Sonny Landreth: The Road We're On

By GRAHAM REID

(Herald rating * * *)

Louisiana guitarist and singer Landreth made his name on the six string with the likes of New Orleans' legend Allen Toussaint, zydeco star Clifton Chenier and John Hiatt's Goners where he blended slide and finger-picking styles into something unique.


He pops up as guest on Dr John albums and on his last solo outing Levee Town had Bonnie Raitt, Hiatt and Jennifer Warnes guest on his. Exceptional guitarist he may be, but his albums are kneecapped by his journeyman vocals and songwriting which leans heavily on melodic cliches.


Accusations of originality are seldom thrown. So this album has all the same highpoints as his previous ones - exceptional slide playing that conjures up the Allman Brothers, spectacular country-styled pickin' with a cajun-flavoured rock'n'roll heart - but also the tedium of the familiar (boogie rhythms, predictable chord progressions).


As with his previous albums, the queue for guitar players form on the right; the rest of us will walk on by.

Label: (Sugar Hill)