Sonny Landreth - Blacktop Run

by Lisa Torem

published: 10 / 4 / 2020

Label: Provogue Records
Format: CD

Louisiana guitarist Sonny Landreth joins forces with a team of instrumental stalwarts on his new album

Review

Grammy-nominated guitarist Sonny Landreth, perhaps best-known for his immaculate skill on slide, has made multiple appearances at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival and has been known to speak with great enthusiasm about performing his unique repertoire live. ‘Blacktop Run,’ his follow-up album to 2017’s ‘Recorded Live in Lafayette’ is infused with massive energy and it’s immediately felt; there is an infectious vibe steaming through this new work suggesting that it proudly deserves a place amongst the best of the best-of. The band consists of bassist David Ranson, drummer Brian Brignac and keyboardist/songwriter Steve Conn. Producer RS Field, a long-term colleague, and co-producer Tony Daigle add to the dazzle of this ten-track project. On the title song, Landreth’s voice is delightfully echoed by his signature, bluesy electric guitar. The first unapologetic Instrumental ‘Lover Dance with Me’ is a full-blown extravaganza, reminiscent of an earlier musical period. That said, ‘Mule’ slides an arrow through the hardest country heart; the award-winning guitarist resolutely nails this solo, whilst keeping up the contagious Americana swell. Landreth digs even more deeply for nuance in the bass-heavy instrumental ‘Groovy Goddess’. ‘Somebody Gotta Make a Move’ conveys a straight-ahead story about a conflicted lover using Hammond B-3 as its tour-de-force. The extended outro. truly shimmers. Another instrumental ‘Beyond Borders’ is a terrific ensemble piece which juxtaposes vivacious keys, boastful electric guitar and brawny bass. Then, ‘Don’t Ask Me’ gets down to some real raw basics. The blues harp solo comes as a delightful and extremely well-crafted surprise. The vocals take on a distinctive personality. ‘The Wilds of Wonder’ moves along at a satisfyingly fast clip; the exciting electric guitar solo commands prompt attention. ‘Many Worlds,’ the third instrumental, is decidedly dreamy. ‘Something Grand’ features a folksy accent; a contrasting aspect of Landreth’s multi-faceted persona. The finger-style guitar, offset by deep string effects, is hauntingly beautiful.

Track Listing:-

1 Blacktop Run
2 Lover Dance With Me
3 Mule
4 Groovy Goddess
5 Somebody Gotta Make A Move
6 Beyond Borders
7 Don't Ask Me
8 The Wilds Of Wonder
9 Many Worlds
10 Something Grand