Sonny Landreth has been called a "musicians musician" and rightfully so. Initially inspired by Blues legends Robert Johnson, Skip James and Mississippi John Hurt, Landreth is one of the premier contemporary slide guitar players and has worked with everyone from Marcia Ball to John Mayall. In addition to recording solo projects and making guest appearances, he's a regular band member in John Hiatt's Goners. While his claim to fame is the Louisiana flavored song "Congo Square", (which was made famous by the Neville Brothers but has also been recorded by Kenny Neal and Chris Daniels) he has steadily gained notoriety as a solo artist in is own right.
The Road We're On is an eclectic record to say the least which is a worthy predecessor to his 2000 Cajun drenched release, Levee Town. Landreth stirs the pot with a dash of Southern Fried blues on "Hell At Home" where he showcases a tasty dobro solo. The straight ahead Rock mood of "All About You" has an Allman Brothers quality and a Zydeco texture manifest on "Gone Pecan". Landreth goes for an authentic delta feel on "Juke Box Mama" with just an acoustic resonator guitar accompaniment. Probably the song that will crossover with the most ease is "Natural World". While it is still down and dirty with some nasty guitar riffs and solo's, it has a radio friendly consistency more so then the rest of the disc.
Sonny Landreth has only been recording solo projects since 1992 and each record has received critical praise. Chock full of well crafted songs and stellar musicianship, The Road We're On will undoubtedly find an even wider audience as Landreth hits the festival circuit this summer.
Your purchase through this Amazon.com link helps to support this website.
Simply click on the cover at left to order this CD NOW!
"This review is copyright © 2003 by Tony Engelhart, and Blues On Stage at: www.mnblues.com, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without permission."
Copyright reuse notice: If you would like to reprint or use this review please include the above copyright notice, contained within the quotation marks, PLUS this statement: "Used with permission." Then send an email to Ray at: mnblues@aol.com indicating how you are using the review or the website page address it will be appearing on. Thanks!
You can help support this blues website by making a contribution (click on the banner below for details).
Or mail a donation to: Ray Stiles % Blues On Stage, PO Box 582983, Mpls, MN 55458. Thanks!
Web Design SPECIAL, get your own website for just $50.
Web Hosting & Design:
Web Hosting & Design.
Most affordable web hosting and design services available.
Find out how you can host your current site at Blues On Stage, or how I can help you design your own website!
If you would like your CD reviewed, please send TWO (2) copies, along with promotional material to:
Blues On Stage
PO Box 582983
Minneapolis, MN 55458-2983
E-mail Ray Stiles @ mnblues@aol.com with any questions.
We build websites