Author Description

Few Mexican Musicians In The Twentieth Century Achieved As Much Notoriety Or Had Such An International Impact As The Popular Singer And Songwriter Agustín Lara (1897-1970). Widely Known As El Flaco De Oro (the Golden Skinny), This Remarkably Thin Fellow Was Prolific Across The Genres Of Bolero, Ballad, And Folk. His Most Beloved Granada, A Song So Enduring That It Has Been Covered By The Likes Of Mario Lanza, Frank Sinatra, And Placido Domingo, Is Today A Standard In The Vocal Repertory. However, There Exists Very Little Biographical Literature On Lara In English. In Agustín Lara: A Cultural Biography, Author Andrew Wood's Informed And Informative Placement Of Lara's Work In A Broader Cultural Context Presents A Rich And Comprehensive Reading Of The Life Of This Significant Musical Figure. Lara's Career As A Media Celebrity As Well As Musician Provides An Excellent Window On Mexican Society In The Mid-twentieth Century And On Popular Culture In Latin America. Wood Also Delves Into Lara's Music Itself, Bringing To Light How The Composer's Work Unites A Number Of Important Currents In Latin Music Of His Day, Particularly The Bolero. With Close Musicological Focus And In-depth Cultural Analysis Riding Alongside The Biographical Narrative, Agustin Lara: A Cultural Biography Is A Welcome Read To Aficionados And Performers Of Latin American Musics, As Well As A Valuable Addition To The Study Of Modern Mexican Music And Latin American Popular Culture As A Whole.