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Thread: Who likes Ry Cooder?

  1. #1
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    Default Who likes Ry Cooder?

    Well, if the answer is “Yes”, then a cheeky rejoinder would be, “Then switch off now!”

    Ry Cooder’s mandolin playing was the reason I took up the instrument. But there don’t seem to be many videos of others playing his blues and country style. Neither is there much on the web about how to play some of his early classics. Tab? Nah! So you are on your own.

    So I’ve attempted a few on my YouTube channel. I’ve stuck my head above the parapet waiting for you to shoot me down - or not. (Ignore the cheeky ukulele bits)

    See what you think:

    https://youtube.com/channel/UCmBEoXiV9aoXC0sIu2FZ6Bg

    MediocreMike

  2. #2
    Registered User Glassweb's Avatar
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    Default Re: Who likes Ry Cooder?

    I'm in! One of the best mandolin solos you'll ever hear (and certainly an early inspiration for me to start playing) is Ry Cooder's solo (a la Yank Rachell) on The Rolling Stones classic recording of Robert Johnson's "Love In Vain". Man, for me it just doesn't get any better than that...

  3. #3
    Registered User Bren's Avatar
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    Default Re: Who likes Ry Cooder?

    I was a big fan.
    Billy the Kid and Goin to Brownsville were two of the first mandolin tunes I learned back in the 70s.
    I also got to see Ry live about that time on one of his solo tours.

    Having checked out your YT site, I'm a little bemused at George's little stick of rock making its way to Cleethorpes!
    Bren

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  5. #4
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    Default Re: Who likes Ry Cooder?

    Bren. It’s the East Coast version. Turned out nice!

  6. #5
    Registered User Bren's Avatar
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    Default Re: Who likes Ry Cooder?

    Quote Originally Posted by MediocreMike View Post
    Bren. It’s the East Coast version. Turned out nice!
    Again!
    Bren

  7. #6

    Default Re: Who likes Ry Cooder?

    Ryland Cooder. Really like his version of Seneca Square Dance, aka Waitin' for the Federals. A simple tune, well expressed

  8. #7

    Default Re: Who likes Ry Cooder?

    He played an electric bouzouki of some sort capoed up on "Jesus is On The Main Line" when I saw him a few years ago. One of the greatest live shows I've ever seen. So much tone, so much soul. Gotta learn Billy the Kid. Thanks for your videos!
    2010 Heiden A5, 2020 Pomeroy oval A, 2013 Kentucky KM1000 F5, 2012 Girouard A Mandola w ff holes, 2001 Old Wave A oval octave
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  9. #8
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    Default Re: Who likes Ry Cooder?

    I dug Cooder all the way back to when he played with Captain Beefheart and everything he's done and especially with Flaco and Lindley

  10. #9
    Ted Heinonen
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    Default Re: Who likes Ry Cooder?

    Ry Cooder has been a favorite of mine since the 70's Not only as a performer in his own right but also as an instrumentalist with many artists of the time. He was on Gordon Lightfoot's album Don Quixote playing mandolin on "Alberta Bound" or his appearance on my favorite Mike Seeger album "The Second Annual Farewell Reunion" playing slide guitar on "The Train that carried my girl from town" Ry was not unlike Mike in bringing musicians of all styles and genres together... albums like Chicken Skin, Jazz, Adventures into the the Purple Valley, etc. You could learn the history of American music going through his recordings.

  11. #10
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    Default Re: Who likes Ry Cooder?

    I discovered him years ago and have remained a fan.

  12. #11
    Registered User jim simpson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Who likes Ry Cooder?

    Ry's Election Special has some good bluegrass pickin' on it. I've been a fan since his first lp.
    Old Hometown, Cabin Fever String Band

  13. #12
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    Default Re: Who likes Ry Cooder?

    Ry got me interested in mandolin in the early 1970's thru the "Into the Purple Valley" album. Sadly, I missed a concert in Richmond VA with Ry and some unknown guy by the name of Jimmy Buffett. He came thru Charlottesville a couple of years ago with Ricky Skaggs and the Whites and I did not skip that one...a fine show and they came out to talk with folks afterwards. Really gracious people. Most of that show was gospel music, which Ry really loves.

    Thera are many fine albums out there that introduced me to stuff like real Hawaiian, Norteno, and early jazz. Flaco is my favorite and thinks Ry is a musical genius by doing stuff like putting together black gospel singers and Tex-Mex musicians and taking them on tour after some practice. He has done so many wonderfully different things - one of my favorites is his bottleneck version of "Hold to God's Unchanging Hand" and "Seneca Squaredance" from the Long Rider soundtrack with David Lindley.

  14. #13
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    Default Re: Who likes Ry Cooder?

    My girlfriend of 50+ years ago knew I liked blues, so she played me a funky song called “Alimony”. Love that one. Ironic title now, but that’s another story. Great job by Cooder on his first album.

    The Google says same guy who wrote “Alimony” wrote “Hi-Heel Sneakers”: Robert Higginbotham who recorded as Tommy Tucker — and who doesn’t like that one!?!!

  15. #14
    Registered User lowtone2's Avatar
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    Default Re: Who likes Ry Cooder?

    Quote Originally Posted by dan in va View Post
    Ry got me interested in mandolin in the early 1970's thru the "Into the Purple Valley" album. Sadly, I missed a concert in Richmond VA with Ry and some unknown guy by the name of Jimmy Buffett. He came thru Charlottesville a couple of years ago with Ricky Skaggs and the Whites and I did not skip that one...a fine show and they came out to talk with folks afterwards. Really gracious people. Most of that show was gospel music, which Ry really loves.

    Thera are many fine albums out there that introduced me to stuff like real Hawaiian, Norteno, and early jazz. Flaco is my favorite and thinks Ry is a musical genius by doing stuff like putting together black gospel singers and Tex-Mex musicians and taking them on tour after some practice. He has done so many wonderfully different things - one of my favorites is his bottleneck version of "Hold to God's Unchanging Hand" and "Seneca Squaredance" from the Long Rider soundtrack with David Lindley.
    Paris, Texas had a great Ry soundtrack too. I remember absolutely nothing above the movie.

  16. #15
    Jo Dusepo, luthier Dusepo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Who likes Ry Cooder?

    I do like Ry Cooder's music but had no idea he played mandolin!

    I loved the Buena Vista Social Club and some of his other callbos.
    I am a luthier specialising in historical and world stringed instruments. You can see more info at my website.

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