“fusing blues, Latin, classic R&B, zydeco, Cajun, Tex-Mex, and roots rock” – AllMusic
New frontiers fit nicely atop the boundary-breaking career of singer songwriter and slide guitar icon Sonny Landreth. He has performed live with Buddy Guy and John Hiatt in theaters and arenas around the United States. Also, post-New Orleans Jazz Fest jamming on bayou rhythms with Oteil Burbridge and Johnny Vidacovich. Further, he has recorded and played live with ukulele phenom Jake Shimabukuro at The Blue Note in Hawaii. Thus, it has been a noteworthy couple of years for the two time Grammy nominee. And those are just his side projects.
Landreth explains his continually expanding musical horizons. “One of the things I love about collaborations with other artists is the element of surprise. When the chemistry is there, it is always inspiring to find new twists and turns that up the game creatively.”
What if Americana actually encompassed ALL of North America? You’d have the Franco-Acadian inflections of Canada, as best exemplified by the accordion. Then, you’d have blues and jazz, the U.S.’s most original art form. Also, the lilting grace and fiery passion of the music of Mexico. You’d also have New Orleans’ premiere distillers of this continental musical mélange, The Iguanas.
Their three-decade ride has taken them all over the map musically and geographically. However, the inescapable patina of their hometown infuses every note they play. They have produced eight studio albums among countless tours and Jazz Fest appearances. They survived a flood that did its best to take their adopted city with it. Therefore, it’s a testament to the band’s endurance that the same four guys that started playing in the early 1990s are still together.
Recommended for fans of The Radiators, Paul Thorn, Tab Benoit and Los Lobos.
📸: Robley Dupleix
