The Cisco Band and the Joaquin Brothers are two legendary bands in the history of Waila, popularly known as "Chicken Scratch". The energetic dance music of the Native peoples of southern Arizona, Waila features the intertwining melodies of saxophone and accordion propelled by the rhythms of guitar, bass and drums. Playing the Polkas and Two-Steps that are hallmarks of the Scratch sound, these two renowned bands exemplify this innovative confluence of music from Tohono O'odham and European culture.
TRACKS:
Click below to listen.
Tracks 1-12 were recorded and originally released in 1975 as Canyon Records LP The Cisco Band - Popular Dance Music of the Indians of Southern Arizona, (C-6138).
1. Mountain Chair (2:27)
2. Where Were You Last Night? (3:43)
3. Love My Life (3:28)
4. Why Not? (3:17)
5. Marsa (3:16)
6. How About Queenis Well? (3:31)
7. Trophy (3:32)
8. Did You See? (2:42)
9. Felipe (3:24)
10. Who Knows? (4:10)
11. Like It Was (2:21)
12. I Remember (3:21)
Tracks 13-24 were recorded and originally released in 1975 as Canyon Records LP The Joaquin Brothers Play Polkas and Chotis, (C-6139)
Originally released in 1972, these are the legendary first two recordings of waila, the energetic social dance music of the Native American peoples of the southern Arizona desert. Also referred to as "chicken scratch", the vibrant melodies of saxophone, accordion, and electric guitar glide across the solid backbeat of bass and drums performing polkas, schottisches, and mazurkas. This newly remastered collection brings together classic recordings of this musical hybrid rooted in the contacts between European immigrants and the Tohono O'odham peoples.
This collection brings together two classic recordings by The American Indians, one of the most innovative bands in the saga of waila, the lively social dance music of southern Arizona's Native peoples. Also known as "chicken scratch" waila features the intricately intertwined melodies of saxophone and accordion propelled by the rhythms of guitar, bass, and drums playing polkas, two-steps, and cumbias. While staying true to the traditions of waila, The American Indians played with a highly original flare making them legends of chicken scratch.
Waila is the social dance music of the Tohono O'odham ("Desert People") of the Sonoran desert. The world waila was derived from the Spanish word for dance (baile). Also known as "Chicken Scratch" waila music evolved from the earlier acoustic fiddle bands which adapted European and Mexican tunes heard in Northern Sonora. The music is most frequently hear on and near the Tohono O'odham, Gila River and Pima Salt River reservation of central and southern Arizona.
The Santa Rosa Band: Alfred Wood, Sr. (guitar), Byron Gregorio (saxophone), Francisco Valenzuela (accordian), Richard Lopez (drums), Homer Marks, Sr. (bass and percussion); with Sadie Marks (percussion).
Chicken Scratch is the social dance music of the Tohono O'odham ("Desert People"). Also known as waila music evolved from the earlier acoustic fiddle bands which adapted European and Mexican tunes heard in Northern Sonora. The music is most frequently hear on and near the Tohono O'odham, Gila River and Pima Salt River reservation of central and southern Arizona. Twelve popular Christmas carols are done in the happy go lucky chicken scratch style by one of the premiere bands of the Tohono O'odham.
