In search of a long-forgotten blues song, classical guitarist Eugene (Ralph Macchio) befriends legendary bluesman Willie Brown (Joe Seneca) after meeting him in a Harlem nursing home. Brown convinces Eugene to help him find his soul, which he sold to the devil years ago in exchange for achieving blues perfection. As they travel the Mississippi Delta, the pair befriends a runaway girl (Jami Gertz). Ry Cooder composed and performed the score.