Welcome back to Guitardoor.com, where we celebrate the true innovators who created a sound that was completely new. Today, we’re heading down to the bayou to explore the music of one of the most unique, technically brilliant, and respected slide guitarists of all time: the incredible Sonny Landreth. Known as “The King of Slydeco,” Landreth is a true “guitarist’s guitarist,” revered by legends like Eric Clapton and Mark Knopfler for his revolutionary technique that allows him to do the seemingly impossible: play notes and chords behind the slide, creating a sound that is rich, complex, and utterly magical.
The Sound of the Bayou
Sonny Landreth’s musical style is a rich and flavorful gumbo of American roots music, deeply steeped in the culture of his native Louisiana. His sound is a brilliant and infectious blend of swampy, soulful blues, the energetic, accordion-driven rhythms of Zydeco and Cajun music, and the heartfelt storytelling of a true singer-songwriter. His music is not just inspired by his home; it sounds like his home—warm, mysterious, joyous, and full of life. He is a complete artist, with a smooth and gentle voice that perfectly complements the incredible intricacy and soulfulness of his guitar playing.
Anatomy of a Sorcerer
The genius of Sonny Landreth’s playing lies in his completely unique and revolutionary approach to the slide guitar. He single-handedly created a new vocabulary for the instrument.
The Fretted Slide Technique: This is his most famous innovation and the key to his magic. While most slide players place the slide over a fret, Sonny uses his other fingers to fret notes and form chords behind the slide, which he wears on his pinky finger. This allows him to play complex harmonies, contrapuntal melodies, and intricate chords at the same time as his soaring slide lines. The result is a stunningly rich and orchestral sound, as if two or three guitarists were playing at once.
Fingerstyle and Thumbpick: To execute this complex style, he uses a thumbpick and his bare fingers. This allows him to maintain a high degree of independence between the bass notes, chords, and the slide melody, further enhancing his one-man-band approach.
The Stratocaster and Dumble Tone: His sound is deeply connected to the Fender Stratocaster. The clarity and bell-like tones of a great Strat are the perfect vehicle for articulating the incredible detail in his playing. His amplified tone is the stuff of legend among gear aficionados. He is famous for his use of ultra-rare and incredibly sought-after Dumble amplifiers. These amps are renowned for their incredible touch sensitivity and a smooth, singing overdrive that perfectly captures the expressive, vocal-like quality of his slide playing.
Essential Landreth: A Masterclass in Slide
Sonny Landreth’s discography is a brilliant exploration of Louisiana music and his groundbreaking guitar technique. To get a sense of his incredible talent, these three tracks are a perfect starting point.
“Congo Square”
This is his signature instrumental and the definitive showcase of his “Slydeco” sound. “Congo Square” is a swampy, funky, and rhythmically infectious track that is a true masterclass in his unique technique. His ability to blend percussive, fretted notes and chords with his fluid slide melody creates a mesmerizing and complex groove that is impossible not to move to.
“U.S.S. Zydecoldsmobile”
A fun, upbeat, and joyous track, this song perfectly captures the high-energy spirit of Louisiana Zydeco music. Over a classic, accordion-driven two-step rhythm, Landreth’s slide guitar dances and weaves, sounding like a wild party on the bayou. It’s a perfect example of his ability to integrate his sophisticated playing into a traditional, feel-good song.
“Instrumental”
This beautiful and atmospheric instrumental demonstrates the incredible soulfulness and subtlety of his playing. The piece is a sonic landscape, using shimmering, sustained slide notes and delicate, behind-the-slide embellishments to paint a picture of the mysterious and beautiful swamp lands of his home. It proves his playing is as much about emotion and texture as it is about jaw-dropping technique.
Sonny Landreth is a true innovator and one of the most important slide guitarists to emerge since the days of Duane Allman and Ry Cooder. With his revolutionary “behind the slide” technique, he single-handedly created a new and beautiful language for the instrument. He is a revered master and a true original whose soulful music and incredible, sorcerer-like talent have earned him a special and deeply respected place in the history of the guitar.
Cover Photo Credit “Sonny Landreth” by bcymet is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0
