If it comes from Telarc it’s gonig to be good. I can say that without fear of contradiction because they’ve never sent me a CD I didn’t enjoy. You can’t say that about too many labels. Medicine is the latest album from Louisiana blues guitarist Tab Benoit. It’s his 7th release on Telarc, and it’s a killer.
Eleven tracks with seven originals (co-written with songwriter Anders Osborne) showcase Benoit’s husky vocals and his mastery of the lead guitar. Benoit talks about working with Osborne, “[We've] been friends for years, and we have a very comfortable relationship…songwriting needs to feel natural…to flow easily…[we] went out on the bayou [and]…came back with seven songs!”
Anders Osborne (who had a #1 hit with “Watch the Wind Blow By” recorded by Tim McGraw, and placed songs on Keb’Mo’s 1999 Grammy winning album Slow Down) also plays rhythm guitar on Medicine. In fact he used BB King’s guitar ‘Lucille’ on half the tracks! The rest of the band is Ivan Neville (keyboards), Brady Blade (drums), and bassist Corey Duplechin. It’s a small combo that works well together. Michael Doucet from Beausoleil guests on three tracks.
The songs are good solid blues based tunes with plenty of room for Benoit’s guitar pyrotechnics. ”Long Lonely Bayou” is one of the tracks with Michael doucet. It features Doucet’s fiddle, and acoustic guitar from Benoit as he sings in that high Cajun tone. It’s a welcome break from the heavier blues of the title track and the rocking “Come and Get It.” Cover versions include the Johnny Otis, Johnny Watson co-write “Broke and Lonely” and Augie Meyers’ Texas swing (also with Doucet) “Can’t You See”.
A well balanced, enjoyable slice of swampy blues. Telarc comes through again.
(Telarc, 2011)
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