Les Blank/Chris Strachwitz “Roots” Music series
Picture: C+
Sound: C+ Extras: B- Films: B
Two DVDs from Brazos Films offer very authentic and
inarguable looks at two sets of lesser-heard and known music genres. Jai Eté Au Bal (I Went To The Dance,
1989) deals with the origins of both Cajun & Zydeco music, while Chulas
Fronteras (Beautiful Borders, 1979) and Del Mero Corazon (Straight
From the Heart, 1994) are two shorter films on one DVD that deals with Tex-Mex
and its beginnings. Instead of the
outright readerly documentary we are used to, footage is not quite as linear or
“voice of God”. There are advantages
and disadvantages to that, but it might be hard at first for viewers to get the
hang of.
The films are exceptionally nuanced, packed with rare
piece after rare piece. This is a very
important, vital set of films about the kind of music that always runs the risk
of being lost or even forgotten. The
filmmakers have forged an excellent record of where Cajun (a sort of
French-influenced Country/Folk), Zydeco (French-influenced Blues), Tex-Mex and
Norteno (Chicano/Latino) genres. We
also hear about Polka and its German origins affected the music and it
growth. This is so painstakingly done
as to be remarkable. I wish more music
genres got such thorough treatment.
Directors Les Blank and Chris Strachwitz (joined by
Maureen Gosling on Jai Eté) are very thorough in covering al the angles
and talking to as many of the people as they can to have a permanent record of
all the history and connections that make that history and this music
possible. The approach can be
disorienting at first, but it works, even if you turn out not to like the
genres discussed. They also participate
in all the audio commentaries that appear on every film. Other extras on each DVD include a
30-minutes-long “Lost & Found” section, why the films were made, reviews
and honors, stills, detailed scene information, and text on the directors. Usually, scene selection is listed
erroneously as an extra, but it actually applies here, where each chapter has a
few sentences of explanation and an illustration. That may take up more room and require more text frames, also
making it harder to locate chapters, but this works far better in the long run
for the kind of valuable material on both DVDs.
All films are full frame 1.33 X 1 filmed program with
Dolby Digital 2.0 sound, which is simple stereo at best, but usually
monophonic. They are above average
overall, but show their age a bit, though the newer materials look a bit better. Both DVDs are worth catching and even
collecting.
- Nicholas Sheffo
