CD Review: Sonny Landreth, From the Reach

The music on this CD is an homage to a lot of great guitarists – including Sonny himself.  The slide guitar work is awesome.  The album is a veritable cornucopia of talents, with guitarists like Mark Knopfler, Eric Clapton, Robben Ford*, and Eric Johnson.  The first time I listened through this CD, and The Milky Way Home played, I said to my son, “That sounds reminiscent of Cliffs of Dover“.  Sure enough, it was Eric Johnson accompanying Landreth.  If you like crisp complex guitar riffs, this track will not disappoint.   The slide guitar is a great complement to Johnson’s ear wax clearing playing.

Each of the accompanying musicians offers their own musical influence and distinctive stylings.  Unlike some musicians (thinking of Vince Gill in particular – although he is fantastic), Landreth seems to revel in incorporating the talents of his guest artists into his music without feeling the need to take center stage in domineering fashion.  The result is a cool collaborative sound.  Knopfler’s guitar work is readily discernible but not overpowering – it’s part of the entire composition, but you don’t listen to Blue Tarp Blues and think it’s a Knopfler song, you think Knopfler is collaborating on this.  The same can be said of Eric Clapton’s participation on Storm of Worry.

The CD is not solely about guitar work, though.  Dr. John makes a distinctive appearance on Howlin’ Moon.  The piano and slide guitar solos on this cut are memorable.  Supposedly Jimmy Buffett also participates on this track, but I can’t pick him out as well.  I can tell that someone is singing, but Buffett’s voice is just not that distinctive on this song.

In addition to Dr. John and Jimmy Buffett, Vince Gill appears on three tracks.  The listener will have no problem picking him out in The Goin’ On.

As for Landreth’s voice, it is somewhat reminiscent of a Tom Petty without the quaver.  He definitely grows on you.

*I think I am going to have to add some Robben Ford to my collection soon, as this CD has brought him to my attention.