The Unbroken Circle: Tradition and Innovation in the Music of Ry Cooder and Taj Mahal

This text explores the influences of musicians, Ry Cooder and Taj Mahal. Once musical partners, they both went on to have their own careers. Cooder was influenced by rag-time blues, bottleneck gospel blues, Norteno music, epic folk ballads and classical musicians. Mahal was swayed by Afro-Caribbean music, Chicago blues and Hawaiian music. They created a collage from these sources, resisting categories and always driving for the emotional centre of the musical experience. The author traces the parallels between the two artists, in their work and their influences.