“Some things I like to do better than other things, but I've got to say that in the end, the thing that makes it the most interesting for me is who you're with, you know? It's people that make the difference in just about any field, right?” PeopleKnowsEndsDifferencesInterestingFieldsMost Interesting Author:Ry Cooder
“These musicians, such as these Cubans in Havana, are a part of a scene that did produce great music and great musicians. They came from this tradition, so it's a good place to look. It's like prospecting: You gotta know where to look.” KnowsLooksProduceSceneMusicianTraditionGreat MusicCubanGood PlaceGreat MusicianHavanaProspecting Author:Ry Cooder
“Once you feel that you've learned some skills and you know how to make records, the next thing is, "Do we ever get to make one that people will really like?" Because then we'll have something to do.” PeopleKnowsFeelsNextKnow HowRecordsSkills Author:Ry Cooder
“You can make records from now 'til doomsday, and there are something like 50,000 records released every year, but the public gets to hear very few of these. They just won't know. They might be great records, but how in the world is the public supposed to find out about them?” KnowsWorldYearsMightRecordsDoomsday Author:Ry Cooder
“Most folks, when they see movies or hear records, need something that they find pulls them in, draws them in, and appeals to them beyond just the notes. For a record to be memorable and great, it has to have something of this quality. Exactly what that is, I don't know, but I think it has something to do with an atmosphere, an environment that is appealing and attractive. And the people that inhabit this environment have... almost a message for the rest of the world.” PeopleThinkingKnowsWorldNeedsQualityRecordsEnvironmentMessagesDrawsNotesFolksAppealsAtmosphereAttractiveMemorable Author:Ry Cooder
“The environment is rarely put on tape, or if it is, it's so abstract that most people never realize it. They just don't know what it means. But if you can show it to them, then that's what becomes the main instrument.” PeopleIfsKnowsMeanShowsRealizingEnvironmentInstrumentsAbstractTape Author:Ry Cooder