Ry Cooder

Interview: Gaby Moreno on “Dusk” and Van Dyke Parks

March 5, 2024 Martin Johnson 2

It is time for americana to welcome more latin influence. Guatemalan artist and Los Angeles resident Gaby Moreno is on a mission to bring more of a latin influence to americana, building on the pioneering work […]

The Top 10 Greatest Ever Americana Artists: Paul Kerr

January 11, 2024 Paul Kerr 7

As has been mentioned many times before in this feature, there’s a conundrum at the heart of it. First off, what on earth is americana? Well, for this piece, it’s whatever I decide fits the bill. […]

VERSIONS: “Across The Borderline”

November 16, 2023 Richard Parkinson 3

‘Music by Ry Cooder’ was often an indicator that a film might be worth further investigation in the late 1970s through the 1980s in particular. One such was ‘The Border’, directed by Tony Richardson and starring […]

VERSIONS: “Get Rhythm”

October 20, 2023 Martin Johnson 2

Johnny Cash had originally wanted to record gospel songs for Sam Phillip’s Sun Records in Memphis but he only got a record contract when he came back with some rockabilly-style songs he had written. At the […]

Classic Clips: Ry Cooder, Ricky Skaggs and Sharon White “You Must Unload” – 3rd April 2016 at The Ryman

October 20, 2023 Martin Johnson 0

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 […]

Jenny Gillespie Mason “Medicine Of Light” – a healing balm

July 14, 2026 0

On her new album In the Safety of the Light, Jenny Gillespie Mason is turning back to her musical roots. After a decade pursuing psychedelic pop, jazz, and electronic textures through her project Sis (and most […]

Video: Alex Southey “Green Sunday” – a constant giving-in

July 14, 2026 0

Vancouver-born, Toronto-based singer-songwriter Alex Southey has released an absorbing new single. Green Sunday opens with gently insistent guitar before lush layers are introduced and, halfway through, percussion is ushered in, giving the song a greater urgency. […]

For The Sake Of The Song: Roger McGuinn “Car Phone”

July 13, 2026 3

Roger McGuinn has been a musical staple for as long as I can claim to have been making my own choices about what I listen to, through the Byrds and various attempts to put together three-letter […]