A tribute to Leadbelly, “On A Monday” finds Cooder retaining the song's basic approach by putting the guitar behind the vocal. “Which Came First" is another straight blues track, but with an ominous feel to it. “Let’s Work Together” is a New Orleans jazz/blues cut featuring Buckwheat Zydeco on his big piano accordion. Call it either honky-tonk or barrelhouse jazz meeting a blues slide guitar, but it all works out well. As well, on a cover of Wilson Pickett's “Teardrops Will Fall,” Cooder lays down some clean licks that remain true to the original while his vocal steers the track more towards a rock sound.
The old Josh White tune, “Tamp ‘Em Up Solid,” is given a subtle performance as he plays solo on an acoustic guitar. “Billy The Kid” features a stark vocal and some of the best mandolin work this side of Bill Monroe. And there is also a nice and light, tongue-in-cheek performance of the Billy Emerson song, “Crazy ‘Bout My Automobile (Every Woman I Know).”
The only weak songs are a couple of film soundtrack offerings that feel out of place and two tracks on which Cooder just seems to be aimlessly experimenting with his guitar beyond a firm song structure.
Overall, The Ry Cooder Anthology/The UFO Has Landed will be a delight for any fan of Ry Cooder and a must for any aficionado of the guitar sound.
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