I Sing You a True Song: The Ry Cooder Story

A definitive, in-depth portrait of one of the most original and expressive guitarists in American music. For more than sixty years, Ry Cooder has pushed the boundaries of roots music while staying grounded in the soul of the slide guitar. Widely recognized as a modern master of the bottleneck technique, Cooder forged a career defined by sonic curiosity, unerring taste, and a deep respect for musical tradition – blending blues, gospel, Tex-Mex, early jazz, rhythm & blues, and countless other forms into a language all his own. I Sing You a True Song is the first comprehensive monograph to explore the full scope of Cooder’s work – from his early years as a precocious slide prodigy and his celebrated run as a prolific studio musician (including his influential recordings with the Rolling Stones, Captain Beefheart, and Randy Newman), to his eclectic solo albums and iconic film scores. With journalistic clarity and scholarly precision, this 500-page study examines how Cooder's distinctive guitar tone has underscored stories of hardship, resistance, and beauty across decades of American and global music. His albums don't just revive overlooked songs; they reimagine tradition with elegance and political edge. From his breakout solo debut in 1970 to the lush storytelling of The Prodigal Son in 2018, this book follows the consistent thread of craftsmanship and conviction that runs through Cooder’s work. His collaborations with musicians from Cuba, India, Hawaii, Mali, and Mexico reveal not only his technical brilliance but also his deep musical empathy. 🎸 Inside the book: A detailed chronicle of every solo album, from Into the Purple Valley to Chávez Ravine and beyond Full coverage of Cooder’s extensive studio work, including sessions with the Rolling Stones, Little Feat, Arlo Guthrie, and Van Dyke Parks Insightful analysis of major film scores, such as Paris, Texas, The Long Riders, Crossroads, and Johnny Handsome Discussion of key collaborations, including Buena Vista Social Club, Little Village, and Get On Board Complete discography, live performance overview, and bibliography index for reference (print edition only) View Less