Joachim Cooder’s Dreamer’s Motel is a captivating exploration of ethereal soundscapes, blending diverse musical elements with a gentle, meditative touch. Following up his 2020 album Over That Road I’m Bound, Cooder’s latest release is an expansive journey through dreamy sonic realms, where the weight of the world lifts and the listener is carried away on waves of mellow rhythms and rich textures.
The title track sets the tone, with Cooder coaxing delicate, bell-like notes from his Array Mbira—a unique instrument that produces plinking, chime-like sounds—while his father Ry Cooder’s guitars swirl around, creating a hypnotic atmosphere. The song’s lush vocal harmonies spiral in layers, adding to the song’s wistful, dreamlike quality, as Cooder weaves a tale of fleeting memories and untapped potential. The album is full of this airy, almost weightless feel, with each track unfolding like a soft reverie.
Sight and Sound pulses with Caribbean-inspired rhythms and an ethereal quality, driven by the distinctive clicking of the Mbira, while Cooder’s soothing vocals glide effortlessly over the melody. The track “Cool Little Lion” stands out with its tender lullaby-like charm, featuring warm, earthy tones and soft vocals that make it feel like a comforting embrace. On “Let Me See My Brother Walk,” Cooder mixes folk and gospel influences, with banjo, piano, and strings weaving together into a gentle tapestry of sound, accompanied by harmonies that feel both intimate and transcendent.
Closing the album is “Down to the Blood,” a beautifully layered track where jangly, psychedelic folk meets the gritty, soulful rhythms of Dr. John’s Cajun stylings, creating a perfect conclusion to this diverse and expansive album.
Dreamer’s Motel is a collection of songs that defy easy categorization, blending world music, folk, and psychedelic influences into something that feels both timeless and unique. With its airy textures, inventive instrumentation, and dreamlike atmosphere, the album takes listeners on a journey into the boundless space where memories, dreams, and music all intertwine. It’s a soothing, almost disarming experience that’s best appreciated in its full, immersive form. – Jason Felton