Ry Cooder - How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times And Live

From "Ry Cooder & The Moula Banda Rhythm Aces: Let's Have A Ball", a film by Les Blank taped at The Catalyst, Santa Cruz, CA on March 25'th 1987. Very beautiful slide.
Look out for "Delta Time" by Terry Evans & Hans Theessink out Sept. 21. Terry and Hans is joined by Ry Cooder, Bobby King and Arnold McCuller - all from this concert. See "The making of Delta Time" here: • HANS THEESSINK & TERRY...
Comment from MrBillindallas:
Concert was from a two night run - the last of nine total dates on the NorCal tour. Shot on 16mm film with an audio remote truck in the alley. Movie was released in Europe but not in the US. Great band, at one of the best venues in the 'States, the last two nights of the mini-tour they were truly on fire. One venue was so small the band filled the stage and the dance floor.
Setlist for the two nights in Santa Cruz:
3-24-87 Santa Cruz, CA (the Catalyst):
Showtime
Little Sister
Smack Dab In The Middle
Lets Have A Ball
Me and Frank
unknown title [Spanish lyrics]
Hell Have To Go
If Walls Could Talk
Jesus on The Mainline
How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times & Live?
One Meatball
Atom Bomb
Teeny Weeny Bit of Your Love
Why Dont You Try Me?
Down In The Boondocks
The Things That Make You Rich Make Me Poor
Crazy Bout An Automobile (Every Woman I Know)
encores:
Chain Gang
Down In Hollywood
Goodnight Irene
3-25-87 Santa Cruz, CA (the Catalyst):
Smack Dab In The Middle
Lets Have A Ball
unknown title [Spanish lyrics]
Hell Have To Go
If Walls Could Talk
Jesus On The Mainline
How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times & Live?
One Meatball
Atom Bomb
Teeny Weeny Bit of Your Love
Down In Mississippi
instrumental
The Things That Make You Rich Make Me Poor
Crazy Bout An Automobile (Every Woman I Know)
Chain Gang
Down In Hollywood
Goodnight Irene
Band:
Ry Cooder: guitar, vox
Jim Keltner: drums
Van Dyke Parks: keys
Jorge Calderon: bass
Flaco Jimenez: accordion
Miguel Cruiz: percussion
Steve Douglas: sax
George Bohannon: trombone
Singers:
Bobby King: tenor
Terry Evans: baritone
Arnold McCuller: tenor
Willie Green Jr: bass

[@WendyBecker-t3q]

Wow, I am humbled this man's soul 😊

[@actlloyd]

We all know that Ry is a great player, but I never hear anyone give him any credit for his singing. The guy's a terrific, soulful singer.

[@allanwoods4553]

i do

[@nicholassgouros8612]

So true

[@johnwilcox3013]

If you look at the credits of most of the movies made in the 80s up into the early 2000s, you will see that Ry Cooder was person who scored the music to most of them. He has quietly made his mark musically for more than 50 years. A true troubadour of our time.

[@davidcharcas3121]

How can we know in times such as this? Ry is is crying a planitive wail how can a man?

[@wysiwyg2489]

He never gets credit because he makes his guitar sing.

[@hughmckendrick3018]

The sad thing about this song is its constant relevance. Heart-felt singing from Mr Cooder.

[@gaildavis2291]

Constant Relevance. You said it all. Peace and love to you Brother.

[@davedraycott5779]

True

[@ikkenhisatsu7170]

Totally underrated. Ry Cooder is a guitar genius.

[@FloydFreud]

More like relatively unknown, which is still a shame. Anybody who's heard him realizes he's a terrific player.

[@mrmisterjefferson]

This is the soundtrack of my life from the 1970's to forever. Been drunk, lost, in and out of love, sleepin' in the backseat of my 55 buick, on the side of the road in the middle of the night, in the tank, and curled up inside my head, and this music has been a constant. If Ry had a thousand albums out, it still would never be enough. Screw golf and Disneyland, this, THIS, is heaven! Amen.

[@d.mcfadden7759]

Same for me since the 1990s, so glad I discovered this then!

[@yamapenny5960]

@@d.mcfadden7759 CONGRATULATIONS 👍

[@mrmisterjefferson]

10 year update: Still boppin’ to the slidemaster

[@Ana_M_01]

Do write your thoughts or your life story. I would love to read about it. You are a natural! Who knows, your words may become a balm for others.

[@BroncUK]

Bless us all .

[@michaelfinn1317]

Ry Cooder is great. Period. Been enjoying his music for 40 years maybe.

[@paulhoughton5164]

Ry is the man but that band are up there with him every step. Why doesn’t this happen anymore. Where is feeling where is soul now. Real instruments and real emotions..........

[@DoowahDiatribe]

I agree...best slide player, genuine human being, movie soundtrack master and one of the most unique musicians of the last 100 years - of all lands.

[@gmtdiato]

Merci!!

[@boycieboy100]

Highly talented musicians. Brilliant

[@carmenropero3840]

That guitar is more human than some people I know. Thanks, Mr. Cooder.

[@barristanselmy2758]

Interesting comment. I agree with it.

[@cityzen2717]

Beethoven called the guitar "the little orchestra."

[@sandytrunks]

@@cityzen2717 You made that up.

[@greatleapforwards]

One of the Masters of making the guitar cry

[@Baci302]

Great comment.

[@pigletized]

Stunnigly Beautiful!

[@long2granger]

so good I'm speechless

[@pthornton102652]

thank you for taking the time this song deserves, Love You

[@goodun2974]

I only regret that I am allowed to give just one "thumbs up" for this performance!

[@Find-Your-Bliss-]

I’ll give you mine.

[@goodun2974]

@@Find-Your-Bliss- , thanks!

[@ottavva]

in that case you send a million hearts like this 1.❤❤❤.❤❤❤.

[@ronmccormick3744]

In my humble opinion; he's a badass singer, one hell of a writer, and a master of the slide guitar.

[@masamishioiri]

Thank you Ry

[@marioalupay9747]

timeless and beautiful sounds..

[@stevenbreen7243]

God gave Ry a gift and through hard work Ry repaid the gift so we could all feel the joy of God's gift.

[@DoowahDiatribe]

I am very thankful for class, grace and expertise of Mr. Ry. Combined with his lack of bs and refusal to join the Stones to simply do his gig with real musicians of heart...impossible to top. His music has made my life a lot better over the years.

[@tommythompsonsurfer]

special music....hawaiian tommyt.

[@danteVEC725]

BEAUTIFUL VOICE

[@geertaufdemkampe8918]

The best version ever.

[@mulliniks51]

That slide up the neck was an adventure . Wow !

[@jimscbgs]

Man, this guy has SOUL...He plays with all his heart..........OUTFRIGGENSTANDING !!!!

[@zitherbefree]

a real specialist of the superlative, great, thank you.

[@doccorazon]

Cooder is one of the best guitarist of al the music, he walk many roads but still in the same way. Bravo.

[@markdimarziomusic]

I love this music so much ...

[@Growler57]

Pure class

[@stevenmull7680]

I just don't have the words I can feel the love

[@ajayadavidson]

might fine playin' full of soulfulness

[@minuteman2006]

Arguably the best rendition of this song (at least to my ears) by Mr Cooder , Flaco and band. Thank you for such a treat! so much emotion and equally fun to watch as it is to hear this song played.

[@Denis-zf6lk]

What a legend, I just watch this over and over !

[@cinderellalifestyle]

yes, very beautiful slide!

[@mariansmith2644]

Beautiful!

[@aloisemason3972]

Bring it on Ry Cooder and backups along side of band members. Hello Flaco and others on stage dntertaing and performing there best.How Can a .Poor man stand such times and live..it's scary alright..A great big pill huh..rhythem and melody goes with the Poor man trying to live thru out this song with the Big Hoffa pill there beside him. Got it,you all ...great singer and sliding guitar player..great speaker in this and hummer..music so much inspires me ,inside my very heart..thank you for the inspiration

[@mrmisterjefferson]

This is the soundtrack of my life from the 1970's to forever. Been drunk, lost, in and out of love, sleepin' in the backseat of my 55 buick, on the side of the road in the middle of the night, in the tank, and curled up inside my head, and this music has been a constant. If Ry had a thousand albums out, it still would never be enough. Screw golf and Disneyland, this, THIS, is heaven!

[@ernest671]

Ry Cooder`s work always has given me some kind of road movie vibe (maybe because of his work in Paris, Texas). I feel in heaven when I listen his music. He made timeless masterpieces.

[@sharoncombs58]

And Southern Comfort!

[@rdjones97439]

Ry Cooder has turned me on to so many styles of music with his recordings through the years. More than a great player and band leader he has been a music historian!

[@genepollock4437]

I've been saying the same for years. Great of guitar as he is, when the music books are written, he may well be best known as a keeper of the flames; a musical historian. He is a treasure.

[@racl1954]

Awesome. Raw ragged and beautiful. And Ry on the slide is tops!.

[@DoowahDiatribe]

I think the Mr. Cooder and all of his very talented friend / band mates should receive the Nobel Peace Prize for the many contributions made as champions of so many of us, the "little" people. Their music tells us that all cultures really can unite in friendship and create something wonderful! Many of "Ry and Friends" have been doing this for over forty years. I think it is time all of these inspirational musicians to be recognized.

[@rainzohav2181]

well, bob Dylan did just a Noble prize for literature, maybe not so far off that musicians will receive a Noble Peace prize.

[@timothylewis2450]

Amen Doowah.

[@davidstrunk5971]

Why not they gave Obama one for doing nothing.

[@markothwriter]

awards are like dandelions -- they come up for free. Obummer got a lot of them.

[@marlenel.6738]

@@davidstrunk5971 You are out of line with that.

[@melcohen5578]

This has got to include one of the all time classic guitar solos ever !! His slide work is impeccable and the lead out at the end Masterful !! Quality !!

[@frankmedina7167]

san antonio's BEST ACCORDING PLAYER FLACO JIMENEZ..

[@johnfitzpatrick1472]

world's best

[@buckhorncortez]

What's an "according"? Never heard of that musical instrument...Flaco plays an accordion...

[@johnfitzpatrick1472]

I expect its a spell-check correction@@buckhorncortez

[@joshuabloodsworth9495]

Nah his older brother Santiago is just as good, they both studied under their dad Santiago Sr. who was legendary in Tejas. these guus are legends & super cool, will drink a few beers with you!

[@allenkennedy6748]

Joshua Bloodsworth Thanks for pointing that out. Both brothers are absolutes in conjunto. Used to be mindless compliments created a problem, thankfully that got resolved. Remarks should be accurate and instructive.

[@richardturner7604]

Ry is a maestro and guitar player of outstanding ability , thanks Ry for bringing your music to the world and long may you continue to do so.

[@moragmacgregor6792]

This song couldn’t be more timely for many of us. Magical ensemble, every one

[@etijerino2008]

The world is a better place because Ry Cooder lives.

[@TNPassiflora]

Indeed! If you are on Facebook, come join our group where we celebrate that fact daily! facebook.com/groups/312225228948256/

[@if.community]

not anymore :(

[@if.community]

im sayin check the news

[@barristanselmy2758]

He's alive and well actually.

[@ewanhaig4566]

hip hip hoooray!!!

[@TheShaneshar]

The stage, is like your very favorie meal,...all so Good, just don't know where to start,....Brilliant, as always

[@pierrevanbentum]

Amazing clip. I'am lucky to have the CD of this awesome concert! Ry Cooder, may you live forever.

[@Jarrahnut]

Whacko! Flaco! Great track. Jeez, Ry Cooder is good! G'day, and greetings to you all from wonderful Western Australia!

[@Debunker246]

thanks for uploading this

[@taila1976]

the slide solo was simply heartbreaking.

[@michalp2270]

Love this song. Mikę from Poland

[@exdus235]

👋😊🇺🇸

[@mobydick8620]

I am from Turkey and I can give away my life if he gives a concert here in İstanbul.

[@kingstumble]

Beautiful and timeless. As relevant today as it ever was.

[@TheAzza1121]

My late father loved Cooder... Ry's one of the greatest influences on my music and my heart aches when i hear this! :)

[@minuteman2006]

making love to that accordion and guitar. My eyes are tearing up just listening. Thank you Ry, Flaco and the rest of the band, Thank you!

[@sarahcesar5813]

To my ears, the sound of the accordion has a magical touch...

[@Bluescanuck]

Amen brothers & sisters. Ry Cooder has been & is an integral part of great music. He's in that same rarified atmosphere as JJ Cale, John Hiatt, Bob Dylan, & Tom Waits... musical genuises all.

[@---bp8jd]

Love this version so much.

[@aloisemason3972]

Ry Cooder, the slider of guitar playing and singer on stage is a legend of it all..rhythem and melody is awesome..so many fans all over the world..backup singers are terrific and band is great..music flows out to all and with the guitar slider the music at times gently weeps for all..and vision that ..it's like we're on this journey and just grazing along the way..slowly returning..a pleasant sound that makes me gently weep to the sound of going out to the wind and its streaming along on its special time zone..never forgotten

[@friedasinay6118]

i am a big fan from him and his music, love it

[@nashvegasnow]

watch flaco he sends all kinds of love to ry when ry solos like a father or friend does watch his face

[@doda26]

Soooo Fine! Thank you for uploading this one.

[@clapton4962]

wonderfully played

[@bennyjazzful]

PURE MAGIC. Such great music from Ry & the band. Just shut up about the politics & listen to the wonderful musicians.

[@stratoman2004]

In fact I saw Ry Cooder play live on the Bop Til You Drop tour. It remains a very fond memory...just a brilliant show!

[@jamesmcmillan9579]

Pure genius!

[@eliades1973]

This song is so so beautiful!

[@alexfraser246]

it does not get much better than this, does it.

[@TRAPEZONA]

I love you,Ry Cooder.And this is really a very great song and very,very actual.I love every single word and sound of this song.

[@TheSunnickey]

Thank you

[@rudiroose1992]

Brilliant!!!

[@MyDennis333]

Incomparable and brilliant, I salute you Mr. Cooder!!

[@TheRossie58]

Lovely version, great slide guitar and choir !!!

[@andrew13yt]

Every now and then I come back to this video just to make sure that it's still up there....gets me every time without fail.

[@SailBobo2]

Beautiful! ... It doesn't hurt that I was at this very concert in 1987 ... Ry Cooder, a guitar player's guitar player, with a keen ear for a great song.

[@gailwilliams2678]

How wonderful to have been at this concert. I came to Ru via Ali Farka Toure (sp?) and Buena Vista Social Club. I felt like I’d found a piece of heaven when I discovered M Broders videos of this concert!

[@aloisemason3972]

Have u ever. Heard such beautiful music and rhythrm going on ..great melody in the airwaves going out to the fans everywhere..Happy Doctor,hahaha haha pill huh,terrific with the price going up..know what I mean? Sound coming through ,listening so close by .great band and thank u Flaco and musicians..your on a roll

[@cavewerk]

This whole concert is increadible

[@TRAPEZONA]

Many greetings and kisses from your very,very fascinated fan from Germany!Trapezona

[@jamesmcmillan9579]

Fantastic!!

[@Papawcanner]

This makes me cry .

[@TRAPEZONA]

Ry, I really love this song!!!And I love you,you´re really a fantastic guitar-player and singer!Trapezona

[@martinobrien7110]

Saw Ry do this song in 197? at the Brighton Dome . Magical . Unfortunately since then we have regressed .

[@eugenejohnson3297]

WOW! Those high notes he played were well beyond the fret. But he still keeps it cool. He knows about music that Man.

[@dennispope8299]

Yes Eugene, I noticed he employed the instrument well beyond the frets! An emotional song accompanied with extreme talent all around!

[@stutrol]

Gorgeous! Im a late Cooder admirer, but man does he whisk you away with his band! Phew

[@johnmackenzie8573]

Fabulous Just Fabulous & So True

[@bennyjazzful]

WOW What a brilliant clip of Ry & a bunch of superb musicians & the wonderful vocal quartet. Ry just makes that guitar sing so pretty. From a 72yo Aussie fan.

[@greyhoundfriend123]

I just can't say how much I enjoyed that! I had to listen twice. And I'll be back for more! Thanks!

[@peaceloads1368]

How can a poor boy stand such times as these!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!!11

[@diannemay2545]

What can I say. The most brilliant slide guitarist of all time. And what an emotional message. Just love the look on the guy's face playing the accordion. He knew as we do that he was playing with the master. Thank you Ry Cooder for being you.

[@sharoncombs58]

Flaco, Ry, and all the band--this is a great song.

[@krsdesigns]

Damn! that solo brings me too tears....so much heart into it. GREAT SONG, thanks Mbroders!!!! thank you

[@aliens_exist_23]

Quite possibly the greatest thing I’ve ever heard. The control and phrasing in his playing is quite astonishing.

[@michaelkenna2024]

Nathan Astonishing is a perfect word choice. Well cited.

[@alicasoto4497]

The boss and his band covered this song too but came nowhere close to matching this.

[@howardcobb4354]

Absolutely agreed , I saw him do it in London around '81 ish. He made that guitar bleed with emotion. I will never hear anything like it again. From another planet, must be .

[@lawanna3557]

You'd love Duane Allmans 'Amazing Grace' most likely.

[@BluesCrossing]

Blind Alfred Reed song... a West Virginia treasure. Great version Mr. Cooder

[@ulrichfriehe3459]

Michael Lyzenga one of the greatest songs ever recorded. Timeless, written and recorded by Mr. Alfred Reed for Ralph Peer in Bristol, Va.

[@hansvandecasteele9005]

Ry Cooder is Ry Cooder Beautiful music

[@ottavva]

a million hearts 1.❤❤❤.❤❤❤. un millón de corazones

[@korstina55]

Life in Christchurch with Nick cave best concert ever that guitar made ppl cry.straight to you soul

[@SValadezEnsemble]

classic, awesome, timeless

[@skinnyankal]

Twas a Yogi Bear and Boo Boo moment ~~Wandering around Liverpool ~~ and up crept the sound from a basement musicshop~~~ 1971 ish ~~ Boomer Story ~~ That musician has helped me down the highway ~~~thxalot

[@roberttibbatts7696]

ALAN CLARKSON .

[@steviebkhall]

What intro ! Coodo and band 30 years later ! What a song !Peace

[@gregorylightcatcher1058]

Oh yeahhh..his guitar playing says things I can,t! Bravo and amen.

[@TRAPEZONA]

Such a wonderful song.I think I´ll never stop listening to it!Thank you,Ry!I love you!Trapezona