A visual storytelling celebration of American roots music in its rich
variety through unseen and newly scanned photographs by the founder of
the legendary Arhoolie Records.
Founded in 1960 by Chris Strachwitz, the one-man operation Arhoolie
Records eventually produced more than four hundred albums during more
than forty years in operation, exploring the far corners of American
vernacular music--blues, gospel, Cajun, zydeco, hillbilly, Texas-Mexican
norteño music, and more.
From the very beginning, Strachwitz brought his camera along with
recording equipment as he met and recorded now-legendary artists such as
Lightnin' Hopkins, Mississippi Fred McDowell, Clifton Chenier, and Big
Joe Williams. This book collects more than 150 of his best, most
intimate, and exciting images--many never-before-seen--each with rich
captions by Strachwitz and award-winning music journalist Joel Selvin,
along with a substantial 20,000-word essay by Selvin about Arhoolie,
Strachwitz, and the music.
INTIMATE AND AMAZING PHOTOGRAPHS: Although Strachwitz would always
self-deprecatingly claim that the photographs he took while meeting and
recording musicians were strictly documentary, and *maybe* of some use
for a record sleeve later, they are much more than that. Lyrical,
candid, real: His rapport with the musicians and their families is
glowing and evident in these photographs.
RIVETING MUSIC HISTORY PHOTO BOOK: These are never-before-seen photos,
and photos like you've never seen before. Every image is from freshly
remastered scans, and the authors dove deep into the Arhoolie archives
to uncover images almost no one has had the chance to see.
CRUCIAL AMERICAN MUSIC AND CULTURAL HISTORY: Strachwitz's wide-ranging
interest and unbridled enthusiasm for all sorts of roots music led to
his crisscrossing the country from artist to artist based on
recommendations, rumor, tips, radio broadcasts--the result being a
portrait (in sound for the label, and image in this book) of vital
American music in a wide range of genres. He has rich stories for each
photograph and artist.
AN INVALUABLE DOCUMENT: Arhoolie fundamentally shaped our understanding
of American music. Renowned music writer Joel Selvin has not only worked
with Strachwitz to draw out the stories behind the photographs, but he
has contributed an invaluable long-form essay about Arhoolie,
Strachwitz, and the label's cultural legacy to anchor this incredible
book.
Perfect for:
- Fans of American roots music, including the blues, folk, Cajun,
Creole, zydeco, Mexican American border music, and more
- Fans of Lightnin' Hopkins, Mississippi Fred McDowell, Big Mama
Thornton, Lydia Mendoza, Clifton Chenier, Flaco Jiménez, Mance
Lipscomb, Narciso Martínez, Big Joe Williams, and the other fantastic
artists whose records Arhoolie released over the years
- Birthday, holiday, graduation, or anytime gift for musicians and music
lovers
- Collectors of music history, American cultural history, Black history,
and music photography books
