From the Reach

by Sonny Landreth

Overview

Louisiana slide master Sonny Landreth takes his time between releases -- his last studio disc of original material was five years prior to this -- but when they arrive, the wait seems justified. For the debut album on his own Landfall records, Landreth calls in marquee name guitarists Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, Robben Ford, Eric Johnson, and Vince Gill to bolster the visibility factor. Rather than focusing on guitar duals, Landreth wrote songs that incorporate their styles, and occasional vocals, organically into the material. There are plenty of stunning solos of course, but they are integrated into the tunes that stand up just fine without the six-string fireworks. The album's title is a double entendre as "reach" is a body of water and also describes Landreth inviting his guests to be part of the project. The water theme appears in a few post-Katrina songs like the scathing "Blue Tarp Blues ("Air Force One had a heck of a view, lookin' down on the patchwork of the blue tarp blues") and others such as the bluesy "Storm of Worry," featuring Clapton's trademarked licks. Dr. John pays a house call on "Howlin' Moon," bringing his New Orleans piano and backing vocals to a second line burner that shifts into harder-edged rock but maintains its inherent Crescent City vibe. Jimmy Buffett, who sings backing vocals on the track, is virtually inaudible. The lovely ballad "Let it Fly" slows down the mood and sounds somewhat like something that Landreth's old boss John Hiatt might write. Ford sings and plays on "Way Past Long," a terrific meeting of the minds where both contribute guitar and vocals to a funky stomper that is a true collaboration and one of this album's many highlights. Guitar freaks will salivate over the raging instrumentals "Uberesso" and "The Milky Way Home" the latter where Landreth trades riffs with Eric Johnson, whose own style complements that of the headliner. At just over 45 minutes, it's over too quickly, but there isn't a wasted note here. The songs are some of Landreth's most heartfelt, his singing is emotional and understated, the production (Landreth with Tony Daigle, who also engineered) perfectly captures these performances in their swampy glory and the playing, by everyone, is inspired. The guest guitarists do their jobs well, but this would be a strong project even without them, and is surely one of Landreth's finest sets to date. ~ Hal Horowitz

Product Details

Release Date:	05/27/2008
Label:	Proper Records
UPC:	0805520030373

Tracks

1. Blue Tarp Blues
2. When I Still Had You
3. Way Past Long
4. The Milky Way Home
5. Storm of Worry
6. Howlin' Moon
7. The Goin' On
8. Let It Fly
9. Blue Angel
10. Uberesso
11. Universe

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Sonny Landreth   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals
Vince Gill   Featured Artist,Vocals (Background),Guitar,Vocals,Guest Artist
Jimmy Buffett   Guest Artist,Featured Artist,Vocals (Background)
David Ranson   Bass
Robben Ford   Guitar,Vocals,Guest Artist,Featured Artist
Sam Broussard   Guitar (Acoustic)
Mark Knopfler   Guitar,Guest Artist,Featured Artist,Vocals (Background)
Nadirah Shakoor   Guest Artist,Featured Artist,Vocals (Background)
Tony Daigle   Percussion
Steve Conn   Organ,Keyboards
Brian Brignac   Percussion
Eric Clapton   Guitar,Guest Artist,Featured Artist,Vocals (Background)
Eric Johnson   Guitar,Guest Artist,Featured Artist
Dr. John   Piano,Guest Artist,Featured Artist,Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Richard Mullen   Engineer
Alan Schulman   Engineer
Ken Eros   Engineer
Chris Stone   Engineer
Wendy Waldman   Composer
Jim DeMain   Mastering
Sonny Landreth   Mixing,Composer,Producer
Mike Fuller   Technical Assistance
Jim Dunlop   Technical Assistance
Brian Clark   Technical Assistance
Rich Cooper   Engineer
Bob Cooney   Executive Producer
Jason Soileau   Technical Assistance
Jack Spencer   Photography
Steve Lobmeier   Technical Assistance
Larry DiMarzio   Technical Assistance
Tim Godwin   Technical Assistance
Megan Barra   Design
Doug Brown & the Omens   Executive Producer
Andy Farrow   Technical Assistance
Steve Blucher   Technical Assistance
Tony Daigle   Mixing,Engineer,Producer
Chris Finney   Engineer
Chuck Ainlay   Engineer