Customer Reviews

Levee Town

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It's been 5 long years since Sonny Landreth's last album, and that's too long. But man, it was worth the wait. This album is fantastic! First rate in every way. Landreth has written some great songs in these last 5 years,and his singing is as strong as ever. And he still has that trademark tone from his slide guitar that sounds like nobody else around. This guy is definitly the show pony of all sliders. It simply doesn't get any better than this. With special guests on this album like Stephen Bruton, John Hiatt, Bonnie Raitt, and Jennifer Warnes, and production from Mike Post, this is a heavyweight album. Some favorites on here are the fast cajun feelgood song "U.S.S. Zydecoldsmobile", "Turning With The Century", which has got Landreth's trademark slide and a very New Orleans sound, but with a rock and roll edge. And "Broken Hearted Road", which is the bluesiest sounding song on here, with a slow Delta style groove and great singing. There's not a weak song to be found on here. So If you want to hear some great deep southern rock and roll gumbo, I recommend you visit Levee Town. You'll be glad you did.

Wow...I have been studying the art of slide guitar for a while. Let's be clear on this, after hearing Levee Town, I am convinced that Sonny Landreth is not even from this planet.

For those of you who have heard Sonny's work previously, this album is a bit more laid back than either Outward Bound or South of I-10, yet the slide work is by far, light years beyond what I have heard from him thus far. For those of you who have never heard him before, be prepared. You'll never hear anything like it again.

The opening track, Levee Town, is highly contagious. A foot tapping number that's very dancable, but make no mistake, Sonny gets right to some aggressive and impressive slide guitar work. U.S.S. Zydecoldsmobile is equally motivating and upbeat. I believe this CD is the closest thing to party music I have heard Sonny release. Throughout the CD he explores folk, contemporary, cajun and blues genres with flair and maturity. I recommend you buy two copies of this CD; you're gonna wear the first one out.

For those of you who might be new to Sonny's work, I have always described him this way...if Ry Cooder was the Eric Clapton of slide guitar, then Sonny Landreth would have most certainly been the Joe Satriani...he's just that good.

I can't think of enough superlatives to describe this cd. It is so outstanding. Sonny's writing has gone to a new level , and if you close your eyes and listen, he will take you on a journey thru the "Deep South" on the "USS Zydecoldsmobile". Along the way you'll rock, do a little two step, sing along and marvel. Songwriting this good is usually mentioned in reverential tones in regards to such writers as Richard Thompson or Bruce Springsteen or Robbie Robertson. Sonny cares about the craft of the song and it shows. Oh, have I mentioned that he is the best damn slide guitarist in the solar system as well. He has found a range of tone that exists in that tapping harmonic zone that no one else dare touch because it requires too much skill and study. Except Sonny lives there. Sonny , in a review for "South of I-10" I said "where are you and phone home". Well , welcome back, it was worth the wait and I hope I get to see you in Colorado some time, because if not,well I guess I'll just have to go to Louisiana again. You guitarist out there, buy this. Those of you reading these reviews, its no bull, this guy is this good. There are millions of music fans who dont know a thing about music running the music stores and programming the radio. Don't let that deter you from Sonny Landreth. Gotta go, the Zydecoldsmobile has to stop for a Mardi Gras run.

If David Lindley had come from the Bayou, he might sound a bit like this. While Landreth lacks some of Lindley's playfulness, his mature writing makes up for it. This is the type of album that gives me hope for the future of blues-based music. While Landreth is easily one of the most skilled slide guitarists around, that isn't why I love this album so much. What impresses me more than anything is the stylistic originality. Landreth has truly crafted his own unique sound, and a bit more than on South of I-10 (which, don't get me wrong, is a brilliant album), this album shows his ability to bring together a unique array of sounds, blending equal parts blues, rock, country, cajun and creole. If you are into this kind of blending of blues with other genres, check out the following other musicians: as mentioned above, David Lindley, who blends slide blues, rock, reggae and an odd assortment of other forms is probably closer to Landreth than almost anyone else (although Landreth is still in a stylistic realm all his own); Corey Harris (particularly on Greens from the Garden) does a unique blend of blues and cajun; Tony Furtado (particularly on Roll My Blues Away, and if you can find it, his latest self-titled album) blends masterful slide blues, banjo bluegrass, Celtic, folk and some jazz; Chris Whitley (particularly Dirt Floor) has an almost completely original and gripping vision of acoustic country blues; and finally, for those slide blues enthusiasts, my personal favorite, Kelly Joe Phelps (particularly Roll Away the Stone, and Shine-Eyed Mister Zen) is the most amazingly skilled slide guitarist I have heard in years, and plays blues songs that are structured like jazz improvisations. With musicians like these, all of whom are masters of slide blues guitar, the future of music is looking bright.

I'm a guitar player for a number of years who has only recently become interested (obsessed?) with slide guitar. Sonny is phenomenal. Dead on intonation while playing fast, difficult slide parts. Great technique is only the delivery mechanism for some really heart felt music. He somehow takes virtuoso guitar, with blues/zydeco/rock influences, and the tradition of great southern storytellers and makes it cohesive. His performance at the NO Jazz Festival was intelligent, inspiring and was a great introduction to his music. I feel very fortunate. I came home and bought this CD and was glad to hear he wasn't an artist who only came across live. With the diversity and uniqueness of his style I thought that might be the case. Well it's not so you should go out and get this CD. I have ordered some of his other recordings as well and expect more of the same; a great BLEND of music styles with mind-blowing guitar playing.

As a big fan of Outward Bound and South of I10, I can say, he's done it again. Levee Town combines toe-tapping, two-stepping songs like Levee Town and ZydecOldsmobile, with the more romantic Love & Glory and Soul Salvation. The ability to tranport you to Lousiana combined with excellence in slide guitar playing makes this a must for any music lover even if you've never tried this kind of music before. I first saw Sonny Landreth at a music writers show at the Ace of Clubs in Nashville in the early 90s and have been drawn to his music ever since. Last month I happened upon tickets to see Beausoleil in my hometown, imagine my surprise to see him on stage. Wow!! I jumped on line the next day to purchase Levee Town and haven't stopped playing it since. Buy it and play it in your car, every now and then check the mirror, you WILL be smiling. PS. anyone know where I send fan mail?

Wow. Lyrically beautiful, musically masterful and just great fun to listen to. Sonny, "Levee Town" is worth the wait in gold. I'm moved by "Love and Glory", taking a ride in the "U.S.S. Zydecoldsmobile" and I can't stop dancing to "The Deep South". This collection of songs has already become one of my favorite recordings. I love living in the Levee Town.

Although this is a solid album, squarely in the Landreth tradition of swampy cajun/zydeco/slide blues, the 2-disc version is ridiculous: Together the two discs only total 73:57, and thus they could clearly have been combined onto one album, with bonus tracks!

I purchased the original release of Levee Town when it came out in 2000 .This re-issue includes 5 songs that weren't released with the 2000 debut , all of them worth the purchase price alone ! Sonny has performed Pedal to the Metal live many times before and released it as a live version on Grant Street , but the studio version is absolutely mind blowing ! Old Flame features Sonny playing a very soulful slide , and he almost makes his guitar cry real tears .. There are some guitar licks on this album that are absolutely amazing and the sound quality appears even better than the orignal release . Thumbs straight up!!!!

Originally released in 2000 by Sugar Hill, Landreth's album is augmented on this reissue with five tracks from the same era. As on last year's From the Reach, Landreth proves himself a guitar hero whose music runs deeper than his incomparable slide work. His songs, all seventeen are originals, are more than showcases for his instrumental prowess. To be sure, his powerful slide playing is a dominant voice, but his vocals are roughly melodic and emotional, his blues are seasoned with second-line rhythms, and his lyrics chronicle the people, stories and ghosts of his native South. He sings of social and political pressures, but also finds time to revel in the delights of a comically oversized Oldsmobile.

The album's basic tracks were produced in Los Angeles by Mike Post, and then finished by Landreth and R.S. Field. The results are occasionally too polished, and the edgy guitar harmonics can sound dated; yet when Landreth is left to indulge his guitar playing, such as on the standard blues "Broken Hearted Road," the results are electrifying. The power-trio instrumental "Z-Rider" with a Zydeco double-kickbeat neatly evokes the open throttle thrills of trail riding, Bonnie Raitt adds a superb harmony to "Soul Salvation," Michael Doucet plays fiddle on "Love and Glory," and horns add sparkle to the album's last two tracks.

The bonuses were recorded between 1998 and 2000, with the same core quartet as the album, and sweetened for this reissue. Fans of Landreth's slide playing will enjoy the four instrumentals, but the sleeper is a fetching duet with Jennifer Warnes, "For Who We Are (The Night Bird Sings)." The deluxe packaging includes a tri-fold digipack, a 28-page booklet, complete lyrics and an additional two-page insert with the bonus disc. Those who own the original might be inclined to get the whole package for its remastered audio, but the bonus tracks, particularly the Warnes duet are the real sweetener. [©2009 hyperbolium dot com]