Classic Clips: Ry Cooder “Little Sister” – Old Grey Whistle Test, London, 1982

Well, what can I say; joyous! Have you ever seen a band having more sheer fun on stage? Ry Cooder recorded Little Sister for his Bop Till You Drop album released in 1979, and demonstrates his infallible knack for breathing new life and new arrangements into familiar songs from the 1920’s to 1960’s, in this case a song best known for its version by Elvis Presley. Presley’s version is a straightforward rock’n’roll number, but Cooder’s version swings too; just listen to the interplay between Jim Keltner on drums, Chris Etheridge on bass and Baboo on percussion. Then, front and centre alongside Cooder, backing vocals from Bobby King, Pico Payne and Willie Greene, Jr. give the song its unique character, doo wop meets rock and roll and country soul, so sweet and super cool. And with Jim Dickinson on piano and Smitty Smith playing tasty fills on organ, Cooder has a world-class band on stage with him. It goes without saying that Cooder himself is in fine form, in his sweet spot for vocals, and great rhythm and lead guitar, all in a package of just 3.35 duration.

On a personal note, this track and album accompanied me hitch-hiking around Australia and New Zealand in 1984, having acquired a pirate copy on cassette in Bangkok earlier that year. By reputation, the pirated copies were on recycled computer tape, so higher spec than the factory versions, and almost indestructible, ideal for endless plays on a Walkman on the road! So, listening to this track always takes me back there…