Ry Cooder’s New Single: Quicksand

Check out Ry Cooder’s excellent new single, inspired by Arizona’s new anti-immigrant law, in an exclusive premiere on NPR.

Arizona’s ongoing battle over immigration has inspired a new single from guitarist, composer and venerated session musician Ry Cooder.  The song, “Quicksand,” tells the story of six people who attempt to make their way from Mexico to the Arizona border via the so-called Devil’s Highway.

“The Devil’s Highway has been used by migrants traveling on foot for over 100 years,” says Cooder.  “You should try it sometime. Out there, temperatures can get above 130 degrees.  If you fall down, you have religious hallucinations, then you die, cooking from the inside out.  If you get lucky, you might make it to Yuma, but then what?  That’s no comfort station they run up there.”

(Hat tip: wrenchwench.)