Mexico's Pioneer Mariachis, Vol. 3: Their First Recordings 1937-47

Mariachi Vargas De Tecalitlan | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 2, 1993)
• Original Release Date: 1937
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Arhoolie Records
• ASIN: B0000023TL
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #326,249 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #54 in Music > Indie Music > World Music > South & Central America

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning historic recordings of the most important Mariachi, May 13, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Mexico's Pioneer Mariachis, Vol. 3: Their First Recordings 1937-47 (Audio CD)

This CD is an indespensible treasure for enthusiasts who already know and love the Mariachi genre. Arhoolie Records are to be lauded for their loving restoration and issue of these recordings, originally released on now-rare '78s from the '30's and '40's. Mariachi Vargas are well-known as the greatest ensemble of the genre, but are also very important historically as the group who not only codified the contemporary instrumental line-up, but also popularized the genre internationally by appearing in hundreds of films from the classic Mexican studio era. These recordings are gems for those who are interested in hearing how Mariachi progressed from a regional phenomenon into one of the principle items of Mexican identity. Not recommended as an introduction to the genre (see Mariachi Cobre for that,) but rather as a supremely entertaining pleasure for those with ethnomusicological interst, long memories, or a general pre-existing love of this incredible music. As moving and poignent as it is fun.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a marvel !, February 19, 2001

By 

Alejandra Vernon "artist & illustrator" (Long Beach, California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mexico's Pioneer Mariachis, Vol. 3: Their First Recordings 1937-47 (Audio CD)

The back of this CD states: " Prior to this CD reissue, none of the recordings included here had been available since their original release on 78 rpm records, although some of the selections were later re-recorded by Mariachi Vargas. These performances are truly "missing links" in the history of recorded mariachi music and make available, for the first time in over half a century, documentation of the stylistic evolution of a musical tradition which has come to be considered the national musical symbol of Mexico".

These recordings from '37-'47 may sound "old", but the music is sensational. I love two tracks that are rather unusual: # 2, "El Tren", a son which duplicates the sound of a train on these instruments better than anyone could imagine, and # 15, "El Zopilote Mojado", an instrumental which is a very Spanish paso doble.

With this CD you get 70 minutes of great music, and one of the best packages I've ever seen. The booklet is marvelous, with an illuminating history of mariachi music by Jonathan Clark, the lyrics to 20 songs (4 tracks are instrumental) which also have English translations, as well as a brief story about each song...but the real treat is the center double page photo of this group circa 1945...like this CD, it's a gem.