Customer Reviews

Grant Street

5 star:		(44)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Fellow blues lovers, what you are looking at is one the most exiting live album ever released (maybe!). Ok, I would agree with you that it is not 100% blues, however the blues is the base foundation on which the entire performance is based on. After the outstanding "The road we're on" this is the best follow up Mr. Landreth could have ever realised. I think that is pointless to spend too many words about his mastery as slide guitar player, he is just probably the best around. What is remarkable, and it must been pointed out, is the fact that the feeling that pervades the entire concert from start to finish, is absolutely amazing! This CD includes a great selection of songs and all of them feature stunning guitar works that will leave you speechless. From uptempo to slow blues a wide selection of different songs that I am sure will please the tastes of many of you. My favourite cuts are the incredible seven-min. plus version of "Broken hearted road", the monumental "Congo Square" and the absolutely amazing "Wind in Denver". In conclusion this is just a must have CD that will for sure enrich your CDs collection.

Being a Sonny Landreth fan can be really frustrating. The guy does tremendous work as a sideman (working with people like Kenny Loggins, Jimmy Buffett and Mark Knopfler in addition to the people mentioned in the Editorial Review)and puts out exceptional solo albums. He receives glowing praise from people like Eric Clapton, and regularly receives excellent reviews from major publications for his work. So why isn't the release of this album considered a major musical event? Well...it beats the hell out of me!

"Grant Street" is Landreth's newest album, as well as being his first live album. In 11 tracks lasting just over 64 minutes, he demonstrates why he's the slide guitarist of choice. From the first notes of the opening track (his signature instrumental, 'Native Stepson') through the end of the eerie 'Congo Square,' Sonny Landreth pulls out all of the stops. Calling on material from throughout his career, he moves deftly from the slow blues of 'Broken Hearted Road' to the uptempo, driving 'U.S.S. Zydecoldsmobile' and all points in between. If you want to see this album as sort of an audio textbook on slide guitar technique, not many people would contradict you. At the same time the obvious joy with which Landreth plays can be heard throughout.

I started off making the point that being a Landreth fan can be frustrating. There's something else that it can be, though: extremely rewarding. Buy this album, and be rewarded on every track.

Just saw Sonny play in a little blues cafe in Teaneck, NJ that had maybe 150 people in it... 150 very lucky people !!! WOW !!! Now about Grant Street - if you have only 1 cerebral neuron that functions, then this is THE cd to buy ! If this doesn't win blues and rock album of the year I will DEMAND a federal criminal investigation. I would crawl thru broken glass to see Sonny, Dave and Kevin up on the stage blowing EVERYONE AWAY at the Grammy Awards. Oh to see the look on those moron rappers faces when they hear someone with TALENT expose what crap they make. That goes for the likes of Madonna, Brittany and all these other TWITS !!!! GO SONNY GO !!!!!

The quality of this live CD is excellent. This is one of the best live CDs that I have ever heard. Sonny Landreth, Dave Ranson, and Ken Blevins are in their usual nearly perfect form, but the sound engineers that caught this live show did it with style and class.

The audience on this CD is as important as the guitar. Listening to it makes you feel as if you are not just listening to a recording of a live performance, but that you are there at the Grant Street Dance Hall in Lafayette, La. It gives the CD a fun, down home rock'n'roll, let's dance and bang the stools on the floor feeling.

OK, now for the music review...if you are a Sonny Landreth fan, you know the drill. Beautiful, soulful, irresistible, magical guitar work and lyrics backed up by a rhythm section that can't be beat. If you aren't a fan, this CD will make you into one. Just don't take my space in front of the monitors, please.

I was a tad skeptical when I saw that the previous 23 reviewers all gave this 5 stars. I've got to hand to each of you 23...you knew what you were talking about. This is a scorcher!

Not sure there's much I can add that hasn't already been said. You're probably checking these reviews because you're a fan of the slide guitar. You probably already like Derek Trucks, and Luther Dickinson, and Robert Randolph. You'll dig this one...no doubt!

The last time I was this floored by a guitarist and backing band on a live recording was the first time I heard Ronnie Earl's "Blues Guitar Virtuoso Live In Europe". Yes, it's THAT good! Sonny is amazing and the band is tight.

Make that 24 straight 5-star ratings!

If you have already had the opportunity to see Sonny Landreth, Dave Ranson and Kenny Blevins perform, then you know that "Grant Street" is going to be a great CD.

Look at the cuts: "Gone Pecan", "Z Rider", "USS Zydecoldsmobile", "Native Stepson", and the crowd pleasing "Congo Square", which are some of the highlights from South of I-10, Levee Town and The Road We're On.

There's one lick (actually many) on USS Zydecoldsmobile that we were hoping to figure out by seeing him in person --- and we stood there, watched him do it with our jaws gaping and we still didn't understand what he did. Grant Street is full of these licks, techniques and nuances that are his very own. You will certainly understand why Clapton has praised him so highly.

Pure magic! So click on the link above and order your copy today!!!

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I just wanted to add that we traveled to Lafayette, LA for The CD release party at Grant Street. Was awestruck >>>as usual<<< and waited in line afterwards to purchase copies of Grant Street. On our way back to Arkansas, we listened to our CD, keeping that "high" that you get from seeing such fine musicians work their magic. This CD deserves a Grammy, for it's sheer energy, great music and craftsmanship. And if you haven't seen/heard Sonny live, then as I said before, click on the link above, order it today and be prepared to be blown away by each and every track.

I have not heard anything as powerful as this since the late sixties, early seventies. Johnny Winter comes to mind but that does'nt pay Sonny landreth his respect. I have always enjoyed his work with John Hiatt but never imagined he could make music this good. There is not one bad track. If you love Blues/Rock that is full tilt boogie buy this you will not regret it. He Rocks,caress,bites his instrument (the guitar) as if it was his right arm. Three or four instumentals but they rock your socks off along with some originals with his singing. A superb backup band the other Goners help keep it all tight ad drive it home. SRV was great, so was Jimi, Clapton at one time but right now you would have to look at Jeff Beck, Al Di Meola,john McClauglin and Luther Dickinson to find anyone of this caliber playing. This man deserves a grammy for best Blues/Rock cd of the year.Two last words Buy It!!!!!!!

Sonny Landreth is one of the greatest slide guitar players ever, and is even better live. I think that this is his best work yet, and am looking forward to more live albums. I have had the pleasure of seeing him live twice, and if you ever get the chance to go to a show, GO!! It is amazing. Great CD, great live musician.

Sonny is the best slide player alive today period. This album captures his playing like no other. With his cajun and zydeco infuences Sonny has a sound all his own. With his band they create an incredible experience that I personaly thought was impossible to capture. But Grant Street captures it and more, To say this is a traditional blues album would be wrong it is a rockin experience laced with blues, rock, and zydeco blended together. I highly recomend it!!!!!!!!!!

I discovered Sonny Landreth when I 1st discovered John Hiatt, playing "Slow Turning" & "Paper Thin" on Saturday Night Live". Went out and bought the CD and have been a BIG fan ever since! I have about 5 other of Sonny's solo CD's and he's my favorite slide player, and one of my favorite guitar players in general. Here he is playing in a 3 piece band (bass & drums)and shows what a really talented musician he is. The bassist & drummer are excellent and it's amazing the sound these 3 guys can put out. Sonny's slide playing is so expressive in not only his choice of notes, but his way of playing them. He colors his notes & phrases with deft changes of tone and finger touch that he often sounds like a harmonica and other instruments. Truely one of the great masters of slide. In this day and age of over produced bands who rarely can produce a consistant live show, it's great we still have some that are still out there keeping it real.