In Ry Cooder's world, music isn't a commodity but a force, a voice with a set of values that comes from the bottom up rather than the top down. Placed in a live setting, the venerable Californian guitarist's vernacular approach is a mix of grit and grace. He's not interested in smooth reproduction. Between Cooder, his fine band and his enthusiastic audience, they seek to create a moment particular to that place and time (August 31st to September 1st, 2011). So the combination of Sam the Sham's novelty hit Wooly Bully and Woody Guthrie's Vigilante Man makes perfect sense on the night. So does Cooder's use of Mexican brass, Flaco Jimenez's thrilling accordion and the sweet harmonies of Terry Evans and Arnold McCuller. Songs are pulled from his back catalogue with a few new tunes thrown in.
If you like Ry Cooder, you'll like this. nonesuch.com

Download: Vigilante Man, Boomer's Story