Tab Benoit is a great guitarist, but it is his soul drenched vocals and Louisiana heritage that really impress me. He is a prolific artist and I enjoy the fact that he's not afraid to collaborate with his fellow label mates or re-record his own material. Like a lot of jam bands he remains spontaneous and never sounds exactly the same. On March 22, Telarc Records will release his newest cd "Fever for The Bayou".

Tab opens with the first of three originals "I'm a Night Train" and sets the tone for another great ride. The "fat" rhythm section of Carl Dufrene, bass and Daryl White, drums set the wheels rolling as the trio steams it up. Next is "Little Girl Blues" written by Cyril Neville of The Neville Brothers. "I Smell a Rat" is from Buddy Guy. The remaining two originals "Fever for The Bayou", and "Lost in Your Lovin" follow. It seems that it's on Tab's originals that his guitar work really shines.

On the remainder of the album Tab continues to pay tribute to his Louisiana roots. With special guest Monk Boudreaux handling the vocals they reprise Monk's "Golden Crown". Monk Boudreaux is a member of The Wild Magnolias and also leader of The Golden Eagle Mardi Gras Indians. "I Can't Hold Out" is the Elmore James classic that Tab learned while growing up and playing the blues clubs of Baton Rouge. On Cyril Neville's "The Blues is here to Stay" Tab, with special guest Cyril sharing the vocals. pays tribute to musicians that have been influences. "Got Love if You Want It", the Slim Harpo classic follows.

"Blues So Bad" co-written by Henry Glover and Levon Helm is next. The song appears on the Levon Helm and The RCO Allstars album released in 1977. Levon Helm is the drummer and vocalist from The Band. Henry Glover had been record producer for the Hawks, Levon's first band. The album closes with the Clarence Williams classic "My Bucket's got a Hole in It". Clarence Williams was a 1930's pianist, composer, bandleader and producer who first recorded everyone from Bessie Smith to Louis Armstrong.

This is another fine release from Tab Benoit and an inside look into some of his influences. If you're a Tab Benoit fan and have a "Fever For The Bayou" you gotta have it.

Richard Ludmerer
Director, The New York Blues & Jazz Society
ricdale2@yahoo.com

(c)2005 Richard Ludmerer