guitar; Harp; Jigger; Kitar; Monochord; Piano; Rebec; Seke-Seke; Tambura; Tiple (Plucked instrument); Torola; Trumpet; Violin

♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•☆♫

.ღ•:*´♥`*:•ღ. 

♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•☆♫`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•☆♫

This anthology of Indian fiddle music of the Americas features performances by Indian musicians from Nova Scotia and Manitoba to North Dakota and Arizona, to Mexico, Peru, and elsewhere in Latin America. Using this most popular of instruments as a way to explore the great variety and creativity of Indian musical traditions—from chicken scratch to the indigenous Apache fiddle—this recording expresses the capacity of Native cultures to adapt and synthesize non-Native influences.  


Chasi, Bonito's Son, an Apache musician playing the "Apache fiddle"

 Jonathan Colcord writes:

 Here is an interesting anthology of songs performed by native Americans. My first reaction to these recordings was that they were old. While much of the material may be, the recordings are all of relativley recent vintage. The most wonderful aspect of this release is the way the works are placed in relation to one another, almost like a musical map. It begins in Bolivia with a piece simply titled 'Violin' from Jose Enrique Benitez. We are moved from there to Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Agentina, Ecuador, Guatamala, and into Mexico. At this point you realize what is happening stylistically as we progress northward. Familiar western styles begin to emerge, epecially when Mexico emerges.

From there we move into Arizona, and from there, clear up to Cape Bretton. Mi'Kmaq group the Lee Cremo Trio play relatively straight forward Cape Bretton style fiddle music much to my surprise. It becomes more of a tribute to native musicians themselves than another collection of traditional songs, otherwise obscure. When we arrive in Manitoba, the styles bend more toward country fiddling even including a bit of the 'Orange Blossom Special'. In the US, stops are made in Alaska, Wisconsin, and North Dakota. One of the highlights for me was Jimmie Laroque, a Chippewa from Norht Dakota and 'Road To Batoche', a song which reminded me of 'Jerusalem's Ridge', one of my all-time favorite fiddle-tunes. Another high-point is Georgia Wettlin-Larsen, Assiniboine Nakota from Wisconsin performing 'Turkey In The Straw' including vocals in both English and her native language.

 Jim Nelson says:

Listening to this CD is like taking a musical journey among the Indian peoples that reside throughout the Western Hemisphere, from the Chapaco in Argentina to Gwich'in Athapaskans in Alaska, with stops all along the way. Some folks may be a bit surprised by the fact that fiddling itself is so commonplace among such diverse Indian cultures, and at the same time, by how remarkably similar some of this music sounds to fiddling traditions in the U.S. and Canada which derive directly from Scottish, Irish, and French sources with which they may be familiar. In fact, some of the fiddlers included here play in a style that is virtually identical to their Anglo counterparts. Leo Creomo and his trio, for example, play straight-ahead dance tunes not unlike those heard played throughout their native Cape Breton Island. Metis fiddlers Lawrence "Teddy Boy" Houle and Jimmie LaRocque both exhibit traces of Scottish as well as other European-rooted traditions, including Irish and French-Canadian. Both, for instance, play the well-known tune "Big John McNeill." Houle plays a medley of tunes that suddenly careens into bluegrass territory with versions of "Orange Blossom Special," "Old Joe Clark," and "Boil Them Cabbage Down."

While some of the tunes and styles played by the fiddlers from the U.S. and Canada often seem to have some familiar quality about them, the music on this disc played by the South and Central American musicians definitely sounds like it comes from a different time and place. Alternately mesmerizing or high-spirited, down-to-earth or downright spooky, the music captured on this CD is some of the most captivating and beautiful that I have experienced in some time. It is next to impossible to pick out favorites among the pieces as I hear something completely new each time I give this disc a listen.

This CD is a joint project of the National Museum of the American Indian and the Smithsonian Institution. The music was for the most part, recorded "in the field" by ethnomusicologists and folklorists from all parts of the Americas. As one might expect, the accompanying notes are extensive and informative, scholarly yet comprehensible, and help to provide the listener with clear contextual background about the music, the various types of violins and other instruments played, and the people who play them. The notes, which include bibliographical references, a discography and videography help to promote the sense that this CD is an important document. Any way one approaches it, Wood That Sings contains some lovely and captivating listening.  
 
Highly recommended.

 


 *♥*

 

21.5.15

Waila! ...don't stop dancing!

 
Waila!
2005
 
Tracks:

Tracks 1-4 are performed by El Conjunto Murrietta

01. La Sanja - "The Ditch" (3:02)
02. El Caballito Bronco - "Little Wild Pony" (2:40)
03. Y Cantatumbas - "Tumblings" (3:12)
04. Lucila (6:38)

Tracks 5-11 are performed by Mike Enis and Company

05. Agnes Polka (2:19)
06. Soy Norteño (3:09)
07. Cholla Polka (3:19)
08. Mesquite Polka (3:07)
09. Enis Special (1:59)
10. O'Dam-Cho - Two-Step (2:03)
11. To-Hono Polka - "Far Away" (2:26)

Tracks 12-17 are performed by Los Papagos Molinas

12. Tengo Mieto - Polka (2:28)
13. Tohono Chote - Chote (3:26)
14. Buttermilk - Polka (2:25)
15. Pisinimo Chote - Chote (2:43)
16. Winston Polka - Polka (2:47)
17. Hochude Waila - "Lizard Dance" Polka (2:40)

Tracks 18-23 are performed by Elvin Kelly y Los Reyes

18. Chen Wen Wen Chona - Polka (2:54)
19. La Zapateada - Redova (2:12)
20. Ester - Polka (3:03)
21. La Pipla - Chote (1:58)
22. El Gallo - Guaracha (3:03)
23. Ojos Peludo - Polka (2:40)

Total Time: 67:55

♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•☆♫

.ღ•:*´♥`*:•ღ. 

♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•☆♫`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•☆♫

Originally released in 1972, these are the legendary first two recordings of waila, the energetic social dance music of the Native American peoples of the southern Arizona desert. Also referred to as "chicken scratch", the vibrant melodies of saxophone, accordion, and electric guitar glide across the solid backbeat of bass and drums performing polkas, schottisches, and mazurkas. This newly remastered collection brings together classic recordings of this musical hybrid rooted in the contacts between European immigrants and the Tohono O'odham peoples.

***

Some of the craziest, most infectious high-energy dance music of the Southwest is waila, sometimes called “chicken scratch,” created and perfected by the Tohono O’odham tribe (formerly called Papago) of southern Arizona.

There’s even a Waila Festival that takes place every May at the University of Arizona in Tucson.

Canyon Records, that venerated purveyor of American Indian music both traditional and contemporary, recently re-released four of its classic 1970s waila albums on two CDs.

Waila! consists of the groundbreaking Chicken Scratch! (featuring two bands, El Conjunto Murietta and Mike Enis & Company) and its sequel, Chicken Scratch with Elvin Kelly y Los Reyes & Los Papagos Molinas. Both were originally released in 1972.

Then there’s The American Indians Play Waila, which consists of the first two albums by the Tohono O’odham band called The American Indians.

Waila — a word that comes from the Spanish baile (dance) — is predominantly instrumental music in which the lead instruments typically are the saxophone and accordion. At least since the rock ’n’ roll era, waila bands usually also include electric guitar, electric bass, and drums.

The history of waila is one of those tales of cultural cross-pollination that make America great. When German immigrants moved to Texas and introduced the accordion to the Mexicans already living there, the resulting proto-Tex-Mex sound swept the American Southwest (and northern Mexico, for that matter).

Tohono O’odham musicians, who had been introduced to European instruments by Catholic missionaries, took up the new sound, though the accordion wouldn’t become a staple in Tohono O’odham dance bands until the last half of the 20th century.

According to the Waila! liner notes, until the late ’40s, the typical band consisted of a fiddle, an acoustic guitar, bass drum, and snare drum. Sax and accordion came later — as did the wah-wah pedal, which American Indian John Manuel hooked up to his accordion in 1976 to produce some otherworldly sounds.

The nearby Pima tribe also embraced waila. Most of Los Reyes’ members, for example, are Pimas.

The songs come from old tribal melodies, Mexican songs, and European sources. Waila bands play a number of styles — polka, mazurka (originally a Polish folk-dance style), chote (a form of the German schottisches), and Mexican cumbia.

On some recordings, the guitars seem just slightly out of tune and the drums just a little clunky. I’m not sure if this is done intentionally, but the effect gives the music a strong DIY edge, an aura of roughness that distinguishes it from some of the squeaky-clean, overly precious polka records out there.
 

and get your own copy of the record

again here :-)

 


Rain Dance



20.5.15

"Waila! Making The People Happy"


  
  
  
"Waila! Making The People Happy"
 
Documental:
Waila Music
Chicken Scratch 
Música del desierto norte SonorArizona 

 A Daniel Golding Film
When filmmaker Daniel Golding, a member of the Quechan Indian Tribe, set out to capture the essence of waila (pronounced "why-la") the social dance music of the Tohono O'odham (Desert People) of Arizona and Sonora, Mexico, he focused on the Joaquin Brothers and their descendants who live in Florence Village, Covered Wells and villages across the Tohono O'odham Nation.

 Waila, the contemporary dance music of southern Arizona's tribal communities, is often called "chicken scratch." Played at tribal functions, this fun, lively music offers relief from the hardships of reservation life. Waila! Making the People Happy explores the history of the music and looks at the Joaquin's, a family of musicians, and their journey from a remote tribal village to performing at Carnegie Hall.

 The Joaquin Brothers play at a 1963 prom at St. John's Indian School, a boarding school in Laveen, just south of Phoenix. The band members (from left) are brothers Daniel Joaquin, Fernando Joaquin and Angelo Joaquin Sr.


***

History of the Waila

Waila is the O'odham word for dance and refers to the social dance music rooted in the desert of southern Arizona.   Previously known as the Papago or Pima Indians, the O’odham comprise two main groups: Tohono O’odham or Desert People and the Akimel O'odham or River People.  Originating in the south with the Tohono O'odham and thenSaxaphone spreading north to the Akimal O'odham, Waila music is now considered the traditional social dance music of the O'odham. Pronounced why-la, it is a hybrid of popular European polka and waltzes with a variety of Mexican influences mixed in. It originated in the 1800's and comes from the word "baile" which is Spanish for "dance".

Waila bands are made up of an accordion, alto saxophone, electric six-string, bass guitar, and drums and play all-night feasts.  Waila performances traditionally last from sundown to sunup without the musicians repeating a tune.  The music is often performed at weddings, birthdays, feasts and other celebrations.  Dancers move counter-clockwise around the dance floor doing a waila, also known as "chicken scratch".   It began as acoustic Tohono O'odham music and absorbed the influences of German immigrants, Spanish missionaries, and Norteño music.

The dances that accompany this music tradition are also a blend European influence with a Native mix. There are five common styles: 1) the waila, which is like a polka dance, 2) the chote (comes from a folk dance from Scotland or Germany), 3) the mazurka (a Polish folk dance), 4) the watersaw (redowa or redova - a Bohemian dance in three quarter time, an older form) and 5) the newest form, the cumbia (which originates from Colombia but came to the AccordionO'odham via Mexico).  O'odham dance waila in ways that connect with older ceremonial music and dance traditions in addition to long-standing cultural values.  Dancers move with a smooth gliding motion using more of a walking-step instead of the hopping steps associated with vigorous European polka-dancing. The O'odham way seems designed to conserve energy when dancing in the blazing sun or in the lingering evening heat of the desert.

The Cisco Band and the Joaquin Brothers are two legendary bands in the history of Waila. Waila has always been viewed as “traditional” music of the O'odham despite using instrumentation of European origin. Often Waila dances are held in conjunction with ceremonial dances, both finding their proper places at the important gathering of the Tohono O'odham.

The basic rhythmic scheme behind the music is solid and simple. There are no showy flashy improvisational guitar or lead instrument solos just the driving drums, bass and guitar chop behind a lively and simplistic melody often with a close harmony played by the other lead instruments either another saxophone or the accordion.


source


19.5.15

Shuffle your feet to the beat: Waila!

 
The Cisco Band
and
The Joaquin Brothers
  
Popular Dance Music Of The Natives Of Southern Arizona 
2009

Tracks:

Tracks 1-12 were recorded and originally released in 1975 as Canyon Records LP 
The Cisco Band - Popular Dance Music of the Indians of Southern Arizona.
Francis “Cisco” Enriquez (saxophone), Marvin Enis (accordion and guitar), David Narcho (drums), Frank Joaquin (guitar), and Leroy Martinez (bass Guitar).

01. Mountain Chair (2:27)
02. Where Were You Last Night? (3:43)
03. Love My Life (3:28)
04. Why Not? (3:17)
05. Marsa (3:16)
06. How About Queen's Well? (3:31)
07. Trophy (3:32)    
08. Did You See? (2:42)
09. Felipe (3:24)
10. Who Knows? (4:10)
11. Like It Was (2:21)
12. I Remember (3:21)


Tracks 13-24 were recorded and originally released in 1975 as Canyon Records LP  
The Joaquin Brothers Play Polkas and Chotis.
Daniel Joaquin (saxophone & accordion), Fernando Joaquin (saxophone), Leonard Joaquin (bass Guitar), Angelo Joaquin (guitar) and Jerome Joaquin (guitar).
 


13. La Pachuca Polka (2:00)
14. Hohokam Choti (2:01)
15. Hohokam Polka (2:45)
16. You Are My Sunshine Polka (2:01)
17. El Changolaso Choti (2:22)
18. Estamos En Texas Polka (2:29)
19. No Sabemos Polka (2:31)
20. El Ebanto Choti (1:42)
21. La Pecosita Polka (2:30)
22. Never On Sunday Polka (2:02)
23. Corazon Corbarde Polka (2:33)
24. La Mañana Choti (2:21)


Total Time: 68:12

♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•☆♫

.ღ•:*´♥`*:•ღ. 

♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•☆♫`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•☆♫

 The Cisco Band and the Joaquin Brothers are two legendary bands in the history of Waila, popularly known as "Chicken Scratch". The energetic dance music of the Native peoples of southern Arizona, Waila features the intertwining melodies of saxophone and accordion propelled by the rhythms of guitar, bass and drums. Playing the Polkas and Two-Steps that are hallmarks of the Scratch sound, these two renowned bands exemplify this innovative confluence of music from Tohono O'odham and European culture.

The third installment in the Canyon Waila Classics series. Features the digitally remastered debut recordings from two of Waila's most legendary bands. Shuffle your feet to the beat of the Joaquin Brothers' You Are My Sunshine Polka.

***
  
 The Origins Of Waila

Written by Jamison Mahto, Spirit Bear Productions
     
Tonight I ride with Canyon Records release of The Origins of Waila loaded to the I-pod and it’s perfect for the ride through downtown as Hennepin Avenue is an ocean of motion. A river of people on the street looking for the dream that lies hidden in the yearning eyes of the street corner preachers and poets on a Saturday night and I’m riding toward the light of the dance hall for a night full of legendary flirtations and mythical surprise. And I think of Sandy.

The Cisco Band and the Joaquin Brothers are two legendary bands in the history of Waila, popularly known as ‘Chicken Scratch’. The energetic dance music of the Native peoples of southern Arizona.

Waila has always been viewed as “traditional” music of the Tohono O'odham despite using instrumentation of European origin. Often Waila dances are held in conjunction with ceremonial dances, both finding their proper places at the important gathering of the Tohono O'odham.

The first half of this CD features 12 lively and up-tempo songs by The Cisco Band consisting of Francis “Cisco” Enriquez (saxophone), Marvin Enis (accordion and guitar), David Narcho (drums), Frank Joaquin (guitar), and Leroy Martinez (bass Guitar).
...

The Cisco Band plays a style reminiscent of every polka band that I’ve ever heard, not that I’ve actually listened to that many, but I have some experience with two step waltzing and polka’s from elementary school.

The basic rhythmic scheme behind the music is solid and simple. There are no showy flashy improvisational guitar or lead instrument solos just the driving drums bass and guitar chop behind a lively and again simplistic melody often with a close harmony played by the other lead instruments either another saxophone or the accordion. The norteno influence is clearly evident.

The second half of the CD is 12 songs by The Joaquin Brothers featuring Daniel Joaquin (saxophone & accordion) Fernando Joaquin (saxophone), Leonard Joaquin (bass Guitar), Angelo Joaquin (guitar) and Jerome Joaquin (guitar).
 ...

There seems to be a closer connection with the Norteno style of music in this band’s material and it sounds more traditional as indicated by the fact that most of the titles are in Spanish slang lingo.

Two songs, Hohokam Choti and Hohokam Polka, refer to an ancient paleo-Indian culture. Hohokam (ho-ho-KAHM) is one of the four major prehistoric archaeological traditions of what is now the American Southwest. Hohokam is a Pima (O’odham) word used by archaeologists to identify a group of people that lived in the Sonoran Desert of North America.  The two saxophones trade licks on the verses, play harmony on the choruses.

There is nothing maudlin or grief-stricken about this music. This is a real good time. I never thought I would listen to Polka and like it. It must be a sign that I'm getting older. This is back in the day when things were simpler. This sound is the sound of home and I ride with it in my head and my heart. Now if only my legs would cooperate.

Sandy loved to schottische. Oh she knew how to polka waltz and mazurka but the schottische was Sandy’s move.  Sometimes we go in a horrible stupid accident or degenerative debilitating disease, yet the end is always sudden.  The thing that I understand is that there are lots of polka bands and they don’t do no ballet in heaven and Sandy schottisches around in the clouds right now with the fire still burning brightly behind those eyes and a smile. Hey, Sandy save the next one for me.


 and get your own copy:


 

18.5.15

Everybody dance now: ¡Waila!

 
The American Indians
Play Waila 
2006

Tracks:

Tracks 1-12 were recorded and originally released in 1974 as Canyon Records LP "The American Indians Play Chicken Scratch", C -6120. Performed by: Alex Gomez (sax), Justin Francisco (sax), John Manuel (accordion), Clarence Flores (drums), Celestine Flores (drums), Jerry Flores (guitar), Simon Cruz (bass guitar).

01. Cactus Song (3:42)
02. Coolidge Two-Step (3:39)
03. John Special (2:49)
04. Come Home Tonight (2:38)
05. Pisinimo Polka (2:08)
06. El Capitan (3:03)
07. Palo Verde Stands (2:31)
08. Blackwater Polka (2:53)
09. The Sunset (2:48)
10. San Xavier Polka (2:38)
11. Topawa Two-Step (2:40)
12. Desert Polka (3:21)

Tracks 13-24 were recorded and originally released in 1976 as Canyon Records LP "Waila ­ Social Dance Music: The American Indians Album 2", C-6155. Performed by: John Manuel (accordion), Justin Francisco (alto saxophone), Simon A. Cruz (bass guitar), Jerry Flores (guitar), Clarence Flores (drums), Celestine Flores (drums).

13. Eloy Two-Step (3:19)
14. E.M.C. Two-Step (2:44)
15. Taverna (3:02)
16. Oh My Darling Clementine (2:13)
17. Arrowhead Two-Step (4:03)
18. Fernando Polka (3:02)
19. J's Tune (1:43)
20. Old Timer Two-Step (3:17)
21. Cry Babe (4:15)
22. White Dove Polka (3:45)
23. Song From Way Back (3:17)
24. Coolidge Polka (2:19)
  
♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•☆♫

.ღ•:*´♥`*:•ღ. 

♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•☆♫`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•☆♫
 
This collection brings together two classic recordings by The American Indians, one of the most innovative bands in the saga of waila, the lively social dance music of southern Arizona's Native peoples. Also known as chicken scratch, waila features the intricately intertwined melodies of saxophone and accordion propelled by the rhythms of guitar, bass, and drums playing polkas, two-steps, and cumbias. While staying true to the traditions of waila, The American Indians played with a highly original flare making them legends of chicken scratch.

Reviews:

The hybrid American Indian musical form known officially as waila and to its friends as chicken scratch combines Latin cumbia rhythms and German-Mexican polkas and two-steps in an irresistible and unique style. This twofer collects many of the best known songs of one of the form's most inventive outfits, the American Indians, whose ingenious interpretations of the genre have made them legendary. - Allmusic

***

Quick--name several traditional Native American instruments, Drums, flutes, rattles, gourds, even the voices of singers would probably appear on most people's lists. Yet, The American Indians Play Waila, a recent release from Canyon Records, features saxophones, accordions, guitars in its renditions of the traditional Native music of the Southwest. Waila, a popular musical genre among the Native people of Southwest Arizona, reflects the Spanish influence on indigenous residents of the region. With its lively, energetic combination of high-volume sounds, waila inspires listeners to participate in social dances. Polka, Two-Step, and other styles of social dancing blend into fun, when played waila-style. Frequently referred to as Chicken Scratch, waila crosses genres and generation. As a result, waila has gathered fans from a wide variety of age groups, tribal affiliations and dance styles. This cd celebrates the many facets of waila. The American Indians Play Waila shares the talents of these Tohono O'odham (Papago) musicians. The band plays and composes waila tunes, which demonstrate the artists' passion for this music. Standout songs include, Come Home Tonight, Song from Way Back and Old-Timer Two-Step. Dancers will enjoy the variety of two-steps and polkas. These include Arrowhead Two-Step, Desert Polkas, and White Dove Polka. The American Indians Play Waila provides more than an hour of upbeat musical fun, that can be enjoyed by anyone who likes to dance. --By Dawn Karima Pettigrew - Whispering Wind / Issue #257 / Vol 37 #1
 
***

The social dance music of the Tohono O'odham reservation in western Arizona - Waila, or Chicken Scratch - owes more to the polkas, schottisches, and mazurkas of Europe and the Norteno music of Mexico, with whom the reservation shares a 60-mile boundary, than to the sounds of Native America. Recorded in the 1970's The American Indians Play Waila, and Waila, featuring tunes by El Conjunto Murrietta, Mike Ennis and Company, Los Papagos Molinas, and Elvin Kelly y Los Reyes, provide an introduction to this accordion-dominated Lawrence Welk-meets-Flaco Jimenez sound. --By CHa - Dirty Linen-Folk & World Music / November 2006
 
***

We weren't hip to it at the time, but was Ry Cooder aware of 'chicken scratch' when he named his Chicken Skin band? I wonder. Two great albums recorded by the American Indians group in 1974 and 1976, and reissued here on a single CD as The American Indians Play Waila date from around the same period as Cooder's band. Canyon only recorded their first waila/ chicken scratch album in 1972 although this Tohono O'odham (Papago) social dance form from southern Arizona had been around since the late 19th century. The music has very strong links to the Spanish/ German sounds of border music and Tex-Mex. Originally the bands consisted of fiddles and stringed instruments, but accordeons were soon adopted and by the 1950's, bands were adding saxophone as a lead as well. This is rocking, driving instrumental dance music from a basic line-up of accordeon, sax, electric guitar and bass, and two drummers. The band had an innovation of putting a wah-wah pedal on the accordeon (check tunes like Cry Babe) and the two drummers specialised in different rhythms (chotis and polkas). But this wasn't the Greatful Dead - this was dance music! (But it does have good sleevenotes.) --By Phil Wilson - fRoots - Local Music From Out There / Aug. '08

***

Everybody dance now: A review of The American Indians Play Waila
News From Indian Country
              
Quick – name several traditional Native American instruments. Drums, flutes, rattles, gourds, even the voices of singers would probably appear on most people’s lists. Yet, The American Indians Play Waila, a recent release from Canyon Records, features saxophones, accordions, and guitars in its renditions of the traditional Native music of the Southwest.

Waila, a popular musical genre among the Native people of Southwest Arizona, reflects the Spanish influence on Indigenous residents of the region. With its lively, energetic combination of high-volume sounds, waila inspires listeners to participate in social dances. Polka, Two-Step, and other styles of social dancing blend into fun, when played waila-style.

Frequently referred to as “chicken scratch,” waila crosses genres and generations. As a result, waila has gathered fans from a wide variety of age groups, tribal affiliations and dance styles. This CD celebrates the many facets of waila.

The American Indians Play Waila shares the talents of these Tohono O’odham (Papago) musicians. The band plays and composes waila tunes, which demonstrate the artists’ passion for this music.

Standout songs include “Come Home Tonight,” “Song from Way Back,” and “Old-Timer Two-Step.”

Dancers will enjoy the variety of two-steps and polkas. These include “Arrowhead Two-Step,” “Desert Polka,” and “White Dove Polka.” The American Indians Play Waila provides more than an hour of upbeat musical fun, that can be enjoyed by anyone who likes to dance.
by Dawn Karima Pettigrew

and get the CD 






17.5.15

One of the sweetest musics I've been listening to in a long time :-)

 
Gu-Achi Fiddlers
Old Time 
O'odham Fiddle Music
1997

Tracks:

01. Ali Oidak Polka (3:18)    
02. Bareterro Two-Step(3:03)    
03. Black Mountain Mazurka (3:51)    
04. Blackie Polka (4:05)    
05. Sonora Church Two-Step (4:18)    
06. Hohokam Polka (3:13)    
07. Libby Bird Song Mazurka (4:08)    
08. Memories in Ajo Polka (3:37)    
09. Pinto Beans Two-Step (3:28)    
10. E.J. Special Polka (3:29)    
11. Cababie Two-Step (3:19)    
12. Dawn Mazurka (3:15)
   
Personnel:
  

Elliot Johnson - fiddle
Lester Vavages - fiddle
Wilfred Mendoza - guitar
Gerald Leos Senior - snare drum
Tommy Lopez - bass drum
 
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 From Liner Notes:

"This is the first commercial recording of one of Southern Arizona's most unique instrumental traditions - the fiddle band music of the Tohono O'odham ("The Desert People"), formerly known as the Papago. The O'odham fiddle sound is unique in that it is produced by two violins, a guitar, a snare drum and a bass drum playing polkas, two-steps and mazurkas.

Utilizing instruments originally introduced by Spanish missionaries, the fiddle band sound is highly unique utilizing violins, guitar, and drums playing polkas, two-steps, and mazurkas. The result is an exciting sound and one of Southern Arizona's richest musical traditions.

malarz says:

"Many years ago I began my search for just this musical style along with its partner chicken scratch. Found it on cassette and am happy that its been re-released on cd. I truly can saw I love the music, the tunes, the playing, the slightly off-tuning of the violins. Nothing wild nor crazy nor genre-bending but just a wonderful document of a lovely music by musicians who play with an understated and relaxed attitude. Oh yeah, did I say lovely?"

***

Album Review by Six Water Grog:

I recently happened upon a recording of fiddle-based music called The Gu-Achi Fiddlers, Old Time O'odham Fiddle Music, Volume 1. It is available on Canyon Records, a small label devoted to Native American music. Despite a cover photo which makes it look much older, I believe this music was recorded in the 1980’s so the audio quality is much better than one might expect.

The Gu-Achi Fiddlers hailed from the Southern Arizona town of Gu-Achi in the Sonora desert. They belonged to the Tohono O'odham Nation, formerly known as the Papago. They were led by two fiddlers, Elliot Johnson and Lester Vavages, and backed up by Gerald Leos Sr. (snare drum), Tommy Lopez (bass drum) and Wilfred Mendoza (guitar). All of those guys play on this release.

The music here is a melting pot of Native American, Mexican and European styles: schottisches, polkas, two-steps and mazurkas filtered through the indigenous melodies of the O'odham. The fiddle tradition of Southern Arizona dates back to the days of Spanish colonization, when Catholic missionaries introduced the Native American Papagos to their European instruments and tunes. The Papagos quickly adopted the instruments and absorbed the rhythms, giving birth to a form of old-time fiddle music that is uniquely Southwestern, a tradition that has survived until today.

There is a refreshingly un-polished energy to this “scratchy” and slightly out of tune music...the players rely more on attitude and enthusiasm than any sort of technical virtuosity. It turns out this is a style of music I had been wanting to hear, I just didn’t know it until I heard it! Not quite polka in the German sense, not quite Mexican, and definitely not the same as old-time Appalachian fiddle music. I encourage anyone with an interest in traditional or indigenous music to check this out. It’s guaranteed to put you in good spirits! (If you are a musician try playing some of these tunes - you'll love 'em!)


*** 

Alicia Karen Elkins writes:

Old Time O'odham Fiddle Music is the first commercial recording of the fiddle music of this Southern Arizona tribe, the Tohono O'odham ("The Desert People"), who were formerly known as the Papago. It was originally released on cassette in 1988, but this is the first time it has been released on CD. If you like fiddle music, order a copy right away!

Catholic Spanish missionaries first taught these Native Americans to play European instruments so they could perform at mass. The Papagos quickly incorporated the instruments into all their music. The music here is produced with two fiddles, one guitar, a snare drum and a bass drum.

In the mid-1800s, new dances and rhythms made their way to the Tohono O'odham. Among them were the polka, mazurka, schottische and quadrille. Some communities added the native traditional melodies for the Pascola and the Matachines, ritual dances of the Yaqui of the Sonora, Mexico region. The European dances and rhythms were undergoing radical changes in the hands of the indigenous peoples.

Over time, the fiddle music began to die away. Fewer and fewer young people cared to learn the art. But in 1984, a new contest started, the All O'odham Fiddle Orchestra Contest. Interest in this lost art was renewed and it has been making a slow comeback. There is a strong effort to preserve this historical music style for future generations.

The Gu-Achi Fiddlers are named after the town of Gu-Achi in Southern Arizona where they reside. The band is Gerald Leos Sr. (snare drum), Lester Vavages (fiddle), Tommy Lopez (bass drum), Wilfred Mendoza (guitar) and Elliot Johnson (fiddle).

Selections on this CD include "Ali Oidak Polka," "Bareterro Two-Step," "Black Mountain Mazurka," "Blackie Polka," "Sonora Church Two-Step," "Hohokam Polka," "Libby Bird Song Mazurka," "Pinto Beans Two-Step," "Cababie Two-Step" and "Dawn Mazurka."

Every tune on this CD is a knockout! 

It had me on my feet dancing during the first few measures and kept me moving through every tune. It is beautiful music with a fast beat and lots of lively movement. It is distinctly Spanish in origin, but with characteristics of its own. This is fiddling at its best. There is no way to select a favorite from these tunes. All are fabulous dance pieces!

This is a must-have for any Native American music collection. It is a unique sound that will quickly embed itself in any fiddle lover's heart!


***

   
Shlomo Pestcoe writes:

The Tohono O’odham are the largest Amerindian nation in the state of Arizona. Tohono O’odham  means “Desert People” in the Uto-Aztecan language of the O’odham, a reference to their homeland in the Sonoran Desert regions of southern Arizona and the northern Mexican state of Sonora. They were dubbed the Papago (Papahvi-o-otam, literally, “Bean People” in the language of the neighboring Akimel O’odham [Pima] who are closely related to the Tohono O’odham) by Father Eusebio Francisco Kino (1645-1711), the famed Jesuit missionary/cartographer/astronomer/explorer, who established the first missions in the region in 1686. In 1986, the tribal government legally replaced the sobriquet “Papago Indians” — long considered to be derogatory– with the term Tohono O’odham as the official name for this First Nation.

The O’odham fiddle tradition of stretches back to the earliest days of Spanish colonization. Catholic missionaries introduced European string instruments into the region for use in church services.

In the mid-19th century, Tohono O’odham fiddlers picked up the latest “pop” dance music forms to come over from Europe– the waltz, polka, mazurka, etc.– and adapted them to fit their musical culture. The music they created was dubbed “waila,” (pronounced “wy-lah”) which comes from the Spanish word baile (lit. “dance”).

Waila fiddle bands provided the music for religious festivals, community celebrations and social dancing until the 1950s, when the fiddle was overshadowed by the button accordion and saxophone.  This was result of the pervasive influence of norteño music from Northern Mexico, in which the 3-row diatonic button accordion and the alto sax are the main lead instruments. A new O’odham style featuring those instruments emerged called chicken scratch, a reference to a traditional Tohono O’odham dance in which dancers kick their heels high in the air like chickens scratching. Today, the terms waila and chicken scratch are interchangeable and are both synonymous for contemporary O’odham vernacular social dance music.


read Rod Stradling  


and nothing left for me to say but:
 
listen, listen
and get your copy


 ~♥~

if I say sweet I'm talking about mountain honey and not white sugar ;-)

11.5.15

Wang Wang Blues Harp


HARMONICA BLUES
Great Harmonica Performances of the 1920s & 30s
1976

Tracks:

01. Railroad Blues - Freeman Stowers
02. Crazy About You - State Street Boys
03. Wang Wang Harmonica Blues - Carver Boys
04. My Driving Wheel - Lee Brown
05. Bay Rum Blues - Ashley & Foster
06. I'm Going To Write & Tell Mother - Robert Hill
07. Blowin' The Blues - Chuck Darling
08. Harmonica Rag - Chuck Darling
09. Man Trouble Blues - Jaybird Coleman
10. I Want You By My Side - Jazz Gillum
11. Friday Moan Blues - Alfred Lewis
12. House Snake Blues - Chicken Wilson & Skeeter Hinton
13. Need More Blues - Bobby Leecan & Robert Cooksey
14. Davidson County Blues - De Ford Bailey

♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•☆♫

.ღ•:*´♥`*:•ღ. 

♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•☆♫`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•☆♫
 

It is not difficult to imagine why the harmonica should have been a favorite among bluesmen; its price, portability and loud volume made it ideal for them. Moreover, the harmonica was perhaps the best suited of all blues instruments to imitate and exaggerate the sound of the human voice. It could produce glissandos and vibratos that even a bottleneck guitarist would have been hard put to duplicate.

 Harmonica
French Harp, Blues Harp, Mouth Organ

The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country music, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes (reed chambers) or multiple holes. The pressure caused by blowing or drawing air into the reed chambers causes a reed or multiple reeds to vibrate up and down creating sound. Each chamber has multiple, variable-tuned brass or bronze reeds, which are secured at one end and loose on the other end, with the loose end vibrating and creating sound.

Reeds are pre-tuned to individual tones, and each tone is determined according to the size of reed. Longer reeds make deep, low sounds and short reeds make higher-pitched sounds. On certain types of harmonica the pre-tuned reed can be changed (bending a note) to another note by redirecting air flow into the chamber. There are many types of harmonicas, including diatonic, chromatic, tremolo, orchestral, and bass versions...

...wiki

 Harmonica Blues

Although the harmonica was present in many pre-war recordings, it became a dominant force in the 1950's, when it was amplified by the likes of Big Walter Horton, Little Walter and Snooky Pryor. As such many players and fans seem to think that blues harmonica began with Little Walter and are unaware of the rich early tradition of harmonica recordings. In the early days harmonica soloists were common who played now forgotten pieces like train imitations and set pieces like Lost John, Fox Chase, Mama Blues and other call-and-response pieces that featured the harmonica over the voice, if the voice was used at all. We hear many of these players on today's program including DeFord Bailey, George "Bullet" Williams, William McCoy, Alfred Lewis and Sonny Terry. We also feature early harmonica/vocalists like Daddy Stovepipe, Jaybird Coleman and Jazz Gillum. In addition we hear some great accompanists like Rhythm Willie, Robert Cooksey and Blues Birdhead. There were also play tracks by several notable harmonica players who worked in jug bands like Noah Lewis, Jed Davenport and Eddie Mapp. It was John Lee "Sonny Boy" Williamson who defined the language of modern blues harmonica playing...

...source & more


4.4.15

You can't go wrong if you play it right...

 
Octa Clark & Hector Duhon
Old Time Cajun Music
1992

Tracks:

A1. Bosco Stomp    
A2. Valse A Deux Temps    
A3. J'ai Ete Au Bal Hier Au Soir    
A4. La Valse Soleil Couche    
A5. Polka A Ma Vielle Tante
    Written-By – Octa Clark
A6. La Vielle Valse De Musicien
    Written-By – Octa Clark
A7. Les Cocombres Sont Pas Sales
    Written-By – Octa Clark

B1. Jolie Blonde    
B2. Creole Twist
    Written-By – Octa Clark
B3. Ton Petite Bec Est Doux    
B4. Le Reve Du Soulard    
B5. Freight Train Blues    
B6. La Valse Criminelle

Bonus:

14. Çajun Hot Shoe
15. Vals Laçatin
16. Cher Alice
17. Tite Fille Two Step
Personnel:
 Accordion, Vocals – Octa Clark
Fiddle – Hector Duhon
Guitar – Michael Doucet
♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•☆♫

.ღ•:*´♥`*:•ღ. 

♫☆`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•☆♫`*♥¸¸.•*¨*•☆♫
  
 For most of their lives, the musical souls of Cajun musicians Octa Clark, accordion, and Hector Duhon, fiddle, were inseparable. In 1928, the two formed a friendship that would last a lifetime, beginning with house dances and resuming again with a later incarnation of the Dixie Ramblers with Duhon's son Bessyl in the 50's. Later, after Bessyl left, the two older gents still played regularly, mainly at Mulate's and occasional festivals. In 1981, Arhoolie's Chris Strachwitz was the first to record the two legends accompanied by Michael Doucet on guitar at Doucet's home. The beauty of this recording is that it's an accurate representation of what a trio playing informally indoors sounds like. The sound is flat, no extra embellishments, which explains why Clark's accordion playing is much more audible than Duhon and Doucet combined.

It's also apparent why Duhon considered his friend one of the best accordion players he had played with. Even at the ripe young age of then 77, Clark's straight-on playing never wavers, maintaining a clean, flowing consistency while each note exudes a tremendous air of confidence. When he belts out an 'a-I-e-e-e,' it's a powerful release of cutting, joyful emotion. A couple of other tunes ("Creole Twist," "Cajun Hot Shoe") showcase his amazing ability to not only play quickly but maintain masterful control of the accordion's funky, offsetting bass notes old-time Cajun music is known for. Of the 17 tracks here, 13 are from the original LP recording including Clark's old world-style polka, "Polka a Ma Vielle Tante." The last four tracks were also recorded that day but are released here for the first time. Throughout his life, Clark was known for saying, "You can't go wrong if you play it right." - Dan Willging

source

    
   
Artist Biography by Richie Unterberger

Singer/accordionist Octa Clark (b. 1904) and fiddler Hector Duhon (b. 1915) began playing together in the late 1920s. Duhon recorded for a while as part of the Dixie Ramblers, and after the group disbanded, remained active playing neighborhood dances with Clark. Both were senior citizens by the time they made their debut album as a duo for Arhoolie in 1981, with Michael Doucet playing guitar and writing the liner notes. Playing typical waltzes and dance tunes of the Cajun region, they also recorded an album for Rounder. Clark died in 1998.
***

By Melody Sokolow

I consider myself quite an avid listener (and dancer) of Cajun music, for years now....This CD is hard to beat for the purest example of this gorgeous art form. I picked it up yesterday, for the first time, and it brought me to tears. These men work together in a way that just brings the house down. Skilled artists, performing a time-honored tradition. Sensitive, poignant music - every song is a pleasure.....
***
  
By R. Webb

Old time Cajun music is right, and these two old pros Octa Clark & Hector Duhon knew exactly how to play it right, as Octa always said it "you can't go wrong if you play it right", Clark rocks on accordion & vocals, Duhon is sure-fire on fiddle, also filling in the gaps on guitar is Michael Doucet. The traditional sound of this genre is the best and without hesitation I'd rank this recording on top with the likes of The Balfa Brothers, Iry LeJeune, Nathan Abshire etc...Clark and Duhon recorded this album, their first in 1981, the original recording is thirteen tracks, the last four on this disc were added and recorded in the same time frame at Doucet's home in Lafayette,La...The Arhoolie co. seems to be fairly consistent in releasing rare and "old timey" recordings, similar to Smithsonian Folkways, the audio is excellent including a few liner notes by guitarist Michael Doucet. Take my advice, don't miss this one baby, you're liable to miss the train.
  
***

By Tacitus Bond
Having been raised in Cajun country with many of my childhood friends speaking Cajun French this music is in my blood. I do not like much of the modern "Cajun" music, so this album is a trip back to my child hood. These two are some of the greatest accordion and fiddle players of all time.
***