Mexico's Pioneer Mariachis, Vol. 1: Mariachi Coculense "Rodriguez" De Cirilo Marmolejo 1926-1936

Mariachi is a genre of regional Mexican music that dates from the 18th century. Originally considered a rural music, mariachi gradually evolved into an urban form. The musical style eventually began to take on national prominence in the first half of the 20th century with the introduction of records and radio. Early mariachi bands were composed of violins and guitars. Over time, bands added a horn instrument to the music; by the 1930s, they were including a trumpet in the stringed ensemble. Mariachi bands also began wearing charro outfits to identify with the music more closely. In 2011, mariachi was recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.

In 1993, Arhoolie Records issued several anthologies of early mariachi bands. Volume 1 features the music of Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo, a band that played and recorded in the 1920s and ʼ30s. In the 1920s, the band was invited to perform in Mexico City at political events and social affairs. This exposure led to their appearance in the U.S. at the 1933 World’s Fair in Chicago. They became the first mariachi to record in the U.S. (tracks 112, 113, and 114). The final four selections of volume 1 are recordings by Cuarteto Coculense, a mariachi band from the early 20th century.

Track Listing

101	El Toro (The Bull)	Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo	02:56
102	La Ensalada (The Salad)	Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo	03:11
103	El Gavilancillo (The Young Hawk)	Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo	02:55
104	Las Cuatro Milpas (Four Little Cornfields)	Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo	03:05
105	El Suchil (The Magnolia)	Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo	03:00
106	El Jilguerillo (The Goldfinch)	Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo	03:38
107	El Durazno (The Peach)	Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo	03:14
108	Mariquita (Dearest Mary)	Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo	02:58
109	El Cuervo (The Crow)	Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo	03:06
110	La Manzanita Tierna (The Unripe Apple)	Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo	03:18
111	La Chachalaca (The Chatter Bird)	Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo	03:06
112	La Pulquera (The Pulque Vendor)	Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo	03:22
113	La Canelera (The Cinnamon Vendor)	Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo	03:15
114	Blanca Palomita (The White Dove)	Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo	03:13
115	El Becerro (The Young Bull)	Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo	03:14
116	La Cantinera (The Barmaid)	Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo	03:04
117	Las Gaviotas (The Seagulls)	Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo	03:13
118	El Torero (The Bullfighter)	Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo	03:08
119	Lupita (Dearest Lupe)	Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo	03:06
120	El Enamorado (The Man In Love)	Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo	03:08
121	La Güerita (The Fair-Skinned Girl)	Mariachi Coculense de Cirilo Marmolejo	02:56
122	Las Abajeñas (The Lowland Girls)	Cuarteto Coculense	02:59
123	El Frijolito (The Beanstalk)	Cuarteto Coculense	03:12
124	El Tecolote (The Owl)	Cuarteto Coculense	03:38
125	La Malagueña (The Lady From Malaga, Spain)	Cuarteto Coculense	02:58