"I've wanted to make this kind of record for a long time – to do an entire album that would feature some of my favorite players as special guests,"– Sonny Landreth
"From the Reach," Sonny Landreth's ninth album, is the first to be released on his own Landfall label. On it, the Louisiana–based slide guitar wizard does something unprecedented in his body of work, as he collaborates with five of the greatest guitar players on the planet – Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, Robben Ford, Eric Johnson and Vince Gill – for some jaw–dropping performances.
Also making a house call is legendary New Orleans pianist and singer Dr. John and iconic Gulf Coast troubadour Jimmy Buffett. On the opener, "Blue Tarp Blues," Sonny trades solos with Knopfler, and the aural contrast between Sonny's shimmering slide and the Dire Straits leaders' biting Strat is a textural treat. Clapton cuts loose on the following "When I Still Had You," adding his soulful voice to the choruses as well. Slowhand then wails on "Storm Of Worry", a spooky slow blues reminiscent of his Bluesbreakers era. "The Milky Way Home" is a powerful instrumental rocker that features Eric Johnson on delectably distorted guitar passages that morph into his trademark violin–like sound.
"The Goin' On" shifts into a country rock groove, with Vince Gill and Sonny alternating guitar solos and lead vocals. Robben Ford brings his soulful tone and phrasing to "Way Past Long" and "Blue Angel (the latter with Gill on backing vocals), as Landreth swaps his trusty Strat for a Les Paul. Each of these performances is an extraordinary showcase of brilliant players reacting to each other in supremely inspired fashion.
