If you listen to the likes like Ry Cooder you are probably of a certain age. Which means you have a trained sense for beauty and authenticity. Which is what Ry Cooder is all about. The beauty of music and the authenticity of the presentation. I love the story that he once told in an interview that the biggest part of his job is to meet old blues people and learn their songs by playing with them on their front porch. And exactly that is what „The Prodigal Son“ is all about – his latest release. His eclectic mix of traditional songs with newly written ones sets the stage for a really satisfying, unique and even mind and spirit lifting listening experience. Because even if you just listen on the side this music gives you a sense of realness.
Cooder plays most of the instruments himself, mostly only accompanied by his son Joachim on the drums and a group of fine black background singers – including the late Terry Evans. The main thing on this record is the virtuosity with which Ry Cooder plays all instruments having strings – of course guitars, mandolins, mandolas, slide guitars … you name it. With this he creates a sound that you won’t hear so often these days – a sound that grounds your soul.
And don’t get me wrong: we’re not talking old fashioned songs for old farts.
We’re talking songs that have a relevance like „Gentrification“ – a song that is told out of the perspective of someone who lives in a run down apartment center of town. He is curious about all these new neighbours and wonders about their habits: „The Google People drink so much coffee they might even drown.“ Sometimes the most revealing things come around the corner in a very profane way. This song is also a perfect example of the art of Ry Cooder: Here he uses modern sampling combined with storytelling and traditional song writing – with the unique outcome that is the Ry Cooder Trademark.
You will listen to classic acoustic Blues in „I´ll Be Rested When The Roll Is Called“, a romantic musical meditation on “Harbor Of Love”, funky gospel on “Everybody Ought To Treat A Stranger Right” and swing your hips on „In His Care“. All presented in not so often heard anymore virtuosity. You will grab your heart and almost start to cry because of the beauty of „You Must Unload“.
Most of all you will spend your time with a listening experience that will last. This is more than you hope to expect these days
