Chris Strachwitz has died at 91

[rostasi]

Well, this hits hard for me because I've been a fan of his work for a very long time.

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/chris-strachwitz-arhoolie-records-founder-dead-obituary-1234730941/

[John L]

It hits hard for me too.  I grew up in Berkeley and knew him personally.  He was a very special and generous person.  His contributions to documenting American roots music were also immense.

RIP

[medjuck]

I only met him once. A lovely man. 

[Big Beat Steve]

Hats off for making a LOT of otherwise overlooked "special-interest" music available again.
HIs releases on Arhoolie, Folklyric and Old Timey did a lot to advance my awareness and knowledge of Western Swing, Cajun and Norteno music - in my early collecting days, in particular.

Another era ended and another page turned ...

RIP

Edited May 7, 2023 by Big Beat Steve

[Rabshakeh]

The records that Arhoolie put out were huge for me. RIP. 

[mikeweil]

R.I.P.

I hope hios collection is preserved. The many reissues I have from this music are so important!

[Joe]

Thank you for the music, Mr. Strachwitz. What a legacy!

[JSngry]

Smiley Winters!!! 

[rostasi]

[BFrank]

I met him a couple of times, but have friends who knew him pretty well.

RIP, Sir.

[Michael]

Ninety one years is a long run and I reckon he spent most of that life doing something he loved.   That's a fine example for us all.  I'll dig out some Arhoolie vinyl and spin it tonight.  Maybe some Bongo Joe or some Juke Boy Bonner....

RIP Mr. Strachwitz

 

[soulpope]

R.I.P  ....

[soulpope]

Blind James Campbell  "The Moon May Rise In Blood" ....

 

[soulpope]

William Eason "Franklin D. Roosevelt, A Poor Man's Friend" (Arhoolie)    1993 .... 

 

[GA Russell]

From 1971, I think.

 

[clifford_thornton]

On 5/7/2023 at 4:40 PM, JSngry said:

Smiley Winters!!! 

Absolutely!

So many greats on Arhoolie and related sub-labels. He really did a service.

[AllenLowe]

to me his most amazing discovery was Mance Lipscomb, who was one of the most  important vernacular musicians of the century

[medjuck]

8 hours ago, soulpope said:

William Eason "Franklin D. Roosevelt, A Poor Man's Friend" (Arhoolie)    1993 .... 

 

IIRC "sacred steel" was his  great passion when I met him. 

[clifford_thornton]

Yes! Those Lipscomb records are fantastic. The Les Blank film is unreal as well.

Edited May 9, 2023 by clifford_thornton

[Big Beat Steve]

Did any of you see "Chulas Fronteras"?

[clifford_thornton]

On 5/8/2023 at 6:58 AM, Michael said:

Maybe some Bongo Joe

 

incredible record

[Tom 1960]

Any thoughts on the 40th anniversary box collection?

[Rabshakeh]

12 hours ago, soulpope said:

Blind James Campbell  "The Moon May Rise In Blood" ....

 

This one is such an excellent record. I'd forgotten it completely. So raw.

[clifford_thornton]

I've never thought about this really, but how does one correctly pronounce his last name? STRAHK-vits?

20 minutes ago, Rabshakeh said:

This one is such an excellent record. I'd forgotten it completely. So raw.

yeah, I haven't dug that out in many, many years. Will try to do so when I'm back home this weekend.

[Rabshakeh]

1 hour ago, clifford_thornton said:

I've never thought about this really, but how does one correctly pronounce his last name? STRAHK-vits?

That's pretty much how they pronounce it in the documentary.