Ry Cooder has a unique and special place in the Americana realm, his reputation based on his consummate skills on guitar (especially slide, where many rate him among the world’s best) and mandolin, and as an arranger of roots and traditional music, from the USA and beyond. His musical legacy now spans five decades, 17 solo albums, as many collaborations again, including ‘Buena Vista Social Club’, and a similar number of movie soundtracks, most notably for Wim Wenders’ ‘Paris, Texas’. Continue reading “Classic Americana Albums: Ry Cooder “Into The Purple Valley” (Warner, 1972)”
Tag: Ry Cooder
“What Is This Americana Thing Anyway…?” – Gordon Sharpe
You lucky people: whilst we are all (hopefully) self-isolating – watch how quickly that comment dates – you will have plenty of time to read the latest instalment of “What Is This Americana Thing Anyway” in which our writers and contributors tell us what, why and where they got into Americana. This week top bloke and diamond geezer Gordon (Not A Moron) Sharpe steers into his choices via a jazz route, which is refreshingly different, and tells us of his love for the smaller venue. Continue reading ““What Is This Americana Thing Anyway…?” – Gordon Sharpe”
“What Is This Americana Thing Anyway…?” – Martin Johnson
Here we are again folks with another eagerly anticipated contribution to our semi-regular “What Is This…?” feature. This time around Martin Johnson reveals his (what we can only surmise are) hippy roots in the North East of England and the shocking fact that he is not, in fact, an ex-England rugby captain: Continue reading ““What Is This Americana Thing Anyway…?” – Martin Johnson”
Prodigal Son Ry Cooder returns – other son highly irritated
‘The Prodigal Son’ is Ry Cooder’s first new solo release in six years, due for release by Fantasy Records on May 11th, 2018 (you can listen to the lead track, ‘Shrinking Man’ below). Recorded in Hollywood and produced by Cooder and his chief collaborator, drummer Joachim Cooder, the album’s 11 tracks, includes three Cooder originals along with a collection of his favourite spirituals of the last century. Continue reading “Prodigal Son Ry Cooder returns – other son highly irritated”