Guitarist pays tribute on rustic record steeped in folk, blues and soul

Mastered from the original analog tapes

Pressed at RTI, strictly limited to 3,000 numbered copies

Ry Cooder's development as a peerless musician capable of grasping virtually any style began with his time spent with Taj Mahal and Captain Beefheart, but for all intents and purposes reaches epic proportions on Boomer's Story.

With two ambitious albeit uneven studio albums behind him, the California native plunged into roles that still define him today — that of sonic archeologist and cultural historian, shaping his 1972 Reprise effort with enlightened selections carved into the bedrock of America's folk, blues, and soul landscapes. Inspired, virtuosic, and poignant, Boomer's Story endures as a ravishing portrait of inspired translation and inventive craftsmanship that after years of neglect finally boasts sonics deserving of the performances.

A true original, the guitarist simultaneously pays tribute to the past and updates it for the future. Boomer's Story, brims with traditional tunes (the title track, "Good Morning Mr. Railroad Man"), classic blues ("Ax Sweet Mama," "Cherry Ball Blues"), and World War II standards ("Comin' in on a Wing and a Prayer"). A spellbinding blend of personality, respect, and innovation grace every song.

Track Listing
Side 1
Boomer's Story
Cherry Ball Blues
Crow Black Chicken
Ax Sweet Mama
Maria Elena

Side 2
The Dark End of the Street
Rally ‘Round the Flag
Comin' in on a Wing and a Prayer
President Kennedy
Good Morning Mr. Railroad Man