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Ry Cooder jams so hard, Les Blank had to invent new film stock just to keep up.
TMDB
95

Ry Cooder & The Moula Banda Rhythm Aces: Let's Have a Ball (1988)

roots-rock fever dreamjam session gospelanalog warmth

Overview

DocumentaryMusic

Following a brief statement by Ry Cooder on his thoughts about performing - and improvising - on stage, this concert film depicts Cooder's 1987 live show in Santa Cruz, California, which was part of his "Get Rhythm" world tour.

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Standout Aspects

Direction

Les Blank captures live music like nobody else—intimate, sweaty, alive.

Sound

Every slide guitar note feels pressed directly into your eardrums.

Best for:Solo: Pour whiskey, dim lights, pretend you're in Santa Cruz 1987.·Friends: Convert the uninitiated to Ry Cooder disciples.·Rewatch: Catch new flourishes on every repeat—this man doesn't play the same solo twice.
Les Blank

Director

Les Blank

ReleasedJan 1, 1988
Runtime1h 30m
StatusReleased

Vibe

Pacesteady
Intensitymedium
Tonelight
Feelmedium
Flower Film

Top Cast

Ry Cooder

Ry Cooder

Himself

Van Dyke Parks

Van Dyke Parks

Himself

Ask about Ry Cooder & The Moula Banda Rhythm Aces: Let's Have a Ball

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Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Trivia

Les Blank filmed this during his golden period of music docs—he'd just finished 'Gap-Toothed Women' and was deep in his 'capture the moment' era, shooting without permits or plans.

Cultural

This 1987 show captures Cooder at his post-'Buena Vista Social Club' prime, still hungry, still proving slide guitar can carry every genre from blues to zydeco to whatever Van Dyke Parks threw at him.

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