Ry Cooder and the wonderful Chicken Skin Band turn in a truly classic performance at an Old Grey Whistle Test recording from Shepherds Bush Television Theatre in 1977. Cooder has always had a special knack for finding new depths in familiar songs, and ‘He’ll Have to Go’, originally a hit for Jim Reeves and written by Joe and Audrey Allison, is a case in point. Changing the rhythm and phrasing, in a Norteno style with the fabulous Flaco Jimenez on accordion, Cooder delivers the standout version of the song, also recorded by Elvis Presley in what is reputed to be his last studio recording.
Full band lineup: Guitar, Vocals – Ry Cooder, Alto Saxophone – Pat Rizzo, Drums – Isaac Garcia, Bass – Henry ‘Big Red’ Ojeda, Bajo Sexto – Jesse Poncé, Accordion – Flaco Jimenez, Vocals – Eldridge King, Terry Evans, Bobby King.
Ry Cooder occupies a very special place in the canon of Americana, as an instrumentalist, songwriter, collaborator across many genres and interpreter of American traditional music. A highly rated guitarist, especially on slide where he is undoubtedly one of the world’s best, Cooder also excels on mandolin. He first emerged…
As a young bluegrass player, Ricky Skaggs was part of the group of musicians that included Tony Rice, Jerry Douglas, and Sam Bush who kept the bluegrass fires burning in the ‘70s. Though he definitely had the chops, Skaggs’ take on bluegrass always followed more of a traditional line than…
In his long and illustrious career Ry Cooder has cut out a unique niche with his reinterpretations of American blues and roots music, and never to greater effect than on his 1979 release 'Bop Till You Drop', his eighth solo album. The album was also a trailblazer, as the first…
Long time fan of Americana genre, from early days of Ry Cooder, through to today's thriving scene. Regular visitor to USA ( Nashville/Austin/Memphis/LA ) live music junkie, I play guitar, mandolin, harmonica, plus vocals, run monthly jam session in Broadstairs
This brings back memories – absolutely love this version of a classic song. Jiminez’s accordion just lifts it into a different realm, a universe away from Jim Reeves.
This brings back memories – absolutely love this version of a classic song. Jiminez’s accordion just lifts it into a different realm, a universe away from Jim Reeves.