Robben Ford Discussion

AlChuck

Robben appears on two tracks of Sonny Landreth's new CD from the Reach. On "Way Past Long" he sings a verse too. The album features many other special guests, including Eric Clapton, Vince Gill, Mark Knopfler, Dr. John, Eric Johnson.

FatTeleTom · Senior Member Joined: 12 May 2004 Posts: 191

Just picked this up a couple of days ago. So far, very impressed. Writing and performances on par with Sonny's best (and that's a very high standard in my book).

Robben's contributions are excellent, as are those of all the guests.

My favorite tune so far is "The Goin On"--a great twist on the breakup song genre that features some really tasty vocals and guitar work from Vince Gill.

My only quibble so far is that, like almost all CD's these days, it seems to be mastered WAY TOO LOUDLY. Not nearly as bad as many modern CDs, but it still sounds like too much of the dynamics have been crunched out. It's a shame, because most of Sonny's other CDs have had great audio quality.

Still, highly recommended.

telefunk1 · Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 8:44 am Post subject:

New SL? Great news. Even better with RF and other pickers on board. Guess I will l have to head to Amazon.com since the local "music stores" don't have it.

Remember months (years) ago when Anne asked for ideas on how to make RFs website better? This would be a great start - why not have him post a story about recording with Landreth and Vince Gill for this CD? This is the kind of insight that would really improve the website. There is not even a mention of it on his "news" section.

JohnnyZ · Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 3:30 pm Post subject:

rainmkr63 · Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 7:56 am Post subject:

I got this CD Yesterday (Friday) and have given it a few very good listens and I'm digging it.

All the work done by every player is great and the styles of each fit the songs. Ive played along with it a few times and the chord progressions are interesting and grooveeee baby.

The only thing I knew about Sonny was his two songs on the "Crossroads" DVD they are great also, the first song he plays on the DVD is on this new CD.

Eric Johnson plays on one track and its one of my favorites right now, its one of only two instrumental songs.

I have seen Eric Johnson live a few times, I think 6 times. One time I had front row at the Hard Rock Hotels theater the "joint", I lucked out and got front row tickets the day they went on sale. Everyone's favorite poser 'Slash' was in town and EJ asked him up to play "Red House" with him. it was great but Slash was so waisted he was leaning against EJ for support and I have never in my life seen a 3/4" cigarette ash hanging on like that. This ash just hung on, it was a hilarious situation and I hope I never forget it. After that EJ show I didn't pick up my guitar for two weeks, I was so humbled I thought "why bother"...

Rob

telefunk1 · Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 7:28 am Post subject:

Got a copy the other day - great stuff. There is tone, texture and tunes for days on this CD - I have listened to it about 4 times all the way through and still haven't plumbed the depths of what is going on. All the guest pickers contribute a lot to Sonny's tunes. What I like best is that he did not try and write songs around the guests (like a lot of CDs with multiple guest artists) - they rise to his compositions and bring in their individual styles. My favorites so far: the Mark Knopler tune - his voice and guitar just fit with Landreth's and it is good to hear him cut loose with some nasty guitar tones. The Vince Gill tune - again, his voice is perfect harmony tool for Landreth, and he cuts lose with some great licks and tone. What about RF? Some of his best playing and tone IMHO in years. Very raw and loose. When he only gets a few bars here and there he knows how to make them count. Sonny, as usual, is just freakin amazing what he does with a slide and the studio. And the artwork and package design is first class - very nice graphics and "feel" for the music inside the package. Father's day is coming up = make your kids buy this one for you.

Heckuva CD, Sonny!

Budda · Senior Member Joined: 15 Jun 2008 Posts: 80

I've been digging this, too. But, I don't think the audio quality is up to the standards of "Grant Street". That CD sounds like a live show!

Having said that, I really dig this CD! I have always thought that Sonny would sound great in tandem with Mark Knopfler, or Eric Johnson, or Robben Ford, or Daniel Lanois. And 3 of thost pairings happen on this CD. So, it's nice to hear them together, finally.

I think the tunes are great. This disc should hold up, for quite awhile. Now, if we can just get all of these guys to come play in Little Rock! That would be the stuff!

Cheebatone · Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 12:15 am Post subject:

I've heard very good things about this album - I'm buying it today!
_________________
I first started to play guitar 35 years ago... Trouble is, I had 20 years off in the middle.

roadwarriorfortheblues · Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 6:27 am Post subject:

I saw Sonny Landreth in May at Tropical Heatwave, and he played some of the new songs. He also had CDs with him that night, but I couldn't wait in line because another artist was beginning on a different stage. I haven't bought the CD yet, but I'm planning to. I've seen Sonny twice before and I think he sounded different this last time, although I think he had the same band. Maybe he was playing less slide and more fingerplay? He also seemed more relaxed and more talkative in between songs. He and his band are a fantastic live band; don't miss them if they play a venue near you.
_________________
Travelling by train of thought