Sonny Landreth
Born in Mississippi, relocated to Lafayette, Louisiana, Sonny Landreth was immersed in the great Swamp-pop and Zydeco music of the area. He picked up a variety of musical styles playing with some of the best musicians on the Louisiana scene, while developing his considerable songwriting skills. One of Sonny's first professional gigs was with Zydeco legend Clifton Chenier.
Landreth's guitar capabilities landed him work as a sought-after session musician. He has played on records by John Hiatt, Bonnie Raitt, Zachary Richard, Freddy Fender, John Mayhall, Kenny Loggins, Beausoleill, Junior Wells, Dolly Parton, Maria Muldaur, Allen Toussaint, and Mark Knopfler. He hasn't really played on a big hit record, but he has played vital roles in other artist's careers.
The first thing guitar players do when they discover Sonny Landreth is scratch their heads and wonder how on earth he played what they just heard. He uses a slide but his strings are high off the frets and he is able to finger notes behind the slide. This totally unique style results in some of the most fascinating sounds heard from an electric guitar. Facilitating this new technique is a myriad of different tunings on his guitar. He uses so many different tunings that he has pioneered the use of an automatic guitar tuner mounted on his instrument.
Sonny played the trumpet as a teenager and uses hints of the articulation of the instrument on the guitar.
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Album Review
- Recorded Live in Lafayette by C. Michael Bailey
Extended Analysis
Album Review
- The Road We're On by C. Michael Bailey
- Levee Town by C. Michael Bailey
February 17, 2014
Guitar Legend Robben Ford Announces Guitar Dojo Camp with Sonny Landreth
May 01, 2012
Bluesman Sonny Landreth to Teach and Perform at 3rd Annual Crown of the...
April 04, 2012
Sonny Landreth's 11th Album, 'Elemental Journey,' is First...
April 02, 2009
Sonny Landreth Reissues 'Levee Town' CD with Unreleased Tracks
April 21, 2008
Sonny Landreth Taps Clapton, Knopfler, Dr. John, J. Buffett and More on...
Photos
Sonny Landreth Concerts
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Jul9Fri | |
Jul15Thu |
Albums
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