Ry Cooder - Borderline (1980)

With 1980's Borderline, Ry Cooder followed the foray into R&B and soul of his previous effort, "Bop Till You Drop", but this time out with a little shot of the Southwest thrown in. At the same time, he also continues the primarily electric sound of that record. As far as his selection of material goes, "Borderline" may sometimes lack the surprising, esoteric charm of his earlier recordings, but there are still some terrific finds, including the Tex-Mex-flavored "The Girls from Texas," which may be the album's finest moment. Other highlights include one of John Hiatt's best, the written-to-order "The Way We Make a Broken Heart," as well as Billy "The Kid" Emerson's "Crazy 'Bout an Automobile," which Cooder had been performing live for a number of years, and the soulful Maurice & Mac treasure "Why Don't You Try Me." And while it's moments like these that help make Cooder's records special, he also takes on some better-known '50s and '60s offerings with moderate success. His recording of Wilson Pickett's 1966 hit "634-5789" isn't going to make anyone forget the original, but he's able to pull it off as a rocker, while "Speedo" and "Down in the Boondocks" are respectable covers.  If you prefer to hear Ry Cooder the slide guitar virtuoso, then this album may not do it for you because it doesn't really come forth with that kind of performance.

On the other hand, another one of Ry Cooder's talents is to come up with unique interpretations of other writer's pop tunes, both famous and obscure ones. If you enjoy that type of thing, "Borderline" is just that kind of record. The first seven songs all deliver, at least to your ears. Not only is it a great band, but the arrangements all have great energy and more than your usual share of humor laced in there too.

Track listing

01.  "634-5789"  (Steve Cropper, Eddie Floyd)  - 2:56

02.  "Speedo"  (Esther Navarro)  - 3:20

03.  "Why Don't You Try Me"  (Billy Young)  - 4:54

04.  "Down in the Boondocks"  (Joe South)  - 3:21

05.  "Johnny Porter"  (Bobby Ray Appleberry)  - 5:21

06.  "The Way We Make a Broken Heart"  (John Hiatt)  - 4:28

07.  "Crazy 'Bout an Automobile"  (Billy Emerson)  - 5:03

08.  "The Girls from Texas"  (Cliff Chambers, Jimmy Holiday, James Lewis)  - 4:40

09.  "Borderline"  (Ry Cooder)  - 3:19

10.  "Never Make Your Move Too Soon " (Stix Hooper, Will Jennings)  - 6:08

Released:  October 1980

Recorded at:  Warner Bros. Recording Studio, Burbank, CA

Genre:  Roots Rock

Length:  43:30

Label:  Platinum Records

Producer:  Ry Cooder

Personnel

Ry Cooder - guitar, vibes, vocals

Jim Keltner - drums

George "Baboo" Pierre - percussion

Tim Drummond - bass

Reggie McBride - bass

William D. Smith - piano, organ, vocals

John Hiatt - guitar, vocals

Jesse Harms - synthesizer

Bobby King - vocals

Willie Green Jr. - vocals