Search - Sonny Landreth :: Down In Louisiana

Cajun/Zydeco fun

Nobody important | 08/24/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It is good to see this album available again. This is Landreth's most clearly Cajun recording, and the most similar to what he used to play with zydeco king, Clifton Chenier. There is no accordian here, the blues influence is not quite as strong as in real zydeco music, and there isn't much here with a Cajun waltz feel to it, but as long as you aren't looking for a pure sound, that shouldn't bother you. This album is just some fun, upbeat music with some killer slide guitar playing and some fine harmonica playing from Mel Melton. This is not an album of guitar solos like South of I-10, and this is not a melange of styles like Levee Town, so if you are looking for either of those things, don't expect to find them here. All you will find here is some good, fun music. If this is the kind of thing you are looking for, also check out Clifton Chenier, particularly any of the Red Hot Louisiana Band recordings from after Landreth joined the band in 1979. For those looking to broaden their horizons on this type of music, consider listening to Leftover Salmon's "Ask the Fish" album to hear the sounds of polyethnic cajun slamgrass. Also, Anders Osborne's "Ash Wednsday Blues" is a fine mix of rock and New Orleans sounds. Finally, for another New Orleans twist on blues, try John Mooney's "Against the Wall" (which also has some damn fine slide guitar playing)."

Sonny Landreth does the impossible..

P.J. Le Faucheur | Canada (ex- U.K. resident) | 05/12/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This mans technique defies description and he must've exercised alot of patience in order to acquire it. There hasn't been a slide player like him EVER! He holds down chords whilst still playing a slided note and quite frankly what he plays with a slide most players can't when fretting normally. Although I have total respect for other slide players past and present (e.g. Hound Dog Taylor, D. Allman, Lowell George, Bonnie Raitt, Roy Rogers etc...) Mr. Landreth seems to have taken the whole thing 10 steps further.Cajun Zydeco features highly in Sonny's repertoire. He started in Clifton Cheniers band as a teenager and never looked back.

This recording was done in the early 1980s when Landreth was in his mid 20s.

There isn't one bad track on this c.d. You can feel the excitement and enthusiasm on every track. "Congo Square", which is Sonny's anthem, is a standout track and listen to his sweeping slide on the slow accordion blues "If I Ever Get Lucky".

"Ay, Ay, Ay" really is alot of fun and is full of zydeco energy."Sugarcane" is very much in the same veign.

This man should be a huge star in the category as Mark Knopfler but i think his modesty and humility prevents him from being so."

The best...even after a long time

L. Williams | Austin, TX USA | 04/24/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Still a favorite, this Sonny Landreth CD is a keeper. "Congo Square" is hypnotic and makes you want to dance! So glad to see it's still going strong. I'm taking a copy along with me to share with friends in Europe. The band I'm in loves playing "Everybody's Breakin'..." and it's a big hit whenever we play it! Sonny is a guitar master and brings his roots to his songs to share with a wider audience. If you haven't been bitten by the Zydeco bug yet, Landreth is a great into the music (along with Buckwheat Zydeco). Get up and dance!! This music was made to party!!!"