Album Description: Deluxe limited edition includes book. Ry Cooder's I, Flathead is the culmination of his ambitious and fascinating "California Trilogy," the last of three albums in which the singer and guitarist journeys through the real and imagined history of mid-20th century, multi-ethnic California, sampling the sounds of its barrios and byways, its nightclubs and honkytonks. The CD functions beautifully on its own, but also serves as a sort of soundtrack to the book equivalent. Abetting Cooder in his story telling is a veritable repertory of players who've appeared in the previous discs in the trilogy, among them drummer Joachim Cooder, Jim Keltner, Flaco Jimenez, Jon Hassell, Juliette Commagere and Gil Bernal.
tom wolf of trona if you don't know california in the '50's and '60's, don't read this book.. the music will be enough.. then read the book. through sheer persistence and love, cooder has become the grand historian for cali in the day.. every referrence rings true and resonates through the reality of the ground level history of so cal.. he nails it.. every time.. and the music ain't too shabby neither.. except for the guitar.. kidding
Rockin' Ry Ry just keeps me smiling. From Taj to Beefheart to the dustbowl to Hawaii,Cuba, and Africa,and this California stuff; he keeps putting out the sweetest music I hear. He is a beautiful soul. I'd love to see him in NYC(with Van Dyke Parks).
Best of the Trilogy I recently purchased the new Ry Cooder and was very glad that I did. I didn't care too much for the last one (about the cat) and I loved the first one (Chavez Ravine) but the new one really rocks! The short story that comes with the disc was great and adds a lot to the disc. Musically this disc is terrific and Ry's guitar is way up front.I say check it out!
Amazed by Cooder Pure masterpiece with road movie feeling and a true piece of art with lotta conotations from musical history of one lost time where Hank Williams is still riding his chevie through lifelong road with honky tonks beside the road track. Sheer time capsule in a timless row of many lifes. Unbeliveable record, most likely the best of Cooder's, If that can possibly be said. Ry created a musical story which goes beyond the digital era, something like as If this was his first or last album. All his records are here and none of them. Limited deluxe edition is substantial.
And now for something completely different.... Fantastic follow up to 'Chavez Ravine' and 'My Name is Buddy' Ry Cooder completes the trilogy with 'I, Flathead' - and another fascinating tale of life in bygone America. I opted for the 'deluxe version' to include a small hard backed book written by Ryland himself - which could easily be the script for a cult movie. Cooder's ramblings made compulsive reading - taking you back to childhood sci-fi magazines - and more adult themed media - with a great cast including the space visitor Shakey and his salt flats racing buddies. Don't forget Kash Buck - and his band The Klowns who take the music theme of the CD. Some critics panned Cooder's last effort for not sounding 'classic Ry Cooder'. Give the guy a break! He's entitled to take his creativity wherever he thinks fit - and his last 2 albums have been brilliant pieces of work. As with 'My Name is Buddy', you need to embrace the whole concept - this is more than music - it's a great story WITH great music. Stand out tracks for me include 'Steel Guitar Heaven' with a nice mention for Paul Bigsby, Ridin' with the Blues, Johnny Cash - and finally Fernando Sez. But hell - they're all brilliant! My advice is: 1. Read the book 2. Listen to the album - then read the book again. All in all another gem from a modern music genius.
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