Ry Cooder

The Ry Cooder Anthology: The UFO Has Landed (Warner Bros./Rhino)

One would have thought it impossible to narrow Ry Cooder’s nearly 40-year career into a 2-CD set, but The UFO Has Landed has managed the feat admirably. From his 1970 debut to I, Flathead, released earlier this year, UFO exposes the guitarist’s affinity for folk, blues, Tex-Mex, soundtracking, and more. Compiled by Cooder’s son Joachim, its 34 tracks are sequenced in nonchronological order, allowing for a sonic journey both enlightening and intense. While nothing from “supergroup” Little Village is included, Cooder’s extraordinary slide guitar is showcased on tunes from the movies Paris, Texas and Crossroads, while familiar songs such as “Get Rhythm,” “Dark End of the Street,” and “Little Sister” are given unique treatment. Liner notes include short, occasionally humorous blurbs on each track, written by Cooder. Until the overdue box set arrives, The UFO Has Landed serves as a prime entrée into a storied career.

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This article appears in December 19 • 2008.

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