Legendary singer-songwriter, film composer and eclectic session guitarist Ry Cooder is back with his first album in six years, The Prodigal Son. Cooder, who has made a name for himself as a musicologist of Americana and world music, applies it here through the lens of spirituality, mixed with a socio-political and humanistic bent. It’s a seamless blend of folk, gospel and rustic blues. Songs like “Straight Street” and “Nobody’s Fault but Mine” center on faith, redemption and forgiveness. “Gentrification” is a sly commentary on the changing landscape of urban America, while the title track is a trad tune dedicated to steel guitar pioneer Ralph Mooney.
Rating: 8/10
Distributed by Perro Verde/Fantasy
Producer: Ry Cooder and Joachim Cooder
