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 Posted:   Jan 27, 2025 - 4:09 AM   
 By:   Hurdy Gurdy   (Member)

I only have 3 CDs by Ry Cooder.
PARIS TEXAS, upgraded from the LP I bought back in the day (after seeing the film) and my introduction to his evocative scoring style.
I also have that 2 CD set compilation, MUSIC BY RY COODER, which features various tracks from a collection of his scores and acts as a great sampler of his sound/style.
And this CD.
Bought in (yes, you've guessed it) a charity shop for 10 bob or 33p or maybe a quid if it was a posh one.
I really like it though, despite the mixed grab-bag nature of the music.
Some Stephen Foster here, a waltz, mambo or elongated jazz piece there and some pleasant lo-fi Americana featuring strings, piano and guitar, with the help of arranger Van Dyke Parks and Cooder's son (I guess) Joachim.
But it's lovely stuff and a real nice chill listen.
The low key light orchestral cues are very nice indeed and the other tracks off-set them nicely.
Any other fans out there?


https://www.discogs.com/release/1703210-Ry-Cooder-Primary-Colors?srsltid=AfmBOorY7pi4BOQMFu6AdnSx-cuh-W5mTqoQHJF8XD2o4CnoX8dohN4U

 
 Posted:   Jan 27, 2025 - 9:34 AM   
 By:   VeronicaMars   (Member)

This was a replacement score after the score Carly Simon (Yes, that Carly Simon) wrote a score for it which didn't fit the film and had issues with the film personally. Ry wrote a solid replacement score which suited the film but a little more subdued than his normal work. I guess that was Mike Nichols influence.

The one score that really needs it's own release is Southern Comfort without question one of his best. I know he wrote more than was in the film for sure. It's very surprising this score has not been expanded yet and there was a great 4k blu ray that came out from Vinegar Syndrome which would've tied in for an expanded release. Maybe one day.

 
 
 Posted:   Jan 27, 2025 - 11:33 AM   
 By:   Thor   (Member)

I used to really dislike Cooder in the 90s. He was among a group of composers imported from the pop/rock world that I didn't put trust in; they weren't up for the task. My arrogant contention at the time was that they had no dramatic skill; they basically just substituted a studio album session with a score session, jamming and riffing up a soundtrack (somehow, that didn't apply to Danny Elfman, who I adored....yeah, makes no sense!).

Of course, my opinion on that has changed. Some great score stuff from the Ry Cooders and Mark Knopflers and Stewart Copelands and Randy Newmans of this world. PARIS, TEXAS was a revelation when I rewatched it a few years back, just after Harry Dean Stanton died. Beautifully moody, bluesy score.

I checked out a few other Cooders too, but didn't have a deep dive. PRIMARY COLOURS is on that list that needs re-evaluation (although the eclectic nature of it all, that Kev describes, is a bit disconcerting).

 
 
 Posted:   Jan 27, 2025 - 12:50 PM   
 By:   Hurdy Gurdy   (Member)

The eclectic nature is part of this CDs charm to me (okay, I skip the mambo piece and the lengthy jazz cue is grating).
The Stephen Foster bookends are nicely orchestrated to make them more interesting and the score interludes are the most traditional I've heard by Cooder.
I've always appreciated the outliers who brought THEIR OWN BRAND to film music back in the day, even if I didn't love them as much as my original heroes.

 
 
 Posted:   Feb 3, 2025 - 3:22 AM   
 By:   Hurdy Gurdy   (Member)

I imagine fans of W G 'Snuffy' Statler & Waldorf would also gravitate towards Ry Cooder's style of scoring?

 
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