 |
| Raising a glass to slide guitar slasher deluxe Johnny Littlejohn with a few recordings and a 1968 interview with Chris Strachwitz. |
 |
| In the mid 50s, Freddy Fender – then Baldemar Huerta – cut a 4-song demo in hopes of getting a recording contract. Check it out. |
Here's the scoop...
This is an astonishing artifact that was at The Arhoolie Foundation for an unknown amount of time before a needle was ever dropped on it. One day, (Arhoolie Records owner) Chris Strachwitz and I were in the vault going through the shelves of 45’s that still needed digitizing while casually talking about small regional Texas labels that he liked. Throughout the vault were scattered stacks and boxes of 78’s and 45’s that were being spot-checked for their condition and cross-referenced in the database for missing catalog numbers. I, like many music lovers, have a habit of seeing a stack of records and immediately thumbing through them, while the weight of the records carefully rests on my belly. This particular acetate that I picked up was on top of a stack that had caught my eye and asked Chris about it. He looked over and stated he didn’t remember where he got it but confirmed that it was Freddy Fender. I ran upstairs and digitized it right away and was blown away by what I heard! Being a huge fan of Baldemar Huerta’s early rock and roll recordings with Falcon Records and Discos Ideal, I was left speechless. I continued to scan the label and digitize it and ran back to the vault to share the sound files with Chris. What this unique artifact ended up showcasing, was a 4 song acoustic demo that I suspect was cut to submit to either Falcon or Ideal Records around the mid-1950’s, however, I would love to know if anyone has further insight on this treasure!
Songs:
‘A Man Could Cry’
‘It’s Too Late To Remedy’
‘Louisiana Blues’
‘Pink Cadillac’
Listen to a special 2-hour instrumental episode of Raza, Accordions and Rock featuring gems from Arhoolie's Frontera Collection.
Here's the scoop...
Raza, Accordions, and Rock highlights a small portion of the Frontera Collection by carefully curating a 2-hour show using the music that is archived and sourced from the collection. The music played on this show will focus on the intersection of the African American diaspora, American Pop Culture, and the Mexican American experience through a musical lens. We’ll examine how R&B, Soul, and Rock existed in musical history of songs recorded and sung in Spanish or English and or a combination of both. ¡Vámonos Recio!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Welcome to a special episode of “Raza Accordions, and Rock” on dublab.com! Today, we invite you to join us on a unique journey as we delve into the enchanting world of instrumental songs from the Frontera Collection. In this episode, we’ll be taking you on a thrilling sonic adventure through the vast collection of instrumental tunes from the Frontera Collection. Brace yourself for a mesmerizing fusion of accordion sounds with rock sensibilities, as artists blend their unique styles to produce genre-defying masterpieces. Experience the soulful accordion melodies that evoke the spirit of traditional folk music, carrying the essence of cultural heritage within every note. And get ready to be electrified by the pulsating energy of electrifying rock instrumentals, resonating with the rebellious spirit of youth. “Raza Accordions, and Rock” aims to create a vibrant space where cultures intersect, and musical boundaries blur. From foot-tapping rhythms that transport you to the heart of fiestas to introspective instrumental rock tracks that inspire profound contemplation, this episode offers an auditory experience like no other. Tune in and immerse yourself in the timeless sounds of accordions and rock beats. Let the enchanting melodies and rhythms sweep you away into a world of musical brilliance that transcends language and connects us all through the power of instrumental music. Listen to the "Instrumentals" episode of “Raza Accordions, and Rock” on dublab.com right here. Check the tracklisting followed by Freddie Fender's psych-funk ripper "El Pastel" for San Antonio's Discos Dominante.
Instrumentals
 |
| Here's Del McCoury and his boys performing "Dreams" off his classic Del McCoury Sings Bluegrass album from 1968. |
 |
| You can get a vinyl reissue of Del McCoury Sings Bluegrass right here. |
