ALBUM REVIEWS

Sonny Landreth ELEMENTAL JOURNEY LANDFALL RECORDS 28.5.12 @www.vanguard-online.co.uk A name like Sonny Landreth conjures up an impression of Deep South slow burn blues and add to this the description of Louisiana Slide Wizards and you don’t have to be a genius to guess what’s in store on Elemental Journey. For me, Blues is the foundation for all guitar based music ever created, the influence it’s had on musicians is well documented to I was really looking forward to this album. It doesn’t hold anything back, with the opening track Gala Tribe featuring Joe Satriani and it’s his signature that is all over the start. The album opener is a little too modern for my tastes and Sonny Landreth’s talent is sucked into Satriani virtuoso but it’s a great track and ‘For You And Forever’ has a bluesier edge to it that is more in tune with my initial expectations. ‘Heavy Heart Rising’ has a more traditional undertone to its sound when compared to other more upbeat tracks like ‘Wonderide’ but the collaboration with Eric Johnson on ‘Passionola’ and its delivery of six string audio heaven really sticks it to your soul. There is Spanish plucking, Caribbean steel on the collaboration with Robert Greenidge and more classical guitar sounds on display here that is easy on the ears as it is technically impressive. The album is pure instrumental excellence, showcasing a modern blues guitarist’s ability out front and solo but also in unison with some of the greatest players around today. It exudes passion and finesse in a way that went against my initial preconceptions but exceeded those hopes in an unexpected way. Another keeper! Simon Mulholland www.sonnylandreth.com Email Links & Comments to the editor Check the latest album releases