I have been listening to Ry Cooder's album Pull Up Some Dust & Sit Down a lot this last week. I am a big admirer of Ry Cooder, not only for his amazing slide guitar work, but also because his ability to hit the target with words and groove.
The theme on this album is the new depression, where topics of politics and wealth gets fair attention.
As always, the production is great for this type of music. Great guitar work and tones, and a variety of instruments and you get terrific boogie, blues, country and folk all in a package.
There is a lot of dark humour on the album - the financial people gets a nod on No Banker Left Behind, and soldiers returning home from war with body parts missing are featured in the joyful Christmas Time This Year.
The best song on the album is John Lee Hooker for President. Imagine what it might be like with Hooker at the White House - Everyone gets one bourbon, one scotch, one beer, three times a day if they stay cool. Ry's playing and singing here is nothing but spectacular. The groove, the feel, the honesty - it's some of the best work I have ever heard from Ry Cooder.
In another tune, Jesse James thinks about returning from Heaven to visit some Old West justice on Wall Street in the waltzing tune El Corrido de Jesse James.
The ballad Simple Tools covers the benefits of the simple life, and the tune If There's A God delivers a powerful warning about the potential return of segregation following the implementation of strict immigration laws in Arizona.
There a lot to explore in Pull Up Some Dust & Sit Down. I encourage you to listen to the album, and listen again, and take in the lessons. This is a masterly collection of dusty roots, blues, country and boogie that is as good as anything Ry Cooder has ever recorded in his long career.
By Robert Renman - www.dolphinstreet.com
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