Nueva York

Tony Schwartz Nueva York: A Tape Documentary of Puerto Rican New York LP
(Folkways, 1956)

A great record on one of the greatest and most important record labels in the history of recorded music, Folkways Records and Service Corp. And as good as this record is, it is only one of many discs of this quality that Folkways put out. Intent on documenting folk culture in America, and throughout the world, many Folkway's records are field recordings. Here Folkways presents something a little different.

In 1948, Tony Schwartz started an eight year project, walking around the neighborhoods of New York City recording its Puerto Rican residents, as well as Anglos both sympathetic and hostile to their immigrant neighbors. Schwartz hit schools, bars, employment centers, government offices, and most off all the street. He edited his eight years worth of tape down to this single album. The result is fantastic.

I am giving you five tracks. I'd post every cut but lack of web space prevents me. Two cuts are some of my favorite bits on any record, the translations of the songs from the juke box. I think I paid $14 Canadian for this one and believe me it is worth every penny.

In New York (Juke Box Record Translation)
Food
Juke Box Record Translation
Dance
Children