The Prodigal Son (Ry Cooder album)
The Prodigal Son is a 2018 studio album, the sixteenth to be released by American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ry Cooder. The album was released on May 11, 2018 by Concord and Perro Verde labels. The record also produced two singles.Background
A successor to his 2012 album Election Special, and Cooder's first album in six years, The Prodigal Son seeks a return to the Gospel-infused spirit of his early career. Notably, the album features covers of the songs of the likes of Blind Alfred Reed, the Pilgrim Travelers and the Stanley Brothers alongside three original compositions.
According to Cooder, the album was primarily borne primarily from Cooder's 2015–16 tour alongside bluegrass musicians Ricky Skaggs and Sharon White of The Whites and finds a basis in incorporating elements of some of the white gospel music performed during the tour.
To promote the album, two in-studio video performances were released to the official Ry Cooder YouTube channel, one of "Straight Street" and one of the album's title track.Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
