There’s no mistaking the unique sound of a Sonny Landreth guitar solo. The “King of Slydeco” has been featured as a sideman on tours and recordings by John Hiatt and Jimmy Buffett, as well as many others who want that special sound in their performances. But Sonny has had quite the solo career and Blacktop Run is the 14th release under his own name. This marks his first collection of new songs since the Bound by the Blues record in 2015. His most recent release was in 2017, a double disc recorded live in his hometown of Lafayette, Louisiana, featuring one set of acoustic and one electric.

Blacktop Run offers 10 songs that cover the musical spectrum of everything in Sonny’s repertoire. The title track features fingerpicked acoustic resonator guitar and a great story of hitting the road. “Lover Dance With Me” and “Mule” bounce along on a familiar zydeco beat and welcome Landreth’s trademark slide guitar. The instrumental “Groovy Goddess” offers a jazz-rock fusion featuring plenty of slide work.

Keyboardist/songwriter Steve Conn contributes two songs to the album including the acoustic Delta blues “Don’t Ask Me,” where he stretches out on an accordion solo while bassman David Ranson plays ukulele bass and drummer Brian Brignac sits in on cajón. Conn also wrote “Somebody Gotta Make a Move,” which Sonny believes could become a blues standard.

The instrumental “Beyond Borders” is vintage Landreth with soaring slide guitar over a steady beat. “From the ancient ice melting away / To the burning forest we fight to save,” sings Sonny on “The Wilds of Wonder,” his commentary on the battle for the environment. The instrumental “Many Worlds” features Landreth on both acoustic and electric guitars. It sets the stage for the final song, “Something Grand,” which is the first track in years that does not include a guitar solo.

It has been quite a few years since Sonny Landreth has come out with an album of new material that shows off his many talents. Fans will be happy to hear what the new Blacktop Run adds to his live show setlists.

Sonny Landreth:

sonnylandreth.com

Photos By Robley Dupleix:

instagram.com/robleyd