Ry Cooder, Buena Vista Social Club (Nonesuch) 9+
Guitarist Ry Cooder is an enigmatic, mysterious figure. Beginning with Captain Beefheart's first record in 1966, he was a sessionman for Randy Newman, the Rolling Stones, Van Dyke Parks and Taj Mahal. He drifted through the 70s in a low key manner, ocassionally putting out bluesy albums. like
Paradise And Lunch, which also mixed in Tex-Mex, Hawaiian, gospel and soul. The 80s saw him concentrating on soundtrack work, the best of which was his score for Wim Wenders' Paris, Texas.
With Buena Vista Social Club, Cooder explored and fell in love with the old musical traditions of Cuba. "Music is a treasure hunt. You dig and dig and sometimes you find something. In Cuba the music flows like a river. It takes care of you and rebuilds you from the inside out" he wrote in the liner notes. Indeed, the gentle son-based dance numbers, ballads and Havana hymns flow with ease just as they did in 80 years ago. It sounds like the ultimate hootenanny between some of the most legendary players and singers of the "son de Cuba," including Company Segundo, Ibrahim Ferrer, and national treasure pianist Ruben Gonzalez. A warm, flamboyant affair.
