The Bros. Landreth are an award-winning Winnipeg roots group fronted by brothers Joey and David Landreth. On May 13, they’re releasing their third studio album Come Morning. Here are six songs they consider favourites. /Gregory Beatty
“Jealous Guy”
Donny Hathaway, Live (1972)
There’s lots that makes this record and song special, but the best way we can describe it is that we don’t know if we’ve ever heard so much pure joy captured on a recording. Something about this record makes us smile ear to ear, every damn time. YouTube
“How Long Has That Evening Train Been Gone”
Diana Ross & The Supremes, Love Child (1968)
If you ask a lot of modern bass players who their heroes are, you’d be hard pressed to find one who doesn’t list James Jamerson. He was one of the Detroit session musicians that shaped the Motown sound, and sadly died broke and unrecognized. This track is an example of his incredible pocket and note choices. He truly was a master. YouTube
“Cure For Love”
Bonnie Raitt, Fundamental (1998)
This year we got the news of a lifetime when our hero, Bonnie Raitt, cut our song “Made Up Mind” on her new record. This track is a bit of an outlier — not her most famous, but has always stood out to us. We’re pretty sure David Hidalgo from Los Lobos played guitar, and if memory serves she made the record with one of our favourite producers, Tchad Blake. YouTube
“L.A. County”
Lyle Lovett, Pontiac (1988)
Lyle Lovett was a staple in the Landreth house growing up. He’s one of our favourite songwriters and performers. We used to play our version of “If I Had a Boat” in our live set. YouTube
“Thing Called Love”
John Hiatt, Bring the Family (1987)
The story behind this record is spectacular. John Hiatt is newly sober and recently dropped by his label. Budgets are tight, and he’s only got four days to make the record. He goes into the studio with Ry Cooder, Jim Keltner and Nick Lowe, and they finish it by the skin of their teeth, creating what is arguably the cornerstone album of his career. YouTube
“Junkie Girl”
Walter Becker, 11 Tracks of Whack (1994)
This is an odd-ball, but another record that played a lot at our Dad’s house. Walter Becker is the other half of Steely Dan, along with Donald Fagen, and his songwriting and production are really unique. His description of an addict heading towards their rock-bottom has always floored us. YouTube