CD Review –“Medicine” Tab Benoit

Submitted by: Blue Barry – Smoky Mtn. Blues Society

3-15-11

Tab has put out several CD’S with Telarc, but I believe that this is his best. From top to bottom a monster. “Medicine” will come out on April 19^th, and it will be a winner! This great new CD features Tab and Anders Osborne writing several pieces. Musicians helping out are Brady Blade, Ivan Neville on B-3, Corey Duplechin and some amazing Cajun fiddle playing from Michael Doucet of BeauSoleil.

Let’s review; “Medicine” the opening cut is a great slow blues, with killer guitar leads, and just lays the foundation for the CD. Let’s also add in just the right mix of drums, and sweet piano. My favorite though is “Long Lonely Bayou.” I usually play a CD 5 or 6 times before I review it to make sure I really listen to it. Well the first time I heard this one was on a cold rainy day, and it hit the spot. Tab’s guitar playing is magnificent. Michael Doucet’s fiddle is superb. I mean something else! Rainy days, sunny days, any days, this song is worth the price of the CD. But there’s more. “In It To Win It” is another favorite. As on every cut Tb’s guitar playing is tasty and memorable. Great dynamics between the band members and killer leadwork! “You can’t be somebody by being somebody else, you got to be in it to win it!” “Sunrise” is another fine slow blues piece that is a love story about finding your way back home. Ivan Neville really adds some fine B-3 here. Another fine song is “A Whole Lotta’ Soul.” This one is special as it talks about the Spirit of the Bayou. It’s a nice easy tune, with a powerful drive, and a real message. Ivan adds his wonderful organ music to this one as well. A whole lot of hurting, and whole lot of giving, and whole lot of soul around here. There are 11 cuts on this CD and Tab is just on top of every one of them. Overall I think this is his best. When you see this one on the shelf, give it a listen. “All the World been waiting on you.” One Love, and enjoy…..blue barry