Ry Cooder, the 71-year old American musician known as a genius slide guitarist, has released a new video for “Straight Street” off his upcoming album The Prodigal Son. The new album is slated for release May 11th and is Cooter’s first new solo album in six years.
According to Rolling Stone, Cooter recently said the album was, “a deft commentary on our ailing moral state.” Cooter went on to describe how his connection to the current world climate connects to his work. “I do connect to the political/economic dimensions with the inner life of people, since people are at risk and oppressed on all sides in our world today.” The new album exudes a subtle and humbling power that comes with years of experience and Cooter was able to describe his state of mind when he channels the state of the world today. “There’s a kind of reverence that takes hold when you play and sing these songs. ‘Reverence’ is a word I heard my granddaughter’s preschool teacher use, a Kashmiri woman. She said, ‘We don’t want to teach religion, but instill reverence.’ I thought that was a good word for the feeling of this music.”
The visceral sounds coupled with graceful vocals and skillful guitar found in “Straight Street” offer a fresh take on a soulful sound. The new video, is an exciting look at the inner workings of a spiritual and skillful master. Take a listen below.
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