Sonny Landreth — Congo Square
Album: South of I-10Avg rating:
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Total ratings: 3923
Length: 6:13
Plays (last 30 days): 3
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might be superstition but some kind of somethin'
goin' on down there
it might be superstition but some kind of somethin'
goin' on down there
it's an old time tradition when they play their
drums at night in Congo Square
you can hear 'em in the distance
and the old folks up the bayou say a prayer
you can hear 'em in the distance
and the old folks up the bayou say a prayer
that's when the voodoo people gather
and they play their drums at night in Congo Square
... voodoo people
my eyes were not believin'
what I seen there but I could not turn away
my eyes were not believin'
what I seen there but I could not turn away
they had that mojo in motion
and I seen 'em dance in trance with that snake
... snake dance
it might be superstition
but when I hear 'em in the night I say a prayer
yeah it might be superstition
but when I hear 'em in the night I say a prayer
because I respects tradition
like the kind they carry on in Congo Square
... Congo Square
goin' on down there
it might be superstition but some kind of somethin'
goin' on down there
it's an old time tradition when they play their
drums at night in Congo Square
you can hear 'em in the distance
and the old folks up the bayou say a prayer
you can hear 'em in the distance
and the old folks up the bayou say a prayer
that's when the voodoo people gather
and they play their drums at night in Congo Square
... voodoo people
my eyes were not believin'
what I seen there but I could not turn away
my eyes were not believin'
what I seen there but I could not turn away
they had that mojo in motion
and I seen 'em dance in trance with that snake
... snake dance
it might be superstition
but when I hear 'em in the night I say a prayer
yeah it might be superstition
but when I hear 'em in the night I say a prayer
because I respects tradition
like the kind they carry on in Congo Square
... Congo Square
Comments (304)add comment
A great spooky segue to Yellow Moon, Kudos, Bill, or should that be Baron Samedi? :o)
lizardking wrote:
I'll add Sonny Boy Williamson to your list.
https://youtu.be/nHpqQaf0EK8?si=tN8T_XoiyeiU9-Yf
This is at least an 8 rating song for me...maybe a 9 if I'm in my truck with the tunes turned UP.
At least 2 great musicians named Sonny; Landreth (a guitarist god) and one of my favorite jazz sax men, Sonny Rollins.
I'll add Sonny Boy Williamson to your list.
https://youtu.be/nHpqQaf0EK8?si=tN8T_XoiyeiU9-Yf
Edweirdo wrote:
The great Allen Toussaint.
I guess Sonny couldn't get anybody 'good'...
Was fortunate enough to see Mr. Toussaint - his catalog is incredible.
Great segue from Nevilles to Sonny!
c.
The great Allen Toussaint.
I guess Sonny couldn't get anybody 'good'...
Was fortunate enough to see Mr. Toussaint - his catalog is incredible.
Great segue from Nevilles to Sonny!
c.
johnfiva wrote:
I am a wise guy & I gave it a ten!
A truly rocking song and anybody saying otherwise is not wise!
I am a wise guy & I gave it a ten!
A truly rocking song and anybody saying otherwise is not wise!
leathepea wrote:
Agreed !
Easily my favorite slide guitarist. Great song, but the live version is so much better. They consume their instruments!
Agreed !
leathepea wrote:
Easily my favorite slide guitarist. Great song, but the live version is so much better. They consume their instruments!
joejennings wrote:
Great!! Who plays piano on this tune? ...whomever is kicking ass!!
The great Allen Toussaint.
Great!! Who plays piano on this tune? ...whomever is kicking ass!!
The great Allen Toussaint.
Tippster wrote:
The picking guitar is Mark Knopfler. They trade leads in this song.
Great!! Who plays piano on this tune? ...whomever is kicking ass!!
The picking guitar is Mark Knopfler. They trade leads in this song.
Great!! Who plays piano on this tune? ...whomever is kicking ass!!
EXCELLENT!! Thanx RP!
MassivRuss wrote:
The picking guitar is Mark Knopfler. They trade leads in this song.
Dear lord, the picking is so fking detailed I never even knew it was slide. F**K!!
The picking guitar is Mark Knopfler. They trade leads in this song.
A great disappointment to me that this awesome version is not on Spotify
coloradojohn wrote:
I Agree completely! Thanx RP!
Sonny is one of the best adept at feeding the sound of a cranked guitar back upon itself. Thanks, RP!
I Agree completely! Thanx RP!
Given the opening two lines, is it deliberate that you could probably sing Stevie Wonder's Superstiton to this tune?
Sonny is one of the best adept at feeding the sound of a cranked guitar back upon itself. Thanks, RP!
countryrds wrote:
This song always grabs me. I'll see your 8 and raise you to a 9.
This song always grabs me. I'll see your 8 and raise you to a 9.
countryrds wrote:
Just bumped to a 8.
mjbaumann wrote:
PSD and move on, comments like this are idiotic. Leave it to people who can appreciate good music.
Thanks, and have a nice day
PSD and move on, comments like this are idiotic. Leave it to people who can appreciate good music.
Thanks, and have a nice day
Easily my favorite slide guitarist. Great song, but the live version is so much better. They consume their instruments!
Knopfler.
That means 8 -> 9!!
Too much noise in the office, I stick on headphones and look for Radio Paradise and it's Sonny Landreth. Couldn't have been anything better.
Opiner wrote:
I heard that 'Knopfler' sound from the other side of the room - thanks for confirming my ears weren't crazy.
Important to note that Mark Knopfler plays on this one with Sonny. Had the great pleasure of seeing Sonny play recently (2017) at a small nightclub - truly a master of the slide guitar, he plays so effortlessly and is super humble. Sublime player!
I heard that 'Knopfler' sound from the other side of the room - thanks for confirming my ears weren't crazy.
nutrod42 wrote:
Great!!
Great song. That's Allen Toussaint on piano.
Great!!
joejennings wrote:
Now, I have been checking him out on Spotify! ...Thank You again RP!!
SUPER!! I never heard of him before RP. Now I just want to keep hearing MORE of him!! Thank You RP!
Now, I have been checking him out on Spotify! ...Thank You again RP!!
sfoster66 wrote:
Thank You for being polite about it! We all have different tastes!
Just not my bag I'm afraid...each to their own though...so enjoy if you are so inclined...
Thank You for being polite about it! We all have different tastes!
SUPER!! I never heard of him before RP. Now I just want to keep hearing MORE of him!! Thank You RP!
GREAT TUNE! Superb guitar work!
Magic people. Voodoo people. The Voodoo, who do what you don't dare do, people.
Just not my bag I'm afraid...each to their own though...so enjoy if you are so inclined...
zunismyst wrote:
most probably Leonard Cohen;- One of Bill's favorites
Should be Superstition from Stevie...?
[edit]... and in actuality was Pipeline from another Stevie...!
most probably Leonard Cohen;- One of Bill's favorites
[edit]... and in actuality was Pipeline from another Stevie...!
eerie and beautiful. great sound.
Rockit9 wrote:
Not quite...The album does say 10! I-10... So I give it a 10.
110!
Not quite...The album does say 10! I-10... So I give it a 10.
110!
ecojot wrote:
Not quite...The album does say 10! I-10... So I give it a 10.
11
Not quite...The album does say 10! I-10... So I give it a 10.
11
chasmen wrote:
PSD and move on, comments like this are idiotic. Leave it to people who can appreciate good music.
Thanks, and have a nice day
Can't understand anyone who likes this song, at all!!! 
PSD and move on, comments like this are idiotic. Leave it to people who can appreciate good music.
Thanks, and have a nice day
Saw Sonny at Wolf Trap in VA some years back and Billy Payne sat in with his band to play Congo Square. Later Sonny returned the favor when he joined Little Feat during their set. And the rest is history.
chasmen wrote:
That's a lot of people that you don't understand! Betting, like me, that they are crushed to not be in your music circle.
Can't understand anyone who likes this song, at all!!!
That's a lot of people that you don't understand! Betting, like me, that they are crushed to not be in your music circle.
Excellent!
Saw Sonny live the intensity of his sizzling slide blew everybody away, way more rocking live than on album
Dear lord, the picking is so fking detailed I never even knew it was slide. F**K!!
Love RP, Bill you have turned me in to such great music, between this station and WFMU my musical tastes have broadened
I love John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers version as that's how I heard this song first.
Fantastic slide guitar artist! Sonic slide sculptures! Had the great pleasure of seeing this man perform earlier this year (two sets - first acoustic, second electric) and he and his band did an amazing job. Highly recommend it... worth every penny! Thank you RP!
Landreth does great work when he is in John Hiatt's band too
Easily up there with Duane Allman and Lowell George in terms of a distinctive slide sound.
Opiner wrote:
Did not know that. What a great combo.
Important to note that Mark Knopfler plays on this one with Sonny. Had the great pleasure of seeing Sonny play recently (2017) at a small nightclub - truly a master of the slide guitar, he plays so effortlessly and is super humble. Sublime player!
Did not know that. What a great combo.
6 to 7 to ? Nice fuzzy jam, ...wait, that sounds wrong!
Can't understand anyone who likes this song, at all!!!
nutrod42 wrote:
Was wondering who was doing that fantastic piano playing and about to look it up.
Thanks!
Great song. That's Allen Toussaint on piano.
Was wondering who was doing that fantastic piano playing and about to look it up.
Thanks!
PaganSkier wrote:
So I'm not the only one!
I always thought it went 'I seen their butts I could not turn away'.
So I'm not the only one!
This was played last night about 8pm. On a quick recycle.
Great song. That's Allen Toussaint on piano.
JOHN MAYALL DOES A GREAT VERSION AS WELL!
Important to note that Mark Knopfler plays on this one with Sonny. Had the great pleasure of seeing Sonny play recently (2017) at a small nightclub - truly a master of the slide guitar, he plays so effortlessly and is super humble. Sublime player!
What a great tune this is, wowwww :)
10 from me !
10 from me !
BKardon wrote:
So what'd he say and what'd you say and what'd he say and what'd you say?
I approached Sonny at Copper Mountain in CO a few years back and must have come on too strong because he had that, "who is this nut?" look on his face. 
I had to tell him I've been listening to South of I-10 since the mid-90's and have a been a big fan all that time.
I had to tell him I've been listening to South of I-10 since the mid-90's and have a been a big fan all that time. So what'd he say and what'd you say and what'd he say and what'd you say?
we approve of this
Oh, so New Orleans! Love this song every time I hear it.
I was introduced to Sonny's music only about three years ago with a public library copy of "Grant Street". They rocked this live and then I was lost in his library.
Could not stop humming this as I walked through New Orleans last week.
I approached Sonny at Copper Mountain in CO a few years back and must have come on too strong because he had that, "who is this nut?" look on his face. I had to tell him I've been listening to South of I-10 since the mid-90's and have a been a big fan all that time.
I had to tell him I've been listening to South of I-10 since the mid-90's and have a been a big fan all that time. This is at least an 8 rating song for me...maybe a 9 if I'm in my truck with the tunes turned UP.
At least 2 great musicians named Sonny; Landreth (a guitarist god) and one of my favorite jazz sax men, Sonny Rollins.
cosmic tradition.
Oldfastbowler wrote:
I agree - This followed Hendrix's Red House. What's next?
most probably Leonard Cohen;- One of Bill's favorites
I agree - This followed Hendrix's Red House. What's next?
most probably Leonard Cohen;- One of Bill's favorites
changodelaplaya wrote:
I agree - This followed Hendrix's Red House. What's next?
That guitar sounds amazing.
I agree - This followed Hendrix's Red House. What's next?
That guitar sounds amazing.
Very superstitious.
TerryS wrote:
yep
Really good guitar player with no attitude.
Win.win in my book.
Win.win in my book.
yep
1995? Amazing. Still fresh.
Really good guitar player with no attitude.
Win.win in my book.
Win.win in my book.
Rainin, hard, at The Fest. Ducked into a random blues tent and there he was, Sonny Landreth. Decided to stay awhile.
got my mojo in motion
Such great rockin feeling for this Friday afternoon!
Follow up with some Anders Osbourne, please. Then send it home with SRV.
Nice!
vesta0424 wrote:
A great song, but IMHO RP could play something different from Sonny...
I could listen to this again and again and, in fact, I do — but it is the Live at Grant Street version which is very wonderful. We need more rocking here at RP.
A great song, but IMHO RP could play something different from Sonny...
A little late for Greg, but Landreth does rock...
very nice
We need to get him, Derek Trucks band, and Devon Allman to tour together during this summer.
Get them to hit Midwest venues. Outside...inside...But get out and tour!
Get them to hit Midwest venues. Outside...inside...But get out and tour!
I could listen to this again and again and, in fact, I do — but it is the Live at Grant Street version which is very wonderful. We need more rocking here at RP.
Love it, he rocks!
tjroseberry wrote:
Is Sonny there now ?? say Hello to him from me...
I live across the street from Congo Square. It is awesome.
Is Sonny there now ?? say Hello to him from me...
Yes indeed, some greasy slide work to kick this Monday morning in the pants and get things going.
I live across the street from Congo Square. It is awesome.
There really is a Congo Square in the old quarter. i think Sonny has played there.
the history is awesome.
the history is awesome.
I dig it! It's got a real "Fat man in the bathtub" cowbell rhythm going on, which is nice.
idiot_wind wrote:
I like the way you think.....
I've seen him twice and Derek Trucks a few times.
Hey...why don't they tour together? And then hook up with Govt. Mule in about July at a outdoor venue under the stars with a full moon.
Yeah baby, yeah!
I like the way you think.....
yofitofu wrote:
Ditto. The world just doesn't understand.
This is just soooo catchy. Just makes me want to get up and dance. But alas there are other kinds of squares around this office.
Ditto. The world just doesn't understand.
xkolibuul wrote:
That's the problem with listening to RP at work. The job just gets in the way of the fine tunes.
Ah, I have found the problem. I was listening to this song at insufficient volume. Much better now. Rating rising rapidly.
That's the problem with listening to RP at work. The job just gets in the way of the fine tunes.
I've seen him twice and Derek Trucks a few times.
Hey...why don't they tour together? And then hook up with Govt. Mule in about July at a outdoor venue under the stars with a full moon.
Yeah baby, yeah!
Medo wrote:
Yes sir, saw him play this solo last summer and he made it look effortless. The other two in the "Greats of Slide" event gave him a real round of applause at the end.
Sonny Landreth is one of the greatest guitar players .
Yes sir, saw him play this solo last summer and he made it look effortless. The other two in the "Greats of Slide" event gave him a real round of applause at the end.
Such a great version of this song. This keeps my afternoon movin' along.
Sonny Landreth is one of the greatest guitar players .
now we're talking... but he has better stuff
oldfart48 wrote:
Very well put, old fart (at play?). I concur.
sonney is way better than this..........and this is fine....
...and this is fine....Very well put, old fart (at play?). I concur.
Jazbo wrote:
Lucky you indeedy
Seen him live many times and he always delivers..... !!!!!!>>>>8....
Lucky you indeedy
SMOOOOOOKIN!!
sonney is way better than this..........and this is fine....
...and this is fine.... SteveH wrote:
Man, I think this rips compared to the Neville Brothers version.
Good, but not quite as good as the Neville Bros version.
Man, I think this rips compared to the Neville Brothers version.
Just got back from my first visit to New Orleans.
Interesting city...
I will say I enjoyed listening to Washboard Chaz. He's something special.
Interesting city...
I will say I enjoyed listening to Washboard Chaz. He's something special.
I find myself more in a congo circle
Ah, I have found the problem. I was listening to this song at insufficient volume. Much better now. Rating rising rapidly.
Definitely caught my attention and had to look to see who it was. Very nice.......
Just "disturbed" the roomie and his date with the volume. Wake up call at 5:13 Calgary time...
Crank up the volume.
nice!
calypsus_1 wrote:
"South of I-10" is the 4th studio album from Sonny Landreth. The album features his first collaboration with Mark Knopfler. The songs "Shootin' for the Moon" and "Creole Angel" feat. Mark Knopfler on guitar, vocals.
Somehow I knew..... that Stratocaster
"South of I-10" is the 4th studio album from Sonny Landreth. The album features his first collaboration with Mark Knopfler. The songs "Shootin' for the Moon" and "Creole Angel" feat. Mark Knopfler on guitar, vocals.
Somehow I knew..... that Stratocaster
Seen him live many times and he always delivers..... !!!!!!>>>>8....
Ears_of_Stone wrote:
Glad to see you picked a truly representative name for yourself.
When he hears them at night he says a prayer but what do I have to say to never hear this again? I liked it at first but it is on the RP oft played list and has worn out it welcome for me.
Glad to see you picked a truly representative name for yourself.
NIIIIICCCCCEEE...mellow version of his much more guitaredelic Congo Square!!!....for when you want to rock but not too hard!
This is a rockin' tune!!!!
sounds like a dodgy copy of Robert Plant, who is already bad... so this is a well earned 1
This is the first time I have heard Sonny Landreth on RP. As a Blues guitar fan I have been listening to Landreth for quite a while. Nice to hear here on RP! Thanks!
Ex treme.
"South of I-10" is the 4th studio album from Sonny Landreth. The album features his first collaboration with Mark Knopfler. The songs "Shootin' for the Moon" and "Creole Angel" feat. Mark Knopfler on guitar, vocals.
shellbella wrote:
na-ah, for Me!
I think you played this just for ME !!
na-ah, for Me!
I think you played this just for ME !!
Good, but not quite as good as the Neville Bros version.
The real deal, podna... every bit as good a guitarist as Chris Whitley. And that's saying something.