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Sonny Landreth - Grant Street Audio CD

A fair review of the Sonny Landreth "Grant Street" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Sonny Landreth reviews here, or go back to the Sonny Landreth tabs.

Sonny Landreth Band: Sonny Landreth
Title: Grant Street
Rating:
Release Date: 2005-01-25
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Native Stepson 2: Broken Hearted Road 3: Gone Pecan 4: Port of Calling 5: Blues Attack 6: Z. Rider 7: U.S.S. Zydecoldsmobile 8: Wind in Denver 9: All About You 10: Pedal to Metal 11: Congo Square

A gritty, idiosyncratic live album

He is often dubbed a blues musician, but he really isn't. You may know slide guitarist Sonny Landreth as John Hiatt's sometimes lead guitarist, or as a solo artist playing his own quite inimitable "cajun blues rock", a mix of blues, rock, zydeco, folk, country and pretty much anything else you can think of. . . his music is as closely related to folk and rock as it is to blues, and he certainly doesn't deal all that much in traditional twelve-bar blues, although they do pop up here and there. Landreth is a popular session player, and he can do pretty much anything that's required of him.

"Grant Street" is the only live album in his catalogue so far, and it is a nice showcase for his distinctive playing (he changes his fingering on the fretboard while playing slide, resulting in an unusual and quite original sound).
Sonny Landreth was touring behind 2003's "The Road We're On" when this album was recorded, but surprisingly there's only one song from that album included here, a fiery rendition of the hard-rocking "Gone Pecan". The album opens with two instrumentals, both good, neither quite mind-altering, and the same thing can be said about the other three instrumentals, tracks number 4, 6, and 10, "Port of Calling", "Z Rider", and the appropriately named "Pedal to the Metal".
But Landreth is also a competent, if unspectacular, vocalist, and a more than competent songwriter as is evident on the rollicking "Blues Attack", the swaggering, edgy blues "All About You", and the characteristic electric folk-blues-cum zydeco rock n' roll of the "U. S. S. Zydecoldsmobile".

An eleven-track live album by a highly idiosyncratic singer-songwriter, and four instrumentals among said eleven tracks. Well, I'd say you pretty much have to be a fan, because this album in itself isn't going to turn very many unsuspecting newcomers on to the talents of Sonny Landreth. "Grant Street" isn't very accessible for a live album. . . too many instrumentals, and the "real" songs aren't even all among Landreth's most "pop-friendly", if you will. But those who are already onboard will certainly enjoy this, and concert goers who saw Mr Landreth around this time will nod and say "yep, that's Sonny". I know, 'cause I heard him play a set much akin to this one in Odense, Denmark the year this album came out (I think. Or maybe it was the year before).

A find for fans. Newcomers will be better served by getting to know Sonny through his studio albums "Levee Town" and "The Town We're On", or perhaps the earlier Zoo Records release "South of I-10". And those looking for blues akin to that of Muddy Waters or Son Seals should listen to Sonny Landreth's music before buying, because this is something completely different.


Speed isn't everything
Yet, after trying to like this album for more than a week, I just do not. It should be said that Sonny Landreth is blindingly fast on guitar. And the reason is that my ears detect no soul at all in his playing. I am reminded of several other virtuoso guitarists (Walter Trout and Johnny Winter most specifically) who make an awful lot of noise, but very little listenable music. I am also missing entirely the Blues aspect of this recording. It's rock-and-roll. A little more attention to melody and continuity, and less fret-finger acrobatics, would help a lot.


kick butt music
But it's a lot more than just noise: excellent guitar work, solid vocals. this is about as high energy as a trio could get. not dinner-time music. but if you want music that will blow the roof off your head, this could be it.


Landreth at his best!
Almost all the material from his performance is on this CD and it really showcases his music. I caught Sonny on tour last year and thought he was great. I am really impressed with Sonny and his bandmates in concert and here on the CD. Sonny's voice has really improved over the years and is now a strength. Of course his guitar playing ranges from excellent to phenomenal as always. I think this CD really does catch Landreth at his best. Every fan should own this recording and it's a great place for any newcomers to Sonny's sound to start.


A Little Known Great Ameican Blues Guitarist
My first exposure to him solo was at this years "Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival" outside of Chicago. Sonny Landreth has been kicking around for years and I've seen him as a member of John Hiatt & the Goners. After I got home that night, I immediately went onto Amazon. com and order his live CD "Grant Street". From the opening instrumental "Native Stepson" through the closing trck "Congo Square" this CD is filled with outstanding blues guitar playing and slide guitar playing as well. Other than being from Louisiana, I'm nt sure why he's classified as a country artist. This is pure bare bones Amrican power Blues. I like Sonny's voice too it blends wel with this style of music. He is backed by just a bass player and a drummer but the sound is full and brilliant. I will be purchasing more Sonny Landreth Cd's in the not too distant future. .


You can see a complete list of all Sonny Landreth discography, or go back to the Sonny Landreth tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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