Arhoolie Records Catalogs and Publications
The Arhoolie Foundation stems from the work of founder Chris Strachwitz and his seminal independent record label Arhoolie Records. In 1960, Strachwitz recorded Texas songster Mance Lipscomb for what was to become Arhoolie Records’ first album. Since then, he has devoted his life to recording and sharing regional music with a special emphasis on the genres of Blues, Cajun/Zydeco, and Tejano/Norteño. In 2016, Smithsonian Folkways acquired Arhoolie Records and continues to distribute the Arhoolie catalog worldwide.
One of the goals of the Arhoolie Foundation is to document the work of Chris Strachwitz, his record labels, and related projects. These catalogs detail the recordings made by Arhoolie Records, Blues Classics, Old Timey and other associated labels.
As of this date, only a few of these catalogs have been completely scanned, they are featured at the top.
Go to: Catalogs in Chronological order • Arhoolie LP & 45 Discographies • Arhoolie Ocassional / Lightning Express
Featured Catalogs.
Click on image to see the entire contents.
Arhoolie Records Catalogs in Chronological order
1961
8.5 X 3.5 inches.
6 fold out panels
Graphic design: Wayne Pope
The first Arhoolie Records catalog.
1964
12 fold out panels
8.5 X 3.5 inches.
Graphic design: Wayne Pope
click on image to view entire catalog
1966
8 fold out panels.
8.5 X 3.5 inches.
Graphic design: Wayne Pope
1966
12 fold out panels
8.5 X 3.5 inches.
Graphic design: Wayne Pope
1967
16 fold out panels
8.5 X 3.5 inches.
Graphic design: Wayne Pope
1968
24 pages. First saddle stitched (stapled) spine booklet catalog.
8.5 X 3.5 inches.
Graphic design: Wayne Pope
1970
24 pages.
8.5 X 3.5 inches.
Graphic design: Wayne Pope
1971
32 pages.
8.5 X 3.5 inches.
Graphic design: Wayne Pope
No year on cover.
1972
36 pages.
8.5 X 3.75 inches.
Graphic design: Wayne Pope
1974
48 pages.
8.5 X 3.75 inches.
Graphic design: Wayne Pope
1976
36 pages.
6 X 11 inches.
Graphic design: Wayne Pope
1978
52 pages.
8.5 X 5.5 inches.
Graphic design: Wayne Pope
1980/81
60 pages.
8.5 X 5.5 inches.
Graphic design: Wayne Pope
1983
68 pages.
8.5 X 5.5 inches.
Graphic design: Wayne Pope
1985
60 pages.
10.5 X 7.25 inches.
Graphic design: Wayne Pope
1987
64 pages.
10.5 X 8.25 inches.
Graphic design: Wayne Pope
1988
68 pages.
10.75 X 8.25 inches.
Graphic design: Wayne Pope
1989
76 pages.
10.75 X 8.25 inches.
Graphic design: Wayne Pope
1992
100 pages.
10.75 X 8.25 inches.
Graphic design: Wayne Pope
1995
116 pages.
11.5 X 8.25 inches.
Graphic design: Wayne Pope
1997
126 pages.
10.5 X 8.25 inches.
First catalog with a printed spine.
2000
140 pages.
8.5 X 5.5 inches.
Graphic Design: Morgan Dodge
2002
164 pages. 8.5 X 5.5 inches. Graphic Design: Morgan Dodge
2007
172 pages.
8.5 X 5.5 inches.
Graphic Design: Morgan Dodge
This catalog was never printed but was used to email to customers.
Click on images to view entire catalog.
After 2007 Arhoolie never published another detailed catalog.
Louisiana Cajun & Zydeco Music on Arhoolie Cassettes Vol. 1
Published C 1986
76 pages.
10.5 X 8 inches.
A supplement for the Arhoolie Cajun & Zydeco cassettes. Featuring liner notes, and song lyrics. Vol. 2 was never published.
Numerical catalogs and discographies.
Complete Numerical Catalog of Arhoolie LPs.
A listing of Arhoolie LPs with album covers, album titles, artists, and song titles. This listing is searchable. Click on image to view entire numerical
Complete Arhoolie Records 45rpm Discography by Tom Ball
This discography is the work of musician and author Tom Ball who the Arhoolie Foundation thanks for taking the time to document this part of the Arhoolie Records history. Click to image to view the discography.
The Arhoolie Occasional / The Lightning Express
In the early 1970s Arhoolie Records published a newspaper with articles, reprints of reviews, photos, and other information about the music and musicians on Arhoolie.
The Arhoolie Occasional Number 1
Published 1971
Editor: Chris Strachwitz
Graphic Design: Wayne Pope
The Arhoolie Occasional Number 2
Published 1973
Editor: Jim Blodgett, Joel Selvin
The Lightning Express
Incorporating the Arhoolie Occasional. No. 3
Published 1976
Editor: Hal Aigner
Cover Art: Robert Crumb
Layout: Bremm Lea Pearson.
