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Music News Ry Cooder Competition Winners Friday, August 01, 2008
Thank you to all those who entered our Ry Cooder competition. The winners (chosen at random) and recipients of the new album I Flathead are:
NICK HOUEN
‘The Tattler’ – Paradise & Lunch
I really love “Tattler” from Paradise and Lunch - jangly Stratocaster tones embroider a lovely melody with terrific finger picking harmonies with rich sonorous backing harmonies and Ry Cooder’s heart-felt vocals - an irresistible tune. “True love can be such a sweet harmony if you do the best that you can”.
ANDREAS KONIG
Ry Cooder & Ali Farka Toure – ‘Ai Du’
The first time I ever heard this track (foreign movie, I think?), I began to understand the relevance and how influential roots music has with most genres. The feel, mood and precision played on this track will move most people, even my 8 yo daughter asks to play it again and again, nodding her head!
I encourage any music enthusiast to listen to the haunting sounds played by Ry Cooder together with Ali Farka and hear for themselves, how spell binding roots music can be and touch even the fussiest music enthusiast.
DES VERNON
‘Boomer’s Story’
Ry Cooder, 'The Man', has so many tracks that could be my favourite, but I keep harking back to 'Boomer Story,' from the same name album that for me, is the quintessential Ry Cooder, strong distinctive voice and lyrics and such great guitar work that is 'instantly recognisable' anywhere.
MICHAEL CONNORS
‘Crazy ‘Bout An Automobile’
‘Crazy 'Bout An Automobile’ has got a great groove, awesome vocals &
harmonies, a smack of humour, and the classic trademark Ry Cooder guitar
licks. Yep, definitely one of my favorites and brings back some great memories!
DAVID YOUNG
‘All Shook Up’
My favourite Ry Cooder track is the Otis Blackwell/Elvis Presley written ‘ALL SHOOK UP’ from the very under-rated GET RHYTHM album (I believe if this was re-released it would be a top seller - with many young fans discovering Ry for the first time!!) The obvious fun had by everyone is shown- the way the song is ‘Cooderized’ - the beat- the vocals-Ry’s guitar - Jim Keltner’s drumming all add up to make this a classic song on a wonderful CD.
EGON SEDER
‘Poor Man’s Shangri La’ - Chavez Ravine
Opening track to a poignant story.Successfully sets the scene, defining the ethnic, socio cultural setting. Sentimentally defines the significance of that place and time. Ry’s signature all over this track, sets the tension for what follows. More than a good song, it is a good opening chapter.
BEN RISH
‘Billy the Kid’ from Into the Purple Valley
Unhip amongst early 70’s glitter/fusion, “ITPY” is an eclectic gem that inspired yours truly (and probably many others) to learn guitar. Instrumentation and sound were great throughout but on “Billy the Kid” Ry only needed mandolin, foot-taps and slide guitar to propel his happiest vocal and storyline ever.
JOHN WATERHOUSE
We’ll Never Turn Back – Mavis Staples
My favourite Ry Cooder track would, in fact, be his work as producer on Mavis Staples outstanding album of civil rights songs. As a teacher who covers the BCRM each year, I have been able to use many of the tracks in the classroom. But it is clear that Ry had a major impact in preparing these recordings, his ‘footprint’ is clearly on most of the songs, to their betterment. What a challenge – to take classic folksongs and improve them. Clearly a man of impeccable musical taste, discipline and respect!
NANCY TRATTLER
‘Diddy Wah Diddy’
There are so many Ry Cooder songs I love, but for today my favorite is ‘Diddy Wah Diddy.’ I love the humour and the gospel feel of this song - it brings back the days when I used to go to church as a child, especially the part about the Amen Corner It's also got that mysterious side to it: Won't somebody tell me - what Diddy Wah Diddy means!
BERNARD MARTIN
‘Jesus on the Mainline’ from Show Time.
This was legendary to me - an introduction to Ry and long sought-after in original format as I only had a fair cassette copy.
It was especially wonderful seeing Ry's infectiously exuberant performance on GTK on a smallish B&W TV...
(My real Favourite was a fabulous performance of ‘One Meat Ball’ at the Dallas Brooks Hall - but you can't hear that!)
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