ALBUMS: Chicken Skin Music (1977); Borderline (1980)
MVC Rating.: Chicken 4.0/$$$$; Borderline 3.5/$$$
This guy has been playing roots music for a long time. He likes the slide and plays it well.
When I say roots, I mean old time rock ‘n roll, standards from various genres, including Hawaiian, Latin American, and Mexican.
Hard to pigeonhole. Maybe roots/world music.
Sounds like a mixtape titled “Eclectic Music from anywhere.”
Kind of a cross between David Lindley and Dave Edmunds and Los Lobos. He has worked with Lindley and it’s no surprise he was in a band with the great Taj Mahal earlier in life.
In fact, he has quite the resume going according to various sources including a website about him.
He’s played and recorded with Captain Beefheart, Van Morrison, Neil Young, the Rolling Stones, and Eric Clapton — just a few in a long list of gigs over the years.
Rolling Stone’s David Fricke named him the 8th greatest guitarist in a 2003 top 100 list.
Probably his best work from my perspective was Buena Vista Social Club, an album of Cuban music which Cooder produced. The album was recorded in Havana in 1997 and was like a window finally opening, letting in (and out) the fresh air of musica cubana for the world. The two albums I have here are solid. Chicken Skin Music is heavy on the island and Tex-Mex feel. Borderline, with a highlight ‘Why don’t you Try Me Tonight,’ is more old rock n roll with some Tex-Mex notes.
It’s easy listening in a good way. Both have a tossed off feel that may take some getting used to. Check out the videos because his music shines in a live setting. It’s been a pleasant experience re-playing these after some years. Cooder’s music doesn’t jump you; it seeps in.
Counting down my 678 vinyl records before i die of brain disease.