The Folk Music of Mexico Record Album
The Folk Music of Mexico Record Album is a compilation of traditional Mexican folk music released in 1968. It features a wide variety of folk music styles from different regions of Mexico.
Introducing the Album
The Folk Music of Mexico Record Album was released in 1965 by Nonesuch Records. It features a variety of traditional Mexican folk songs, performed by a number of different artists.
The album was compiled and produced by Alan Lomax, who was one of the foremost authorities on folk music at the time. Lomax spent a great deal of time in Mexico during the 1950s and 1960s, collecting songs and recordings from a wide variety of different regions and groups.
The Folk Music of Mexico Record Album is a valuable document of the traditional music of Mexico, and it is still considered one of the best introductions to the subject.
The Songs
The Folk Music of Mexico is a record album consisting of field recordings of traditional Mexican songs made by Robert Garfias during the late 1950s. The album was released in 1963 by Folkways Records. It contains liner notes by Garfias and was reissued on CD in 2001 by Smithsonian Folkways.
“La Bamba”
“La Bamba” is a Mexican folk song, originally from the state of Veracruz, that has become a pop standard sung throughout the Spanish-speaking world. The song uses a style known as son jarocho and is sung in Spanish. It is also sometimes sung in English.
The best-known version of “La Bamba” was recorded by Ritchie Valens in 1958. Valens, a Mexican-American, was one of the first Latino musicians to cross over into the mainstream pop market. He died in a plane crash at the age of 17, but “La Bamba” remains one of his best-known songs.
Other artists who have recorded “La Bamba” include Los Lobos, Trini Lopez, beliefs, Tito Puente, and Sheila E. In 1987, Los Lobos released a version of the song that became a hit on both the Latin music charts and the mainstream pop charts. The band’s version won Grammy Awards for Best Mexican-American Performance and Best Pop Instrumental Performance.
“Cielito Lindo”
Cielito Lindo is one of Mexico’s best known folk songs. The name translates to “Pretty Little Sky” or “Lovely Little Sky”. It is a waltz-time ranchera, and was first published in 1882. The lyrics were written by Quirino Mendoza y Cortés, and the melody was composed by Juventino Rosas.
Cielito Lindo is about a young woman who is pining for her lover to return to her. The lyrics are written in Spanish, but there are also versions of the song that have been translated into English.
The song has been recorded by many artists, including Lola Beltrán, Javier Solís, Eugenia León, and Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán. In recent years, it has been used in a number of commercials, movies, and television shows.
“La Malagueña”
La Malagueña, also known as La Malagueña Salerosa, is a popular Mexican huapango song from the state of Veracruz. The original composer is unknown, but it is possible that the song dates back to the 19th century. The lyrics tell the story of a man who is trying to win the affections of a woman from Málaga, Spain.
The song became popular in Mexico in the 1930s and 1940s, and has been recorded by many artists over the years. In 1947, Mexican bandleader Antonio Aguilar released a version of La Malagueña that became one of the best-selling records in Mexican history. The song has also been adapted into other genres, including jazz and rock.
The Musicians
The Folk Music of Mexico was recorded by Charles L. Terry in 1939. The album features a number of traditional Mexican folk songs performed by a group of Mexican musicians. The musicians on the album include Jesus Perez, Antonio Romero, and Jose Lopez.
Lila Downs
Lila Downs (born September 9, 1968) is an American singer-songwriter of Mexican origin. She performs her own compositions with a unique mix of modern and traditional Mexican music. She also covers Mexican folklore and popular songs.
Born in Tlaxiaco, Oaxaca, Downs spent her first seven years in Juchitán de Zaragoza in Oaxaca before moving to Fairbanks, Alaska, with her mother Anita González for three years. After returning to Mexico, she went to the Universidad de las Américas Puebla (UDLAP) and studied anthropology. During that time she began working on an album with Paul Cohen, an American producer; the album was never completed due to artistic differences between the two. Nonetheless, a few of the album’s songs would eventually appear on her debut recording, Ofrenda (1992).
Mariachi Sol de Mexico
Mariachi Sol de Mexico is a Mexican folk music group from Jalisco, Mexico. The group was formed in 1987 by Jose Hernandez, and they have released sixteen studio albums. They are known for their traditional mariachi music, as well as their incorporation of other styles such as ranchera, pop, and even rock. Their most recent album, “Alegrias y Bailes,” was released in 2017.
The group has had several lineup changes over the years, but the current members are: Jose Hernandez (vocals, guitar), Jorge Martinez (guitar), Antonio Aguilar Jr. (guitar), Rodrigo Diaz (bass), and Luis Martinez (drums). Mariachi Sol de Mexico has toured extensively throughout Mexico and the United States, and they have performed at some of the most prestigious venues in the world, including Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center.
Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano
Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano is a Mexican folk music group formed in 1961 by musician Nati Cano. The band performs traditional mariachi music, as well as Cano’s original compositions. They have toured internationally and recorded several albums, including The Folk Music of Mexico (1964), The Best of Mariachi Los Camperos (1965), and Live at the New Laugh-In Club (1968). The group was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Folk Recording for their album MariachiLos Camperos de Nati Cano (1972).
The Legacy of Mexican Folk Music
Mexican folk music has been around for centuries and has been passed down from generation to generation. The music has been influenced by many different cultures, including the indigenous peoples of Mexico, the Spanish, and the North Americans. The music is an important part of Mexico’s heritage and is still enjoyed by many people today.
The influence of Mexican folk music on popular culture
Mexican folk music has had a significant influence on popular culture, both in Mexico and elsewhere. The most well-known example is the mariachi music of Mexico, which has become popularized in the United States and other countries. Other examples include norteño music, ranchera music, and Mexican rock.
The roots of Mexican folk music can be traced back to the indigenous peoples of Mexico, who developed their own musical traditions over centuries. These traditions were later adopted and adapted by the Spanish colonists who arrived in Mexico in the 16th century. Mexican folk music has continued to evolve over time, with various elements being added from other genres such as jazz, rock, and rap.
Today, Mexican folk music is enjoyed by people all over the world. It is often used in film and television soundtracks, advertisements, and video games. Many popular musicians have been influenced by Mexican folk music, including Carlos Santana, Julio Iglesias, Gloria Estefan, and Ricky Martin.
The resurgence of interest in Mexican folk music in the 21st century
In the early 21st century, there was a resurgence of interest in the folk music of Mexico. This was due in part to the increasing popularity of traditional Mexican music, as well as to the growing number of Mexican immigrants in the United States. The folk music of Mexico has its roots in the indigenous cultures of Mesoamerica, as well as in the Spanish and African traditions brought to the country by European settlers. Mexican folk music is characterized by its use of traditional instruments, such as guitars, violins, and marimbas, as well as by its often sentimental lyrics.
One of the most popular Mexican folk songs is “La Bamba,” which was originally sung by fishermen in Veracruz. The song became widely known in the United States after it was recorded by Ritchie Valens in 1958. “La Bamba” is now considered an iconic Mexican-American song, and it has been covered by many artists, including Los Lobos and Selena Quintanilla.
Another well-known Mexican folk song is “Cielito Lindo.” This song originated in Mexico City and tells the story of a young woman who is waiting for her lover to return from war. “Cielito Lindo” has been recorded by many artists, including Luis Miguel and Placido Domingo.
Other popular Mexican folk songs include “La Malagueña,” “Las Mañanitas,” and “La Paloma.” These songs are often played at fiestas and other celebrations.
