Sonny Landreth
Grant Street

Sonny Landreth finally takes the stage with a live album, the best slide guitarist out there today. A musician with a unique talent, endowed with enviable technical preparation, yet distinguished by great modesty, which has made him the musician's musician. Alongside his solo career, he is also an esteemed session musician and has played for many famous artists. From Gov't Mule to John Hiatt to John Mayall, the list of his collaborations on others' records is truly long, attesting to Sonny's skill.

Recorded over two nights at the Grant Street Dancehall in Lafayette, Louisiana (just a stone's throw from his home), the live album highlights all the guitarist's potential in his ideal habitat, on stage. Supported by a now-tight band (he is joined on stage by the trusty David Ranson on bass and Kenneth Blevins on drums), he sets the Grant Street stage ablaze with his blend of rock, blues, and zydeco. The star of the evening is the leader's slide, which starts immediately ablaze in the opener "Native Stepson." Here, his guitar hisses like a rattlesnake, supported by the precise and powerful rhythm section. A grand opening. The pace slows down, however, with the second track. A slow blues ballad entitled "Broken Hearted Road," where the guitarist shows all his love for the blues with a truly outstanding performance, with the guitar still dominating the scene (Sonny starts singing only after two minutes). Of a completely different mold is "Gone Pecan," a captivating tune that mixes rock blues with typically Cajun sounds. A track with a wild tempo, reiterating that our man hails from Louisiana, the land of blues, Cajun, and zydeco par excellence. Expressive is "Port of Calling" where a chilling melodic turn gives great intensity to the track. "Blues Attack" is one of our man’s signature pieces. A compelling and murky rock blues, with fine work on the six strings and a chorus that hooks on first listen. Stunning. "Z Rider" is the instrumental prelude to what may be one of Landreth's most famous tracks, "Uss Zydecoldsmobile." An intoxicating zydeco blues rhythm where hypnotic guitar loops blend with the powerful rhythm backed by bass and drums. Unreleased is "Wind In Denver," a classic blues loop played with great mastery and technical skill. The blues returns with the following "All About You." A special mention goes to "Pedal to Metal," another unreleased song included in the album, a compelling new track, ideal for slide evolutions. An instrumental where all of Landreth's skill and versatility shine through in its purest form. Truly an extraordinary musician, endowed with an exquisite touch.

The album closes with what I consider the best song ever written by the guitarist: "Congo Square." A track that manages to encompass the swampy sounds of Louisiana, the bayou, zydeco, with the purest blues. A whirlwind of sounds, colors, and emotions that captivates and engages from the first listen. A wonderful piece, built entirely on pauses and restarts where the band lets loose and plays as if it were a single entity. A long jam that stretches beyond ten minutes, more engaging and captivating than ever. This is a testament to Sonny Landreth's great talent on the slide (always assuming there was any doubt). A musician, good Sonny, born to play the blues and who lives every single note emanated from his guitar. A big round of applause also goes to the talented David Ranson and Kenneth Blevins, who, with great technical skill, support their leader with a constantly varied and precise rhythm section. In short, if you love blues and slide guitar, you can't miss out on this wonderful live album. Sonny Landreth is, without a shadow of a doubt, the best slide guitarist on the scene today.