This video explores a disreputable but popular musical genre from the Dominican Republic. Bachata, which derives from Latin American traditions of guitar music, is commonly viewed as “vulgar” or “low class,” the “poor people’s music.” It is not featured on prime-time radio nor officially promoted, as is Merengue and Salsa, as the music of the Dominican Republic. Within the Latin music industry, Bachata has since its emergence in the Sixties always been considered music for a working-class audience, and is denigrated by mainstream media and musicians, as well as middle- and upper-class Dominicans, because its lyrics deal with alcoholism, marital infidelity, and macho behavior. Bachata musicians have developed their own system of producing and distributing their music, which is enormously popular both in the Dominican Republic and in Dominican communities in the U.S. The video features performances by leading Bachata musicians in the bars and clubs of New York City and Santo Domingo, plus commentary on the cultural importance of Bachata by Deborah Pacini Hernandez, author of Bachata: A Social History of a Dominican Popular Music. Directed by Giovanni Savino 2003, color, 60 mins. "...an informative, engaging, and professionally made film that explores with great insight and flair this unique musical genre that has taken the Latin music world by storm in the last decade." - Peter Manuel, author -"Caribbean Music From Rumba to Reggae" "...thorough, intelligent, and engaging...a joy to watch." - Paul Austerlitz, Brown University “...Recommended for its use as an example of the evolution of a musical genre. Bachata has grown from humble origins to become the second-most recognized musical genre from the Dominican Republic. The story of its roots and how it has assimilated other styles as it has grown in popularity (and the story of its distribution alone is of interest) makes it a model for musical and cultural study.”
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