Across the borderline, Ry Cooder

[Jean Pierre]

Across the Borderline" is a song originally written by Freddie Fender, then covered by Ry Cooder, John Hiatt and Jim Dickinson, but performed by many artists, including Bob Dylan. The song explores themes of hope, sacrifice and the pursuit of a better life. It delves into the struggles and aspirations of individuals living on the border, with particular reference to the Rio Grande and the uncertain journey many face as they attempt to cross to a new land.

It's a very topical song, given Donald Trump's unbridled determination to complete the construction of an impassable wall between Mexico and the USA, and the appointment of the new Pope Leon XIV, an American bishop and former missionary in South America.  The migration issue is likely to remain the number one bone of contention between the two men.

Many tracks on my Daw Guitars (3 tracks) , keyboards (accordion and trumpet with soundfont), weissenborn , Vocals (3 tracks), bass and drums are from band in a Box 


Across the Borderline" is a song originally written by Freddie Fender, then covered by Ry Cooder, John Hiatt and Jim Dickinson, but performed by many artists, including Bob Dylan. The song explores themes of hope, sacrifice and the pursuit of a better life. It delves into the struggles and aspirations of individuals living on the border, with particular reference to the Rio Grande and the uncertain journey many face as they attempt to cross to a new land.

This version is inspired by that of Ensemble Iberica sin Fronteras
 Sin Fronteras is a monumental musical project exploring music from both sides of the 5,525-mile border. The project features Latin Grammy winners Mireya Ramos and Los Texmaniacs, alongside country and western band Slim Hanson and the Poor Choices. 

Listen carefully to the end ..there's a quote in Spanish (I think I speak Spanish as badly as English)...  

En la triste oscuridad
Hoy tenemos que cruzar
Este río que nos llama más allá

[TPB]

Very nice I love the background info Ry Cooder has many songs that are gems
Tim

[Zoltan]

Ah, you sly devil! You're showing some mighty fine playing chops yet doing that in a very understated manner.

And when the vocals appear. We're in the chanson territory. A great storydriven song that suits your vocal style perfectly.

And when the brass instrumentation appears. Ah, to be greeted by a thousand mariachi players in front of a firing squad!(*

(* Sorry i lost it a bit there...

JP, well done! Full of mood!

[Jean Pierre]

Ah, to be greeted by a thousand mariachi players in front of a firing squad!

yes, that's kind of the feeling I get... I see myself at the heart of the Mexican revolution, in 1913... (Once upon a time, the revolution, film by Sergio Leone, music by Ennio Morricone).

Note that I've done a cover of the music from "Once upon a time, the Revolution", one of my cult films
HERE, for those who haven't heard it yet

https://songcrafters.org/forum/index.php?topic=27760.0

[Ted]

This is so beautiful - the gentle Mariachi textures – and beautifully done.

I have a few things to say about the Mexican-American border. I'll try to keep it musical.

I'm an unsophisticated fan of Mariachi music. I don't know the names of the sub-genres. I divide it into two broad categories: (1) Has accordion — which I prefer, and (2) Has violins and orchestration — which'll do in a pinch. Growing up in Arizona, Mexico was always within easy reach – and good Mexican restaurants on the US side with live music. I would run into Mariachi music from time to time growing up, and at some point it grabbed me. I'm not an aficionado by any stretch, but when visiting Mexico, I'd seek it out. Sadly, in my digital collection, I think I have but a single album of Mariachi music: Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán, and it's the violin kind. I purchased it on cassette directly in Mexico (and converted to digital myself). Certainly in my storage unit I have more Mariachi cassettes.

What I'm saying is: I'm happy to have a new facsimile of the has accordion kind.

In 2012 some friends of mine in Arizona put together a 2-CD compilation called Border Songs, spoken word and music addressing the catastrophic effects of US border policy. It featured 30 artists, including Pete Seeger, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Amos Lee, and Tom Russell. It may have been the last album Pete Seeger contributed to while he was alive. (I probably could have finagled my way onto this album if only I'd written and recorded a song.) The CD raised about $100,000 for the organization No More Deaths. I wonder if they approached Ry Cooder about using this song. But if you want a heavy dose of songs about the US-Mexico border, I can hook you up.

Again: Beautifully done!

[Jean Pierre]

Thanks Ted, and as always very interesting comments