From the Reach (Landfall): A-
Bayou slide guitar master Landreth didn’t need the help of Eric Clapton, Robben Ford, Dr. John, Mark Knopfler and Eric Johnson to make “From the Reach” his finest album yet by far. But it sure didn’t hurt. His interludes with Clapton and Johnson are especially glorious and thoroughly organic. Yet what makes it the best of Landreth’s six studio albums is the leap his songwriting has taken in the five years since his last. Penetrating lyrics (the killer Katrina lament “Blue Tarp Blues”) meet fresh new blues and Louisiana-based melodies (“Howlin’ Moon”) in an explosion of creativity. Formerly an exciting guitarist who could sing and write competently, Landreth’s performance on “From the Reach” marks his debut as a complete musician. Download: “When I Still Had You.”
