Song:Congo Square
Album:South Of I-10
Slide guitar whiz Sonny Landreth is mainly a sideman. But he also records as a leader and he had major label success in the 90s. He's one of those guys who is respected by other musicians. He was born Feb. 1, 1951 in Canton, MS but he grew up in Jackson, MS and Lafayette, LA. His biggest guitar influence was Elvis Presley's guitarist Scotty Moore along with Chet Atkins and The Ventures. His first professional gig was in Clifton Chenier's band in the 70s. He was the white boy in a black band. And his time there added Zydeco to Landreth's influences. He recorded a couple of albums as a leader in the early 80s. But they weren't well distributed and Landreth took a job with John Hiatt's band. In the 90s, he signed with Zoo Entertainment's Volcano label. South Of I-10 was released in 1995. Landreth first recorded Congo Square on his 1985 album Down In Louisiana. He wrote it with his long time collaborator bassist David Ranson. They still work together. Musicians on South Of I-10 include Allen Toussaint on piano, Steve Conn on organ, RS Field on guitar and Greg Morrow on drums. Mark Knopfler appears on two songs. South Of I-10 is available as a budget CD. When Zoo closed, Landreth recorded for the bluegrass label Sugar Hill Records. Today he records for the Dutch label Provogue. His latest CD Bound By The Blues was released last year. Landreth is currently on tour. Check him out if he's coming your way. Here's Sonny Landreth with Butch Trucks performing Congo Square. I think this is from the 2010 Crossroads Guitar Festival which is available on DVD.
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