Tab Benoit
Biography
Guitarist, singer, and songwriter Tab Benoit makes his home near New Orleans in Houma, LA. Born November 17, 1967, he's one of a handful of bright rising stars on the modern blues scene. For most of the 1990s, he's been working each of his records the old fashioned way, by playing anywhere and everywhere he and his band can play. Unlike so many others before him, Benoit understands that blues is not a medium in favor with 50,000-watt commercial rock radio stations, so as a consequence, he's worked each of his releases with as many shows as he can possibly play. Since the release of his first album for Justice, Benoit has taken his brand of Cajun-influenced blues all over the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Nice and Warm, his debut album for Houston-based Justice Records, prompted some critics to say he's reminiscent, at times, of three blues guitar gods: Albert King, Albert Collins, and Jimi Hendrix.
Although the hard-working, modest guitarist scoffs at those comparisons, and doesn't think he sounds like them (and doesn't try to sound like them), Benoit doesn't appear to be one who's easily led into playing rock & roll in favor of his down-home blend of swamp blues and east Texas guitar-driven blues. Talk to Tab at one of his shows, and he'll tell you about his desire to "stay the course," and not water down his blues by playing items that could be interpreted as "alternative" rock. Despite the screaming guitar licks he coaxes from his Telecaster and his powerful songwriting and singing abilities, Benoit's laid-back, down-to-earth personality off-stage is the exact opposite of his live shows.
Benoit's releases include Nice and Warm (1992), What I Live For (1994), Standing on the Bank (1995), and Live: Swampland Jam (1997), all recorded for Vanguard. Benoit then moved over to the Telarc label for These Blues Are All Mine (1999), Whiskey Store (2002, with Jimmy Thackery), Wetlands (2002), and The Sea Saint Sessions (2003). In 2004, Benoit released Whiskey Store Live, recorded with Jimmy Thackery on the support tour for Whiskey Store. 2005 saw the release of Fever for the Bayou on the Telarc label. 2005 also saw Voice of the Wetlands come out on Rykodisc. Another album from Telarc, Brother to the Blues, appeared in 2006. Power of the Pontchartrain and Night Train to Nashville followed in 2007 and 2008 respectively.
Considering that many of Benoit's records have surpassed the 50,000 mark, he's well on his way to a career that could rival the kind of popularity the late Stevie Ray Vaughan enjoyed in the late '80s. ~ Richard Skelly & Al Campbell, All Music Guide
Selected Discography

Night Train To Nashville
2008

Power Of The Pontchartrain
2007

Brother To The Blues
2006

Best Of The Bayou Blues
2006

Fever For The Bayou
2005

The Sea Saint Sessions
2003

Wetlands
2002

These Blues Are All Mine
1999

Live: Swampland Jam
1997

Standing On The Bank
1995

What I Live For
1994

Nice And Warm
1992
Saw Tab and his band play in Salem Oregon a few years back, and it still stands as one of the best shows I've ever been to. After taking a pull off a tall glass of whiskey he took over the drumset for a sick drum solo and then back onto the guitar. Catch this band live if you can!
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How come I did not know about these great guitar players before I met Pandora?
I am almost sick to my stomach when I realize how ignorant I have been for so many years (and I thought I knew something about music - not so fast, buddy!) I wonder what's next for me on Pandora now....Not big fan of Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Don't mean to offend those who love'em, though.... They just never fit my frequency response, I guess. |
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I seen him at Knuckeheads in K.C. (outside) it was the best ever. It had started to rain, and he never stopped. He had to stand on a chair to keep the water away from him. Everyone went crazy, all of us dancing and everyone was soaked, but the best concert ever...I'll never forget it
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I seen him at a Blue's Festival ( outside) in Marquette Michigan last year it was the best . Beautiful night, After he took the time to talk to who ever wanted to chat. I sure did with him. Very nice guy. Very down to earth.
Had a few laughs too. He put on a AWESOME SHOW !!!! |
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saw Tab at a small club in Los Angeles some years ago... the man is a MAD guitar player! broke a string in the middle of a song and never missesd a beat, kept playing and retuned his guitar on the spot so he could finish the song with the strings he had! it was insane!
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Yo! I witnessed this boy at the BIG EASY in the Old Port in Portland, Maine back around 2002. I seen Clapton, I seen BB, I seen SRV, I seen Kenny Wayne, I seen many of the blues kings.
He is one of the best. |
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Not since I first heard SRV way back in the early 80s have I been so excited about a new blues artist. Tab is one to watch. Honors the genre, has real talent, and injects feeling into his playing so it always sounds fresh. Does charity work too! All around goodness.
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My all time favorite song of Tab's is These Hands of Mine,
with Jimmy Thackery and Tab,, The best ever, Much success Tab.. This man will go far.. Mark my words. He is one of the "Good Guys" believe me.. You got to see him live..its a all time must do !!! |
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I got to see Tab at the Prairie Dog Blues Fest. My granddaughte r and I were privledged to meet Tab backstage after the concert. He's a regular down home nice guy. Thanks Tab
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I like his style and he's a home boy,had the chance to play with him at the rockin bowl New Orleans,open mic its been a good while since i seen a show keep up the work an jam on sha!
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I just seen him last night in Marquette Michigan at a Blues Festival. What a awesome show he put on. EXCELLENT, Go see him you will really enjoy him and his band. It was a beautiful night . Something I will remember for a long time .
Man can he sing and play that guitar. It was one of the best shows that I have seen. |
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One of the best concerts I ever saw was Tab and band at the old movie theater in Arlington VA. Fantastic! This guy is a multi-talent e d musician, absolutely great. Only complaint was his politics from the stage.
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Awesome! I would love to see him live. Just makes you feel good all over.
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Definitely my kind of blues....
I think Nice and Warm is one of my favorite albums of all time. |
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I saw Tab down at Blues on the Square in Lansing, MI last year he puts on a great show!This guy really rocks that guitar!!!I hope to have the opportunity to see him play live again.
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I own a 72' Thinline Teleicaster because of Tab. I have seen Tab live a few times now and can't wait to see a show again. Great live performer and very approachable off stage. Buy an record and go go see him live you will not regret it!
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I love his voice. So smooth. Without effort! Please play more
of his songs. He's bad on that guitar too! |
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saw Tab a few years ago at a dive bar in chicago area. awesome performer, too bad only like 30 people there.
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His version of "Too Many Dirty Dishes" should be the national anthem of the blues!
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Oh yea a hometown Louisiana boy!! Playing the Blues the ole way all the way.
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never had the pleasure to see a show but he very very good
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I saw him at Legends in Chicago. Fantastic show. I make sure I see him every time he is in town.
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This guy is a master. This is one of the best renditions of "I Put a Spell on You" I've ever heard, though if you want to hear a real cranking organ with it, listen to "The Crazy World of Arthur Brown" -- which is not only the name of his former act but the name of the album. It was the group's first album; I have it on vinyl, which gives a richer sound.
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I can't tell you how many times I have seen him perform. Every time is unbelievable . Great with a crowd. What a show man.
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The entire Nice and Warm disc is great and an excellent place for the unknowing to begin their venture. There have been dozens of folks who've covered the tune "I Put A Spell On You", but Tab plays it as though it was written for him, alone, to perform. Between "Spell" and the title tune, I don't know how anyone could be left unconvinced of the man's talent.
Sic 'em, Tab. |
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