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Sonny Landreth — Soldier of Fortune
Album: Outward Bound
Avg rating:
6.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1215









Released: 1992
Length: 4:36
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Burning with a passion turning into greed
The wandering fever caught ahold of me
Breaking out across the ocean to far away lands
Where people speak in tongues I don't understand
Coming and going
Going till I was gone
I never meant to hurt you, baby
I never meant you wrong
Rambled like a story
In a tug boat captain's song
The delta took me winding off
From where I once belonged
Choking buses
Risky planes
Last look exit off the Pontchartrain
If searching for treasure
I'd know what to do
Be a soldier of fortune and fight for you
Some folks are easy
To settle down real nice
Some will cut corners
For a notch in this life
Others they are driven
By a restless need
I guess that's the thing that sits next to me
On...
Choking buses, risky planes
Last look exit off the Pontchartrain
If searching for treasure I'd know what to be
A soldier of fortune and fight for thee
Choking buses
Risky planes
Last look exit off the Pontchartrain
If searching for treasure
I'd know what to do
Be a soldier of fortune and fight for you
Burning with a passion turning into greed
The wandering fever sure caught ahold of me
Rambled like a story
From a tug boat captain's song
The delta took me winding off
From where I once belonged
Comments (112)add comment
 cc_rider wrote:

Man, this guy just smokes it. The live version of 'Congo Square' will work you into a lather...
c.


I  Agree!   Big time!
 sfoster66 wrote:

Bill G, as a generality, loves artists that sound like this.  Blues, slide guitar...you know the sound.  We get lots of it here on RP.   And I see that many of my fellow listeners enjoy it as well.  But for me, I find it all very direvative and so very similar.  Just like some folks find reggae like that.  

Anyways, as a genre, I simply can't dig the blues.  I've tried over the years to appreciate it, but my ears/brain just refuses to hear anything other than the same song played 10 different ways.  Whether its pasty white English kids or straight outta the bayou...its all the same.  I'd rather some more jazz (which can really challenge me) or some jangle pop or some straight up driving have-to-turn-that-shit-up rock.  I've even gone to a couple of blues concerts and left thinking that it was some of my least favorite music experiences of my life.  And I've seen just about every type of music perfomed in settings grand and intimate.  But it's always been the blues that has eluded me.

So, all this to say...what is it that you guys like about this?  I don't get it.  Am I missing something or is it cultural?  What do you hear here other than a guy showing that he owns a guitar?  And rather than smashing the down thumb to disagree with my luddite comment, give me something to consider...thanks...

I came at the blues backwards, first Cream and Led Zeppelin, then Bonnie Raitt, back when she played a lot of straight up blues.  The first time I saw her,  Junior Wells and Buddy Guy opened for her and the second time it was Muddy Waters.  Anyhow, you're somewhat right about it's limits.  There are only a few basic rhythms in traditional blues.  The thing about the blues is the feeling of it.  For me, the feeling is that we're all in this together, whether we like it or not.  Perhaps a suggestion.  I probably have less in common with Howlin' Wolf than any other American male, but his music is some of the most accessible blues for me.  Not very happy with my answer, but your question deserved something.

Bill G, as a generality, loves artists that sound like this.  Blues, slide guitar...you know the sound.  We get lots of it here on RP.   And I see that many of my fellow listeners enjoy it as well.  But for me, I find it all very direvative and so very similar.  Just like some folks find reggae like that.  

Anyways, as a genre, I simply can't dig the blues.  I've tried over the years to appreciate it, but my ears/brain just refuses to hear anything other than the same song played 10 different ways.  Whether its pasty white English kids or straight outta the bayou...its all the same.  I'd rather some more jazz (which can really challenge me) or some jangle pop or some straight up driving have-to-turn-that-shit-up rock.  I've even gone to a couple of blues concerts and left thinking that it was some of my least favorite music experiences of my life.  And I've seen just about every type of music perfomed in settings grand and intimate.  But it's always been the blues that has eluded me.

So, all this to say...what is it that you guys like about this?  I don't get it.  Am I missing something or is it cultural?  What do you hear here other than a guy showing that he owns a guitar?  And rather than smashing the down thumb to disagree with my luddite comment, give me something to consider...thanks...
Definitely South of I-10. Go Sonny Go!
Man, this guy just smokes it. The live version of 'Congo Square' will work you into a lather...
c.
Love the new Lossless player. Awesome. A definite 10.
Damn! For a second I thought we were about to hear "Black Dog"!!
He doesn't look like that any more, but he surely does still sound like that.
If you ever get a chance, see this guy play live. He's freakin great. 
Nice tune! {#Music}
Speaking in tongues, sounds like a friend at the door.
Had the opportunity to see him here in Vancouver last week, best show I've seen in a long time. The man sure can play that slide guitar!
Haven't seen him do this one and it's gonna be on the "requests" list next time he plays here.
One of the only rock and roll dudes who picks with all five fingers.
 westslope wrote:
I like it.  Maybe it helps having run into so many mercenaries over the years....

 
PSDs? Unity, Harris and Garda were the best. The rest were just cowboys.

/Route Irish to BIAP 
I like it.  Maybe it helps having run into so many mercenaries over the years....
Cheeeeeeezzzzzyyyyyyy

 
Thank you Poacher!  Good rockin 
I hear some Lyle Lovett in this, except this tune has more of a rock punch in the middle.
 Awambrebalte wrote:

Indeed
{#Good-vibes}
 
Awesome.Thanks for sharing!
 JIan wrote:

 Poacher wrote:

To save you searching. . . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_CUzuitxSI 

I can confirm it is well worth watching. I had not realised how much I dance like John Hiatt. Splendid.

 
Many thanks for the link!
 
Indeed
{#Good-vibes}
 Poacher wrote:

To save you searching. . . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_CUzuitxSI 

I can confirm it is well worth watching. I had not realised how much I dance like John Hiatt. Splendid.

 
Many thanks for the link!
 Cynaera wrote:
Oooo - It be the Landreth-man.  Got my foot tappin,' a grin spread across my face, and the speakers vibrating.  Yep - loves me my Sonny Landreth.{#Dancingbanana_2}
 
Ditto!! 
 rabbi_phil wrote:


There's an 8 minute video on the net of Sonny and John Hiatt just killin'  "Riding with the King". It's Hiatt at his very best and Landreth just slidin' along.It's really most extremely very excellent.
 
To save you searching. . . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_CUzuitxSI 

I can confirm it is well worth watching. I had not realised how much I dance like John Hiatt. Splendid.

 rabbi_phil wrote:


There's an 8 minute video on the net of Sonny and John Hiatt just killin'  "Riding with the King". It's Hiatt at his very best and Landreth just slidin' along.It's really most extremely very excellent.
 
you are right on - that's a super-tasty cut.
 Cynaera wrote:
Oooo - It be the Landreth-man.  Got my foot tappin,' a grin spread across my face, and the speakers vibrating.  Yep - loves me my Sonny Landreth.{#Dancingbanana_2}
 

There's an 8 minute video on the net of Sonny and John Hiatt just killin'  "Riding with the King". It's Hiatt at his very best and Landreth just slidin' along.It's really most extremely very excellent.

This ain't country in my books.Why do you think it is? Because he plays slide guitar? Because he has soem nice finger picking gooing on. Sonny always seems to have a Little Feat feel to me.
Stingray wrote:


What is "good country"...?

You mean liberal one? Those without cowboy-hat?
Pot-smoking cowboy-musicians?

Never heard of that!

I always thought they're all "Jesus Camp" freaks!

Hey, that's not my quote! Mine was the soup du jour joke. Brought that all the way from New Orleans. Man, I would like to see the world through your eyes for ten minutes. Come visit!

 Pyro wrote:

one of the few he HASN'T worked with! 

From Wiki: Sonny Landreth has performed on many other artists' albums, including albums from Little Feat, Jimmy Buffett, John Hiatt, Waterline, John Mayall, Bobby Charles and The Goners. He has performed with Bonnie Raitt, Mark Knopfler, Steve Conn, Gov't Mule, Mike Gordon, Bernie Worrell, and Buddy Guy, among others. Landreth performed at both Clapton's 2004 Crossroads Guitar Festival, as well as returning in 2007 as the opening act at Eric Clapton's 2007 Crossroads Guitar Festival in Chicago, Illinois.
 
He worked on "John Mayall Featuring the Bluesbreakers - A Sense of Place."

 Businessgypsy wrote:
There's country and then there's dumb country. This is the latter! Get rid of it!!

 

What is "good country"...?

You mean liberal one? Those without cowboy-hat?
Pot-smoking cowboy-musicians?

Never heard of that!

I always thought they're all "Jesus Camp" freaks!

 fitzworld wrote:
There's country and then there's dumb country. This is the latter! Get rid of it!!
 
There are a smart comments and there are dumb comments. This is (an example of) the latter!

Sounds a bit oldfashioned, but is not "soooo" bad
as the previous poster thinks!

I can live without it too, though!
I give it a "6"


Dear Radio Paradise,
Why do you keep playing this crap?! Read the rating. It's awful! Please stop torturing us! Please!!


Oooo - It be the Landreth-man.  Got my foot tappin,' a grin spread across my face, and the speakers vibrating.  Yep - loves me my Sonny Landreth.{#Dancingbanana_2}
fitzworld wrote:
There's country and then there's dumb country. This is the latter! Get rid of it!!
Waiter! You call this soup du jour? I've traveled extensively, and this is not soup du jour! Get rid of it!

There's country and then there's dumb country. This is the latter! Get rid of it!!
I Love me some Sonny Landreth yeah!
Oh THANK YOU RP for this discovery! I am going to get the CD...
smokin hot guitar
meh on the vocals
Me love it loooong time
Smokin' guitar player who writes fairly mundane songs. He's great with John Hiatt's band, though
Just discovered he's going to be at the Waterfront Blues Festival this summer. I will definitely have to catch him live.
 Downunda wrote:
Did he work with John Mayall at some time?
 
one of the few he HASN'T worked with! 

From Wiki: Sonny Landreth has performed on many other artists' albums, including albums from Little Feat, Jimmy Buffett, John Hiatt, Waterline, John Mayall, Bobby Charles and The Goners. He has performed with Bonnie Raitt, Mark Knopfler, Steve Conn, Gov't Mule, Mike Gordon, Bernie Worrell, and Buddy Guy, among others. Landreth performed at both Clapton's 2004 Crossroads Guitar Festival, as well as returning in 2007 as the opening act at Eric Clapton's 2007 Crossroads Guitar Festival in Chicago, Illinois.


 sdn wrote:
Lyle Lovett called — he wants his voice back. ;-)
 
Nailed it! I was scouring my feeble brain for the connection, and that's it.

Sonny Landreth is the real deal. LOVE his 'Blue Tarp Blues' too.

c.
Did he work with John Mayall at some time?
Sing-songy
Lyle Lovett called -- he wants his voice back. ;-)
Sonny Landreth put on one of the most smoking hot live shows I've ever seen -- upstairs at the Rock n Bowl in New Orleans during Jazz Fest 4 or 5 years ago. I somewhat knew and liked his music beforehand, but the live show blew me away. Afterwards we went downstairs to see the Iguanas -- completely unknown to me at that time, but after seeing them live, now one of my favorite bands. Thank God for New Orleans!
Brestois wrote:
I discovered this amazing guy years ago while still living in the homecountry of the smelly cheese. South Of I-10 was just out and you could listen to it at the shop (man, my local shop was something. Beats all those HMV and co. that line the streets of Dublin). Been hooked since then. But to echo some of the previous comments, I never ever found someone who knows Sonny's music. They will all be:"Hey, that's good, what is it?" Sonny Landreth "Who?" Sonny Landreth "Don't know him" The French can't even pronounce it, that bleeding "th" sound you see. One day I'd like to book a trip to get to see him play Grant Street.
If you book that trip, let me know. I'm in Louisiana, and I've never seen him live. Lafayette (Grant Street location) is a 4 hour drive, but I'd do it if you come across the pond!! Landreth is best known among recording artists for his studio work, but I really enjoy his solo stuff, as well. Congo Square is played a little too much here, and I think there are better examples of Sonny's incredible talent available. This is not one of his best.
Thank you Sir, May I have some Mule please?
Pyro wrote:
Eric Clapton said it best about Sonny Landreth: ..."he may be one of the most underappreciated guitar players of our time..."
And the ending of that quote is: ''...and one of the most advanced.''
I discovered this amazing guy years ago while still living in the homecountry of the smelly cheese. South Of I-10 was just out and you could listen to it at the shop (man, my local shop was something. Beats all those HMV and co. that line the streets of Dublin). Been hooked since then. But to echo some of the previous comments, I never ever found someone who knows Sonny's music. They will all be:"Hey, that's good, what is it?" Sonny Landreth "Who?" Sonny Landreth "Don't know him" The French can't even pronounce it, that bleeding "th" sound you see. One day I'd like to book a trip to get to see him play Grant Street.
Anything by Sonny Landreth is ok with me. On Congo Square - go for the live version. Absolute steamroller guitar over a really cookin Bo Diddley groove.
His version of Congo Square simply kicks ass! I'm not crazy about this one, but a fan just the same.
outrageous. The longer it plays the better I like it.
All the pickers like him. Nuff said
started off as perfectly good background music. then the solo pulled me in.
buddy0407 wrote:
I HIGHLY recommend this entire CD. Very impressed that RP plays Sonny. I've only known one other person in the past five years who even had any of his records.
In a weird aside,my chiropractor brought him up one time during a treatment. Only other time other than here I've seen or heard a reference to him. edit-I meant other than from my brother who turned me onto him
When the song first began, I was reminded of a Daniel Lanois song . . .
I HIGHLY recommend this entire CD. Very impressed that RP plays Sonny. I've only known one other person in the past five years who even had any of his records.
I REALLY like this guy. How can you not. If you not that is.
he has the haunting slide riff on Loggin & Messina's "Angry Eyes"
denizenusa wrote:
Plese, with the cheap effects!
Plese, with the crppy a key...
I know this may sound strange, but vocally he really reminds me of Stevie Wonder. Then again any M. Ward reminds me of Zep's Physical Graffiti so, y'know, don't listen to me... In fact why am I writing this?
Pyro wrote:
Eric Clapton said it best about Sonny Landreth: ..."he may be one of the most underappreciated guitar players of our time..."
And for this reason I don't rate this tune as high...I really could use a better Sonny sample. Pretty good at best.
love this guy
Good stuff!!
Pretty special! Slippery, understated guitar work.
Eric Clapton said it best about Sonny Landreth: ..."he may be one of the most underappreciated guitar players of our time..."
GREAT!!!!!!
Wisecrowe wrote:
i'm pickin' up what this cat is laying down, what a groove!
I'm hep to these vibes too.....
Plese, with the cheap effects!
lukekingland wrote:
8 or so in my book. It's funny to see how different people's tastes in music really are!
Well, that's a good thing, I guess! :-)
i'm pickin' up what this cat is laying down, what a groove!
Being a critic means I can boldly say that this great song awesomely mixes gospel, blues and southern boogie in unknown but pleasant quantities.
That would now be "... the last underwater exit off the Ponchatrain."
If your gonna play this style then get out some David Bromberg!
Catch Sonny on Mark Knopfler's "Night In London" DVD. Great slide!
This song fools me every time. The opening always tricks me into expecting "Lips Like Sugar" by Echo & the Bunnymen.
Great morning music!
Great guitar sounds... I like!
Pyro wrote:
This man is a highly respected slide player and session musician. Thank God his fellow musicians have more taste than his detractors here! This is not his best work, I will admit. 7
Some session musicians shine on their solo work, many do not.
Pyro wrote:
This man is a highly respected slide player and session musician. Thank God his fellow musicians have more taste than his detractors here! This is not his best work, I will admit. 7
I hear ya Pyro! I love watching some of the comments on Bill's forums, especially when they come from people with a limited musical horizon and an infinite ability to judge what they think they are hearing. Example...Kid on another thread thought that Love Reign O'er Me by The Who sounded like Novemebr Rain by Guns'nRoses and that The Who were copying GNR! 8O I nearly fell out of my chair! But hey...what are you going to do!
8 or so in my book. It's funny to see how different people's tastes in music really are!
This man is a highly respected slide player and session musician. Thank God his fellow musicians have more taste than his detractors here! This is not his best work, I will admit. 7
ottonorse wrote:
Maybe it's my morning mood - but I vote this goes into the shredder
Right, in y'go.
WonderLizard wrote:
Also, "Levee Town" and the new live disc "Grant Street".
As well as "The Road We're On" (2003)
IndyDoug wrote:
SL is one of the best slide guitarists around. I highly recommend his album "South of I-10".
Also, "Levee Town" and the new live disc "Grant Street"--'e got blistahs on 'is fingahs...
phineas wrote:
Ah, you were always good for a laugh, joey. We miss you! (no we don't)
(whispering) Is he gone?
if leo kottke and lyle lovett had a love child ...
why can't there be negative ratings? if enough people gave this a negative, would the world spin backwards and delete this from all existance?
joe1 wrote:
Absolute shocker...!!...Barf!!
Ah, you were always good for a laugh, joey. We miss you! (no we don't)
SL is one of the best slide guitarists around. I highly recommend his album "South of I-10".
ugh. this gets my 2, for now. perhaps it will grow on me one day.
He is great live. Saw him in Austin solo a couple of years ago. Extremely talented guitarist. Well worth seeing.
All's I know is, South of I-10 is one of the most innovative slide guitar showcases I've ever heard and a great album to boot. I should give this album a listen. Hiatt is lucky to have him.
It beats the poop out of all that new age crap.
Whoo-hoo!
Maybe it's my morning mood - but I vote this goes into the shredder
Nashville Ryman Auditorium bound to see Sonny and Sir John Hiatt...with Robert Cray opening..WOW am I psyched! :D
Yeah, nice little toe tapper this one.
Great tune, nice acoustic string work, toe tapping, table pounding, fun music.
Originally Posted by rmurray248: If "Sonny" can play this well, I can't wait to hear "Daddy!"
His "Daddy" might as wel be Johnny Winter!
Sonny sure can play. This whole CD is worth checking out.
This was the most amazing song I have heard all night (on my 3rd cup of coffee if that tells you how long I\'ve been listening tonight). Very fresh!
his website.
If \"Sonny\" can play this well, I can\'t wait to hear \"Daddy!\"