This Ain’t No Mouse Music!

This double-CD box set is the soundtrack to a feature-length documentary, This Ain’t No Mouse Music!, documenting how Chris Strachwitz, now in his 80s, continues to passionately document American roots music via his label, Arhoolie Records. I’ve yet to see the film and this stunning compilation only heightens anticipation. Gathered here are historic recordings by the likes of Lydia Mendoza, Big Mama Thornton, Clifton Chenier and Louis Overstreet. But there are also recordings made during filming: Treme Brass Band, Savoy Family Band, Los Cenzontles, and an Appalachian old-time jam session, among others. A large booklet contains many photos and Strachwitz's comments on each recording, thus illuminating both the artists and the situations they were recorded in. Strachwitz favours in-concert and live-in-studio recordings and always captures very spontaneous, warm performances. The music is superb: New Orleans brass, Tex-Mex, bluegrass, gospel, dynamic Cajun and zydeco, mountain music and hillbilly boogie. Here is a treasure chest of American roots music and a great introduction to Arhoolie's catalogue. There's even a previously unreleased recording of Ry Cooder and Flaco Jimenez.