Arhoolie blog!

[Baconwrapped]

The inimitable, irascible Chris Strachwitz -- founder-owner of the great Arhoolie Records, one of the preeminent ethnomusicologists and producers of the last 50 years and a great supporter of much Louisiana music -- is now blogging! And if you've ever encountered him, you know to expect quite opinionated posts:

http://chrisstrachwitz.blogspot.com/

should be fun!

Meanwhile, seems he's liquidating his Down Home Records store via eBay... so collectors take note.

[chopitulas]

Remember bumping into Chris at Jazz Fest in the early 90's. I do miss Down Home, the record store he was associated with in El Cerrito, one of the best for roots music I've ever been in, much like the Music Factory here. I guess it's still there...

Oh, I missed the part about him "liquidating" it. Guess it isn't there.

Aah... I see. In his blog, he says they are going thru tough times, as might be expected in the "record" business.

[duende]

Chris is a pillar, and a pill at times... but roots music fans owe him a debt of gratitude (and a few sheckels for his back catalog treasures!). I'm sure my zydeco opportunities would be about nill without those Clifton recordings paving the way to non-native audiences.

And I'm with him on the bass overload issue he rants about at the James Cotton revue in SF, but blaming the bass player was probably misplaced. Can we just stipulate that if the program involves roots music (or anything other than Galactic, Dumpstaphunk or other intentionally heavy funk, rock, blues or jazz) that the f'ing subwoofers get attenuated for the duration of the program? I've heard far too many shows ruined lately by excessive PA bass levels, completely out of context, and the truth is that the stage bass levels were probably completely in-line with comfort and idiom. Hey, that does feel better getting that off your chest! :)

[Jim]

Chris is a pillar, and a pill at times... but roots music fans owe him a debt of gratitude (and a few sheckels for his back catalog treasures!). I'm sure my zydeco opportunities would be about nill without those Clifton recordings paving the way to non-native audiences.

And I'm with him on the bass overload issue he rants about at the James Cotton revue in SF, but blaming the bass player was probably misplaced. Can we just stipulate that if the program involves roots music (or anything other than Galactic, Dumpstaphunk or other intentionally heavy funk, rock, blues or jazz) that the f'ing subwoofers get attenuated for the duration of the program? I've heard far too many shows ruined lately by excessive PA bass levels, completely out of context, and the truth is that the stage bass levels were probably completely in-line with comfort and idiom. Hey, that does feel better getting that off your chest! :)

I totally agree with you on too many shows with excessive PA bass levels. I don't understand how the person who is running the sound cannot hear how it drowns out the rest of the mix. Quite frankly, I find it to be a problem at many funk shows.

[NOLA]

And I'm with him on the bass overload issue he rants about at the James Cotton revue in SF, but blaming the bass player was probably misplaced. Can we just stipulate that if the program involves roots music (or anything other than Galactic, Dumpstaphunk or other intentionally heavy funk, rock, blues or jazz) that the f'ing subwoofers get attenuated for the duration of the program? I've heard far too many shows ruined lately by excessive PA bass levels, completely out of context, and the truth is that the stage bass levels were probably completely in-line with comfort and idiom. Hey, that does feel better getting that off your chest! :)

I totally agree with you on too many shows with excessive PA bass levels. I don't understand how the person who is running the sound cannot hear how it drowns out the rest of the mix. Quite frankly, I find it to be a problem at many funk shows.

AMEN!

[Baconwrapped]

Chris is still a JazzFest regular...

fyi, filmmaker Maureen Gosling, a long-time associate of Les Blank and Chris, is working on a documentary about him. Funding has been a problem, and contributions are welcome. More info about the project:

http://www.maureengosling.com/mouse/pages/about.html

[Dr. A.]

I have always stopped chris at jazzfest and asked what he was up to. A couple of years ago he told me he wasnt doing much of anything anymore, and stated "the record business is completely dead. we had 100 good years and that is more than enough".
i suspect to a large extent he is absoultely right.

[Baconwrapped]

I have always stopped chris at jazzfest and asked what he was up to. A couple of years ago he told me he wasnt doing much of anything anymore, and stated "the record business is completely dead. we had 100 good years and that is more than enough".
i suspect to a large extent he is absoultely right.

sounds like most of the conversations I've had with Chris over the last 15 years or so! ;)

[Orleansnj]

thanks for this post !

[Baconwrapped]

To clarify about the store, it's not really being liquidated, though Chris is selling off some of his own album collection. Anyway, this from the Down Home newsletter:

Newsletter #1
November 15, 2009

Hello to all the fans of Down Home Music!

After 33 1/3 years of bringing you the best in roots music we are still here and hope to continue to serve you better than ever! Part of our mission is to keep this wonderful music alive and to keep the discs spinning on your machines. With this email newsletter we will keep you informed about exciting new releases, old favorites, latest LP arrivals, great music books, live in-store performances and gatherings. Order anything you want by phone or email and we will ship your order promptly!

New Store Hours:
Mr. Chris, in his infinite madness, is attempting to rescue this fine long-standing institution by reorganizing store hours and other aspects. We are now open Thursday through Sunday only. The hours are: Thursday & Sunday 11-6 and Friday & Saturday 11-7. On Monday through Wednesday we may answer phone questions, emails, buy good collections of CDs & LPs, and maybe even answer a knock on the door.

Thanksgiving Hours:
We will be closed on Thanksgiving the 26th - BUT we will be open on Wednesday the 25th to serve you.

[Blitzzzzz]

Chris is still a JazzFest regular...

fyi, filmmaker Maureen Gosling, a long-time associate of Les Blank and Chris, is working on a documentary about him. Funding has been a problem, and contributions are welcome. More info about the project:

http://www.maureengosling.com/mouse/pages/about.html

Threadhead Films?:cool:

[Baconwrapped]

Threadhead Films?:cool:

Worth considering, but the costs might be on the high side, relative to that of making an album... and the chances of making it back much less, sad to say.