America works its best when the melting pot spills out new hybrids. The American experience filtered through local cultures and customs that add to a new and rich whole. A few weeks ago I wrote about "The Steppers Set":http://mog.com/Cody_B/blog_post/118688 in Chicago, and how they created a new dance style and set of soul music standards out of the disco scene. The Steppers are a symbol of the rising black middle class in Chicago coming together through dance, music, and sartorial splendor. Before our country was overrun by the economies of scale model practiced by the national chains, the uniqueness of each local scene was easier to spot. Unfortunately, though, along with coffee shops, local markets, and pharmacies, many of the local music scenes have long since died out…Like Jazz in Newark, Detroit, and Kansas City or Soul in Memphis, Miami, and Chicago, consolidation has homogenized just about everything. As an East Coaster, I don’t say this much, but, for a vibrant, unique, local scene, the Los Angeles Latino community has a whole lot going for it.The Lowrider , Zoot Suit, and gang cultures of LA have been documented in movies like "Zoot Suit":http://media.www.dailytarheel.com/media/storage/paper885/news/2002/10/30/Arts/zoot-Suit.Celebrates.Latino.Culture-1350881.shtml and "Bound By Honor":http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_in_Blood_Out, and a common thread that runs through these films is how Latinos integrated into the American whole. Racism, strong connections to mother countries, and a desire to be a part of their new country or to at least gain respect, made for some interesting cultural hybrids. Zoot Suit is about real events (the Zoot Suit riots) that occurred with “gangs” in the 40’s. For the Latino’s adopting the dress of Harlem jazz cats from the 30’s was a way to fit in..to shed the overalls of their laborer roots. The Latinos also prized another ultra-American symbol..The car. LA’s white Americans were not amused, and the riots depicted in the movie, involve a white sailor being supposedly murdered by a zoot suited gang member (pachuco) and retaliations that came after that. Early on, Zoot Suit folks found clothes and cars were not the measure of freedom and acceptance, but they became symbols of those exact traits nonetheless.
As the jazz of the 30’s and 40’s gave way to rhythm and blues of the 50’s and 60’s and zoot suits faded out of style, LA Latinos started to amass a library of tunes, crucial to their culture. The majority are ballads that seem to fit the So Cal vibe: perfect for lounging in the park or cruising in a classic automobile. Many were the catalyst for bands like Los lobos and War to start playing. Some of these tunes were massive national hits, but some of these records created local heroes barely known outside of LA.
Brenton Wood was from the LA area and he did score on the national charts with Gimmie A Little Sign, but to the lowrider set he’s the king, and though his tracks came out in the 60’s, he still performs today.The original oldies DJ, Art Laboe, helped popularize many of these tunes and a gross of them have been collected on the 12 volumes of the East Side Story series, which I recommend to anyone interested in digging into this sub culture or building a diverse R&B collection. Short, sweet songs that that bring a little sunshine. Check out those films, too.There are tons of socio-political-economic-racial issues at play here, but really I’m just recognizing the group of songs that have come to be associated with the scene and the rich culture they come from. When the local flavor rises to this level it tamps down the cynicism I normally feel about the American experience. I hope we don’t lose this good thing we’ve got..
Check comments for more tuneage
Just to confuse things (or possibly help explain),I was gonna go into another Latino sub culture in LA..The Morrissey phenomenon (Chuck Klosterman did a Spin piece in ’03), but I’ll just leave you this anonymous quote from a blog and hope someone else takes this on..The reasons Latinos listen to Moz 1. We are sentimental and have huge hearts.2. Chicanos/Latinos continue to be marginalized in American society, therefore leading to isolation and depression.3. Due to cultural differences between American and Mexican/Latino culture creates this sense of not belonging or for that matter "maladjusted."4. When people question the Latino fan base,they are implying that we, Latinos should not be listening to Moz. That my friends is racism, but I do not blame them because society itself is racist. What are Latinos expected to listen to in American society that continues to oppress and marginalize?5. Weren't Chicanos the first greasers? The term greaser meant dirty mexican, coined by the white man.6. Know your history before you get on websites making comments as to why Latinos listen to Moz, who pimp out their cars, say "ese" and get tattoos in old english, AARON.7. Liberate your thinking
Comments (26)
East Coast Rules.
I read the Kolosterman piece. I told my wife about and she said, "You kidding, Right?" Wierd phenom.
Wood is good but what are the other tracks in your first comment.
Barbara Lewis-Hello Stranger
Bloodstone- Natural High
Escorts - Look Over Your Shoulder
Thanks for coming back Chris..
One good turn, yada, yada, yada.
My pleasure.