Joachim Cooder – Over That Road I’m Bound (2020)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/88,2 kHz | Time – 43:56 minutes | 794 MB | Genre: Folk
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Digital Booklet, Front Cover | © Nonesuch
On his Nonesuch Records debut album, Over That Road I’m Bound, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Joachim Cooder uses the plain-spoken songs of country-music progenitor and banjo player Uncle Dave Macon as a jumping off point, tinkering with the lyrics and reworking melodies for his chosen instrument: an electric mbira. Cooder culled songs from Macon’s vast catalog and recorded them with his band and special guests: Ry Cooder, Rayna Gellert, Juliette Commagere, Sam Gendel, Glenn Patscha, Amir Yaghmai, Dan Gellert, and Vieux Farka Touré.
American folk is a traditional affair. It’s historically patriotic. Old songs are handed down from generation to generation, evolving as they go. Musicians play together as a family, passing the torch from one to the next. Joachim Cooder is no exception to the rule. He’s Ry Cooder’s son, an incredible musician with a broad vision for folk. Joachim often played with his father and here his father accompanies him on Over That Road I’m Bound, his debut album dedicated to covering old-time musician Uncle Dave Macon’s repertoire. Macon, who was born in 1870 and died in 1952, was one of the founding fathers of folk and country. He was immediately recognisable thanks to his high-pitched nasal voice and lively banjo playing. Joachim Cooder does of course respect Macon’s sound, but he also modernises the songs, almost appropriating them. On the opening track he plays the electric mbira, a strange African-inspired instrument that’s like a cross between a xylophone and a thumb piano, with a graceful sound that sets the tone for the rest of the album. His arrangements bring Africa to mind (you can hear echoes of Vieux Farka Touré, Ali’s son on guitar) as well as Ireland and the Appalachians. The vocal harmonies glide around like a warm breeze and the string instruments (guitar, violin, banjo…) weave new patterns into the fabric of Uncle Dave Macon’s songs. The record is beautifully produced: subtle, modern, soft to the ear and never old-fashioned. Joachim Cooder is definitely his father’s son. – Stéphane Deschamps
Tracklist
1. Joachim Cooder – Over That Road I’m Bound To Go
2. Joachim Cooder – When Ruben Comes To Town
3. Joachim Cooder – Come Along Buddy
4. Joachim Cooder – Oh Lovin’ Babe
5. Joachim Cooder – Tell Her To Come Back Home
6. Joachim Cooder – Backwater Blues
7. Joachim Cooder – Rabbit In The Pea Patch
8. Joachim Cooder – Morning Blues
9. Joachim Cooder – All In Down And Out
10. Joachim Cooder – Heartaching Blues
11. Joachim Cooder – Molly Married A Traveling Man
12. Joachim Cooder – When The Train Comes Along
Download:
