SONNY LANDRETH INTERVIEW #2
(Originally aired on June 21, 2012)
One of the most creative guitarists to ever lay glass against steel, Sonny Landreth is known for his soulful blend of blues and Cajun music. Landreth has perfected unusual bottleneck techniques to conjure the sounds of fiddle, accordion and wailing harp, and these earthy tones permeate his 2012 solo album, Elemental Journey. If you’re a fan of Landreth’s groundbreaking sounds and are familiar with his previous work, prepare to be surprised with his 11th solo release. All Landreth’s trademark sounds - the churning, fret-behind-the-slide riffs, bouncy rhythms and fat, soaring lines - are here in spades. But in terms of material, Landreth ventures into new territory with this all-instrumental affair. On Elemental Journey, the Louisiana native reaches for more cinematic textures and grander musical themes than on his previous albums, and he's accompanied by a magnificent string ensemble on many of the pieces.
In our exclusive interview, Landreth explains how he recorded Elemental Journey and describes how he and Sam Broussard developed the string arrangements. We'll hear selections from Elemental Journey throughout the feature.