Bayou Teche (feat. Sonny Landreth)

#74 in The Need To Know Badass Blues Instrumentals Series, Bayou Teche, features the slide guitar mastery of a name that strikes fear in some and awe in others, Sonny Landreth. Everyone agrees that Sonny is a FREAK! I mean that in the most respectful and loving way. Eric Clapton says "Landreth is one of the most advanced guitarists in the world and one of the most under-appreciated." (Sonny has performed at five of Clapton’s Crossroad’s Guitar Festival.) Not to get too technical but, Sonny has developed his own techniques of fretting behind the slide and a hybrid flat picking and finger style, right-hand technique that leaves us, mere mortals, just scratching our heads. Originally from Mississippi, and a long time Louisianan, Sonny started out in Clifton Chenier's Red Hot Louisiana Band and quickly graduated to playing and recording with John Mayall, Mark Knopfler, John Hiatt, Govt. Mule & Eric Johnson. I’m sad that Sonny and I missed playing together in Hiatt’s band but this is the next best thing. Check it out!

The backing band on this track is Rich Kirch (John Lee Hooker 1984-2001) on rhythm guitar, Andrew Guterman (Rick Estrin) on drums and myself on bass. The track was recorded at Skunkworks in Capitola, CA. The Grammy winning and very bearded, Rob Schnapf (Beck, Booker T., Mavis Staples) brings his mad mixing skills. And as always, masterful mastering by Alex McCollough at True East Mastering.