Chavez Ravine

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Binding: Audio CD EAN: 0075597987720 Label: Nonesuch Manufacturer: Nonesuch Number Of Discs: 1 Publisher: Nonesuch Release Date: 2005-06-13 Studio: Nonesuch
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Editorial Reviews: A rare solo outing from Ry Cooder, but don’t expect the conventional ‘twelve unrelated songs’ schtick that constitutes an album these days. For "Chavez Ravine" is a concept album about the eponymous area near Los Angeles that was torn down in the 1950’s by developers to make way for the Dodgers Stadium. The attraction of this neighbourhood for Cooder is obviously its largely Hispanic population, which is explicitly echoed in the music that tells the story. Linking his past solo work with his famed Buena Vista Social Club projects, Cooder delivers his story amidst lazy Cuban percussion, rolling piano, mariachi horns and of course, his understated guitar playing. Of course there are still surprises; the schizophrenia of "Don’t Call Me Red"; half ballad, half frenetic percussion and television narration being the biggest and best. With a large cast of vocal talents, including the legendary Little Willie G of The Midniters, and Cooder’s own contributions (which end up sounding not unlike Steely Dan fronted by John Sebastian), the album as a whole is extremely effective and succeeds in every department, evoking the kind of atmosphere aimed for. --Thom Allott
Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: It ain't what ya think..... Comment: ....it's going to be. That is ....it isn't Buena Vista Social Club, it isn't Ibrahim Ferrer, it isn't Ali Farka Toure, it isn't Flaco Jimenez. But then again it's all of these and more. In particular it's more of Ry and in a bigger sense its more altogether. A commanding view with all Ry Cooder's talents of bringing together disparate elements into a musical whole. Every play pays off and the record gets better and better with each hearing. In some ways it reminds me of early spring backs to folk melodies on "Into the Purple Valley" but with everything that he has done since coming together over a long and fruitful career and adding to the disc. Quite possibly the best thing that he has out together for a long time and worth persisting with Customer Rating: Summary: A colourful addition to a varied career Comment: In 2005, Cooder released Chavez Ravine, his first solo album since 1987's Get Rhythm. Although Ryland Cooder has made a career of bringing bygone days back to life on a global scale, Chavez Ravine is a high-water mark for him. Part history, part fantasy, the CD tells the story of Los Angeles' Chavez Ravine--an old Mexican barrio (slum) torn down by the city, allegedly to make room for a low-income housing project but in fact to build Dodger Stadium on. The record is sung in Spanish and English and Cooder has sought out musicians from the era and the place. It is the last recording (and a great one at that) for both "the father of Chicano music," Lalo Guerrero, and Pachuco legend Don Tosti. On this concept album, one is musically transported to the days of the Pachucos (Zoot-Suiters) and hears the voices of residents, bulldozer drivers, city thugs who tried to paint caring people as commies, and folks nostalgically looking back at the place they called home. Ry Cooder never ceases to amaze by the quality of his work and vision. Customer Rating: Summary: A good one Comment: Mention 'concept album' and rock'n roll and you'd be forgiven for running a mile. Being a Cooder fan, there was no way I'd not buy it, especially as I like the cojunto texmex sound (Flaco Jimenez etc), but I admit I was apprehensive. And you know what, right from the first track (Poor man's Shangri-La)Ry and co , put me right at ease. As concepts go, this sought to illuminate a place and an era and the music that emanated from it, before a whole community was cleared away by greedy property developers (a breed that has growm in rapacity since then). Ry reminds you of a simple fact that too often is forgotten sometimes- in musical terms, a place can often create the genre. All great music was local once. Amazingly Ry was able to colloborate with many of the musicians that were once on the scene, 50 years ago, when Chavez Ravine was cleared away to make way for a stadium! And by the way, its all great fun to listen to, and immensely enjoyable and variable too! So get over your 'concept album' prejudice right now. I did, and I want to testify! Customer Rating: Summary: Historical documnt Comment: I loved the opening track and as I have listened to the album more it grows on me. There are a few echoes of Bueno Vista Social Club where elderly singers croak through their songs. Take the time to read the translations of the Spanish songs and it will become more meaningful, likewise the sleeve notes. It is haunting and would make a great soundtrack to a short film about the building of Chavez avine some day? Customer Rating: Summary: You can't dance to it. Comment: I am disappointed at having bought this cd, and finding an album that is unlike any other of Ry's works. For me, it is hard going and quirky. I can understand the artist's motives for making it, and I have got most of his previous stuff, but this cd will gather dust in my collection. More Reviews