It is July 4th 2002, two musical British brothers have just touched down in the United States. Mythologised in popular song it is the birthplace of the blues, jazz, soul and rock and roll. In search of their own version of El Dorado, instead of the promise of ubiquitous gold, the prize they seek is great music. The brothers have hatched a plan on how to achieve this, they are going to motor from New England to New Orleans, visiting the great music towns and venues that have shaped America. There is one problem though, they need a car. It has to be a special vehicle, one that taps into the rich cultural heritage they seek. Enter their saviour, Rufus', a used '82 Cadillac Eldorado, the last in a long lineage, and the dream car of a generation. The brothers have very little money, know nothing about car mechanics and have no fixed address in the USA. Can they secure the car and where will the road lead them? For two months they live, breathe, sweat and imbibe the complex cocktail of American musical heritage... Where will the soul of America be found? On the open road? At Al Green!s Gospel Church? At the gates of Graceland? Or in a Downtown Chicago nightclub? Or is the El Dorado they seek lost already? Losing Eldorado - Searching for the Soul of America is the remarkable new book that tells the true story of this epic road trip and the music that made America.
