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Sonny Landreth — Congo Square (live)
Album: Grant Street
Avg rating:
7.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2723









Released: 2005
Length: 10:03
Plays (last 30 days): 0
might be superstition but some kind of somethin'
goin' on down there
it might be superstition but some kind of somethin'
goin' on down there
it's an old time tradition when they play their
drums at night in Congo Square

you can hear 'em in the distance
and the old folks up the bayou say a prayer
you can hear 'em in the distance
and the old folks up the bayou say a prayer
that's when the voodoo people gather
and they play their drums at night in Congo Square
... voodoo people


my eyes were not believin'
what I seen there but I could not turn away
my eyes were not believin'
what I seen there but I could not turn away
they had that mojo in motion
and I seen 'em dance in trance with that snake
... snake dance

it might be superstition
but when I hear 'em in the night I say a prayer
yeah it might be superstition
but when I hear 'em in the night I say a prayer
because I respects tradition
like the kind they carry on in Congo Square
... Congo Square
Comments (231)add comment
So instantly recognizable. I hadn't explored his solo stuff prior to RP, even then I heard the first bit of guitar and thought...JOHN HIATT!

Saw him with Hiatt way back, oh boy can he play. 
extreme awesomeness one of my few 10s. 
I just can't stop turning this up....
Dire Straits for "clean" guitar...Landreth and Healey for slide.
..and this just *rocks*
 lizardking wrote:

I must be almost average then, as I turned 45 five weeks ago.  

Skewing "being average" though I have to go +1 to 9 on this 7.6 avg rating tune.  It's just that good and sounds great played LOUD.  

Long Live RP and Proclivities' song comments!!



I Agree on all counts!!   
 eileenomurphy wrote:



Thanx to RP, NOW you have! ..GREAT STUFF! ...I heard sonny here first, too! ...Thanx RP!

Emoji replies still not working 

 
Every time this track comes up  (and I catch it) I buy another Sonny Landreth CD!
 Proclivities wrote:

It seems very few of the people who listen to this station fit the descriptions of the "kids" you are talking about.  Judging by the highest rated songs and the general commentary, the average age of listeners here is probably over 45.


I must be almost average then, as I turned 45 five weeks ago.  

Skewing "being average" though I have to go +1 to 9 on this 7.6 avg rating tune.  It's just that good and sounds great played LOUD.  

Long Live RP and Proclivities' song comments!!
10:03 of BLISS!!!  SUPERB!!!  
This, like the appropriate volume to listen to it at, is a solid 11.

Actually, I have been exploring his work and you'd be very hard pressed to find a less-than-excellent track.
Great tune!!! How about playing some other Sonny tunes!
GREAT!!!
 nmb wrote:

never heard of this guy ...which obviously was bad luck on my side.




Thanx to RP, NOW you have! ..GREAT STUFF! ...I heard sonny here first, too! ...Thanx RP!
EXCEPTIONAL!!!!!!!!!
Amazing track.  Open your minds, people.  take a trip to Nawlins in your mind.
 Silvervanman wrote:

Sums it up. I feel sorry for kids who've grown up with overdone vocal effects that make it sound like people are "singing" underwater, twee elevator tunes that could be written by a machine, and copycat rapping over really awful backing tracks that you wouldn't even use to jam along with.

It seems very few of the people who listen to this station fit the descriptions of the "kids" you are talking about.  Judging by the highest rated songs and the general commentary, the average age of listeners here is probably over 45.

Not my cup of tea, still amazing.
outstanding guitar man and songster.  Not enough of  GREAT jam bands left.
never heard of this guy ...which obviously was bad luck on my side.



Where is SRV??
 misterbearbaby wrote:
The weird off-kilter criticism mus be from folks who might never have heard the great jam bands of yesteryear including, but not limited to, Jimi Hendrix Experience, Grateful Dead, and the Allman Brothers which I think comprise a certain stream of Mr. Landreth's roots. This fellow is dishin' up fine, smokin'-hot, jazz-drenched jamming at it's finest. If you spent your formative years with your 50-cent iPhone earbuds plugged up your orifices, listening to simple repetitive, jingly little tunes that sound like TeeVee commercials, I can see how the intensity and power of this music might, ...er, ...escape you. This dude is the real deal, cut his teeth playing behind Clifton Chenier... plays a completely unique slide style. A god of the guitar.
 
Sums it up. I feel sorry for kids who've grown up with overdone vocal effects that make it sound like people are "singing" underwater, twee elevator tunes that could be written by a machine, and copycat rapping over really awful backing tracks that you wouldn't even use to jam along with.
 givendale wrote:
I fucking hate this piece of music.
 
Got it.... You h8.
Nice slide guitar work of course but I also like the drums on this track
 stegokitty wrote:
It started off well enough but just never seemed to end. I can only take so much noodling from even the greatest bands but this was just too much. Great musicianship, no doubt, it just became tedious after a while.

And before anyone suggests that I have ADD or a lack of patience, that's simply not true. I can watch movies that most folks call "boring" and understand the pacing (such as the extremely long shots in Stanley Kubrick films ... or see the "cake scene" in the film "A Ghost Story".  I simply haven't the bandwidth for needless (seemingly) neverending noodling. It's why I don't listen to Phish.
 
Ever hear of dancing to a really jamming song in a crowded, sweaty bar? This would pack the floor for that reason, my friend. Me included. Rave on!

Edit: Full disclosure--I was dancing while I wrote the above
I can understand getting lost in long jam session frustrating for some. But Sonny is Kung Fu to my ears. I first heard him on this station and had no clue. I then one afternoon shooting camera at blues festival was focused on the sunset in the distance over the crowd for my shot. I had no clue he was at the festival and with my back turned to the stage upon his first note you could hear on the recording "holy shit that's my man Sonny."  I couldn't believe it and since then I have seen him a dozen times. SO thanks for the introduction. 
 stegokitty wrote:
It started off well enough but just never seemed to end. I can only take so much noodling from even the greatest bands but this was just too much. Great musicianship, no doubt, it just became tedious after a while.

And before anyone suggests that I have ADD or a lack of patience, that's simply not true. I can watch movies that most folks call "boring" and understand the pacing (such as the extremely long shots in Stanley Kubrick films ... or see the "cake scene" in the film "A Ghost Story".  I simply haven't the bandwidth for needless (seemingly) neverending noodling. It's why I don't listen to Phish.
 

I have to agree, 
It started off well enough but just never seemed to end. I can only take so much noodling from even the greatest bands but this was just too much. Great musicianship, no doubt, it just became tedious after a while.

And before anyone suggests that I have ADD or a lack of patience, that's simply not true. I can watch movies that most folks call "boring" and understand the pacing (such as the extremely long shots in Stanley Kubrick films ... or see the "cake scene" in the film "A Ghost Story".  I simply haven't the bandwidth for needless (seemingly) neverending noodling. It's why I don't listen to Phish.
I bought this CD. Glad I did. This guy is an absolute madman. An alchemist. Eric Clapton doffs a hat in the liner notes. Nuff said.
 fforgetso__ wrote:
 Paradisealan56 wrote:
0.13- 0.56! Must check out if he drops tuning to Eb? D even.
 I think people might underestimate the level of technique needed to do what this guy is doing.
I'm a music lover and a bit of a musician myself, but I had never heard of this fellow (so much for my 'credits').
I strongly dislike sliding guitars since it seems only used for musical genres I do not care for much, but MAN how hard it is to believe that this is a LIVE recording?!
Flawless, strong and clean playing, guided by a seemingly capable band this impressed me thoroughly.
Can't help but end with the allmighty saying here: well done Bill! (also: well done Sonny but I'm sure he won't give a hoot as to my review of his skills   )


 
He's fantastic live!
 Paradisealan56 wrote:
0.13- 0.56! Must check out if he drops tuning to Eb? D even.
 I think people might underestimate the level of technique needed to do what this guy is doing.
I'm a music lover and a bit of a musician myself, but I had never heard of this fellow (so much for my 'credits').
I strongly dislike sliding guitars since it seems only used for musical genres I do not care for much, but MAN how hard it is to believe that this is a LIVE recording?!
Flawless, strong and clean playing, guided by a seemingly capable band this impressed me thoroughly.
Can't help but end with the allmighty saying here: well done Bill! (also: well done Sonny but I'm sure he won't give a hoot as to my review of his skills   )


I just gave up 10 minutes of my life to...ROCK OUT
I bet Sonny will melt your face with those sick guitar licks!  Wow!  
The first 14 hours were ok but then I lost interest
The last third was just sensational.
Delicious chugging harmonics!
0.13- 0.56! Must check out if he drops tuning to Eb? D even.
Dis funky as. get me on the dancefloor for sure.
that's what I'm talkin' about! {#Chef}
Killer mo fo
He's my guitar hero, for sure.  Someday I will be lucky enough to see him in concert.  
I was gonna give it a 10 just to level the balance of the naysayers..... can't quite understand how Sonny Landreth could be unrecognized as a guitar hero. I'm gonna see him in Portland Maine couple of weeks from now with John Hiatt. I'll give you all a concert review and see where it goes from there.....
The weird off-kilter criticism mus be from folks who might never have heard the great jam bands of yesteryear including, but not limited to, Jimi Hendrix Experience, Grateful Dead, and the Allman Brothers which I think comprise a certain stream of Mr. Landreth's roots. This fellow is dishin' up fine, smokin'-hot, jazz-drenched jamming at it's finest. If you spent your formative years with your 50-cent iPhone earbuds plugged up your orifices, listening to simple repetitive, jingly little tunes that sound like TeeVee commercials, I can see how the intensity and power of this music might, ...er, ...escape you. This dude is the real deal, cut his teeth playing behind Clifton Chenier... plays a completely unique slide style. A god of the guitar.
Something strange just happened. I gave this an 8, but suddenly I can't hear any music at all, no melody, no structure, just some guys improvising something without form. Sure it's got all the ingredients of a great rock number, but they're not put together in any meaningful way, at least not for me, sorry {#Frown}
Surprised there are so many negative comments. And Sonny Landreth sounds like somebody else? Whah? It ain't everyone's cuppa, but there's no one else like him.

Live performances rarely translate well as recordings, this is no exception. I still give it a 9. I bet being there was transcendent.
c.

edit: some other guy seems to like him okay:
"[He is] probably the most underestimated musician on the planet and also is probably one of the most advanced." ~Eric Clapton. 
{#Fire}Stop. This. Song. NOW!
what a solo ,,, 
very good — sounds like that other dude
 ElCamoteLoco wrote:
I bet this would have been outstanding to see live, but for my money the studio version on South of I-10 has it beat. That gets a 10.

 
Yea, he was here a few years ago at fairly small club and it was indeed outstanding.
 mread wrote:

Could you be more specific?

 
Not really, it's an all over kind of thing.

{#Stop}{#Beat}{#Wall}
 givendale wrote:
I fucking hate this piece of music.

 
Could you be more specific?
Love it. Perhaps it helps to be from New Orleans… 
"A quick look at your 1 ratings..." I'm sorry, but that just strikes me as creepy.
 PockettVenus wrote:
Sorry, not my thing. Too much self indulgent fret wanking. When will it end?! {#Frustrated}

 
Track is 10:39 minutes
stunning work and lovely drumming too. fantastic performance here.
Excellente
 givendale wrote:
I fucking hate this piece of music.

 
Yeah, the guitar playing may be technically very good, but the irritating tone makes it unlistenable to me.
Mondegreen: "when I seen that butt I could not turn away."
 givendale wrote:
I fucking hate this piece of music.

 
Don't hold back. Tell us how you really feel.
 givendale wrote:
I fucking hate this piece of music.

 
lol, say what you really mean. 
I fucking hate this piece of music.
Wonderful feelings here!
outstanding!
I bet this would have been outstanding to see live, but for my money the studio version on South of I-10 has it beat. That gets a 10.
Jeez Man. How long does this go on for ? {#Foot-in-mouth}
 ch83575 wrote:

A quick look at your 1 ratings includes a lot of my favorite songs... lets just chalk it up to different strokes.

1 - Warren Zevon - Bad Karma
1 - Led Zeppelin - Living Loving Maid (She's Just A Woman)
1 - David Bowie - Blackstar
1 - Neil Young - Like a Hurricane
1 - Big Brother & the Holding Company - Summertime
1 - Bahamas - Lost In The Light
1 - Crosby, Stills & Nash - Dark Star
1 - Richard Thompson - Beeswing
1 - The Band - Stage Fright

I hate this song, BTW. 



 
Yes, you're right, and that's what makes RP such a wonderful place to spend our time :)

By the way, I absolutely still stand by those ratings, but I'm glad you enjoy them. 
 DaidyBoy wrote:
7.4? WTF?  29 people gave this a 1! How does that work, guys?

 
A quick look at your 1 ratings includes a lot of my favorite songs... lets just chalk it up to different strokes.

1 - Warren Zevon - Bad Karma
1 - Led Zeppelin - Living Loving Maid (She's Just A Woman)
1 - David Bowie - Blackstar
1 - Neil Young - Like a Hurricane
1 - Big Brother & the Holding Company - Summertime
1 - Bahamas - Lost In The Light
1 - Crosby, Stills & Nash - Dark Star
1 - Richard Thompson - Beeswing
1 - The Band - Stage Fright

I hate this song, BTW. 


 DaidyBoy wrote:
7.4? WTF?  29 people gave this a 1! How does that work, guys?

 
Please be kind, some ppl can only count to 2 or 3
I don't think I've hear this b4 - solid 9
{#Bananasplit} 
 Imkirok wrote:

I thought Clapton said that about Mark Knopfler?

 
Mark Knopfler and Sonny Landreth are the only guitarists I can identify just by their playing (i.e., without prior knowledge of the song or other information).
 DaidyBoy wrote:
7.4? WTF?  29 people gave this a 1! How does that work, guys?

 
let's make it an even 30...I hate prime numbers
7.4? WTF?  29 people gave this a 1! How does that work, guys?
I thought it was Joe Satriani!
But hey, I enjoy Sonny Landreth just as much....
 Imkirok wrote:

I thought Clapton said that about Mark Knopfler?

 
Joe Bonamassa is the best guitarist on the planet.

Then there is Jeff Beck. 
Picks with all 5 fingers
I don't know who it is, but the drummer deserves some credit for this performance, too.  Doing what needs to be done, and doing it well.  Always there, never in the way.

  I've the adress and adressee.
Some kick-ass Blues!
Please no more Sonny.  Make it stop........it hurts.....it hurts{#Stop}
Sorry, not my thing. Too much self indulgent fret wanking. When will it end?! {#Frustrated}
 ThePoose wrote:


deflower me when it's on
 
I'll bring a defibrillator over, it should work for both of us.{#Twisted}
 izycrzy wrote:
Defibrillate me when it's over
 

deflower me when it's on
 ecojot wrote:
best guitarist on the planet. Clapton said so too.

 
I thought Clapton said that about Mark Knopfler?
I turn up the volume everytime you play Sonny!!
 
Gonna be another great day thanks to Sonny and RP. Listening to this last night with my bro.
best guitarist on the planet. Clapton said so too.
The Mask
Defibrillate me when it's over
Superb, in every sense of the word.  ↑ 10.

ps everyone involved in this needs recognition, not just the man himself.  This is bangin'.
SO much better than the Neville cover!

I just came back from jazz Fest (New Orleans) and saw Sonny at the weirdest (best) place .....Rock-In Bowl

You can bowl or you can watch a great blues show.


 donroll wrote:
I like my blues rock Sonny side up!  Great way to start a London Saturday morning.

 
Or end an LA day :)
fact - Sonny is brilliant - good to here him here. He's done some great acoustic slide stuff

fact? - Congo Square is the birthplace of jazz. 
 Stingray wrote:
Assuming you are drunk, assuming you have some other substances in your blood (like sugar)
assuming it is a LIVE-concert.,..

Of course it's great! 

Of course you think that moment it's the best you have ever heard!

Just....

REALITY IS DIFFERENT! 

 
Just like when you think your comments are great at the moment you type them. Then they get posted up on the thread, and just SUCK.


{#Dancingbanana_2}
A boo-bop-a-doodle-wop   bow bow bow
A boo-bop-a-doodle-wop   bow bow bow
wow wow weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Woo-Hoo this song puts a world-wide hoodoo on my ass!!!
In essence this is most boring!

When played on the radio - and not live!

Sonny - you exaggarate! This is not music!

You masturbate! 

PS
I admit: I slightly exaggarated! 
Assuming you are drunk, assuming you have some other substances in your blood (like sugar)
assuming it is a LIVE-concert.,..

Of course it's great! 

Of course you think that moment it's the best you have ever heard!

Just....

REALITY IS DIFFERENT! 
I swear to you lads, this is what Louis XVII must have called bayou trance at the time....
Rrrrrrockin'!!!!!
 
I like my blues rock Sonny side up!  Great way to start a London Saturday morning.
Shootin' for the moon, Crash landing in the Crescent City.
Doing me some Sonning!  Gets ya moving inside and out!
just Blew thru Midnight on a Sonny Wave
Man, you can tell from the mix that his amps are CRANKED and this is LOUD! Smokin! {#Dancingbanana_2}
Perfect!
Some of the guitarwork reminds me of the live album Hoarse by 16 Horsepower. And the almost mathematical approach to Dream Theater.
Gave it an 8 but dont like the progress of the song. 7.
Had lunch in Breaux Ridge on Wednesday, too early for Crawfish, but at least they had Sonny on the sound system. Lunch was good too.
Did get to see him a few months ago in Vancouver.
The man can play, and then some.



Also, he's not full of himself, doesn't need to grimace, strike ridiculous poses or indulge in self-adulation.      
I can barely get a comment written down here while I'm dancing my ass off!
 wrangler wrote:
just back from jazzfest - love that n'awlins!  saw the black crowes in a theatre just off congo square  {#Cowboy}
 
--->  MEGAJEALOUSY.   
Yowza!  Sonny rips it up on this, doesn't he?  NOLA is one of my favorite cities in the world: hot and nasty, but the evenings bring out the food, drink, and adventure!
Yeah! This guy can channel Stevie-Ray and yet still be himself rockin all over the place!
Screamin' geetar right there. {#Motor}
just back from jazzfest - love that n'awlins!  saw the black crowes in a theatre just off congo square  {#Cowboy}
Looking forward to seeing Sonny at the Doheny Blues Fest this year!!
{#Bananajam}
 WonderLizard wrote:
A guitar player's guitar player. Dude's amazing, especially live.
 
I don't play guitar myself, but I think he is terrific. Can't even think of adjectives/adverbs to describe what I feel...
{#Bananajumprope}   Everybody in my swamp loves this!   .{#Motor}
 helgigermany wrote:
Thats my music! Yeah, yeah, yeah!!
 

Oh YEAH, mine too {#Good-vibes}