Acclaimed Louisiana Bayou Blues guitarist Tab Benoit has just released I Hear Thunder (Whiskey Bayou Records). The award-winning musician’s first new album in thirteen years soared to #1 on the influential Billboard Blues Album Chart the week of September 16, 2024. To complement the release, the I Hear Thunder 2024 Tour winds across the country, an unforgettable experience reigniting the soul of roots music, while proving artists like Benoit only get better with time.
Locally, the I Hear Thunder Tour 2024 featuring Tab Benoit rumbles into The Vogue Theatre, 6259 N. College Ave., Wednesday, October 16. Show: 7:30pm. $30.00. Info: (317) 259-7029 or visit here.
“From Tab’s solos to Anders’ solos, what a show,” writes American Blues Scene‘s Rick Scuteri, reviewing a recent I Hear Thunder Tour show in Tucson. “They ended the night with Anders’ ‘Louisiana Rain’ and Tab’s ‘Darkness.’ And after a standing ovation the band came back for an encore with ‘Oh Katrina,’ an Anders hit that found Benoit playing the drums – the same instrument he started playing as a kid. They wrapped things up with the Benoit tune ‘We Make a Good Gumbo,’ a great way to end things: jamming a classic that brings the people to their feet. I highly recommend this show when they come to your hometown.”
I Hear Thunder features ten solid tracks showcasing Tab’s original guitar style and the great songwriting of the Benoit/Osborne songwriting team. Benoit does more than just play the blues; he defines its future while paying homage to its rich past. I Hear Thunder is a must for roots music fans.
Benoit’s last album, Medicine, released in 2014 and co-produced by the legendary Anders Osborne for Concord International, won three Blues Music Awards. Following this notable success, Benoit took a 14-year sabbatical from recording, entering a period of creative exile. This hiatus has only deepened the anticipation and appreciation for his return, illustrating his lasting impact on the genre.
Tab Benoit has always called Houma, Louisiana home. It is where he’s made music for himself and others and where he fell in love with the Wetlands. In 2001, his energy shifted to preserving the Wetlands, replacing music as his full-time job. His efforts as a conservationist resulted in multiple accolades, one of which was the prestigious Governor’s Award.
To bring focus to the plight of the Wetlands, Benoit created the Voice of the Wetlands All-Stars, pioneers of a sound and style indigenous to Louisiana’s Wetlands. The All-Stars featured Cyril Neville, Anders Osborne, George Porter Jr., Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Johnny Vidacovich, Johnny Sansone, and Waylon Thibodeaux.
The self-produced I Hear Thunder is out via Benoit’s imprint, Whiskey Bayou Records, formed in 2017, with partner and manager Rueben Williams. Since its inception, the label has released albums by established artists such as Eric McFadden, Damon Fowler, Eric Johanson, Jeff McCarty, and Dash Rip Rock.
Guitar legend Anders Osborne‘s brilliance is showcased on every song of Tab Benoit’s new record, adding a delicate touch that enhances the album’s tone and texture. Anders will join Tab on the 2024 I Hear Thunder Tour, where the two will perform simultaneously, backing each other up as they forge through their vast musical catalogs.
Notably, The Meters’ bassist George Porter Jr. makes a guest appearance on three tracks, infusing his signature groove into the mix. Tab also proudly features his touring band on the record, with bassist Corey Duplechin and drummer Terence Higgins solidifying the powerhouse lineup.
Benoit’s journey began in 1992 with a radio hit from his debut record Nice and Warm. Since then, he has received multiple Blues Music Awards and four Grammy nominations. Beyond the music, Benoit is celebrated for his years of activism, particularly concerning the Louisiana Wetlands and coastal erosion. He seamlessly intertwines his artistic brilliance with a profound commitment to environmental advocacy, ensuring his legacy extends beyond the stage into the heart of the land that inspires his bluesy soul. Benoit does more than play the blues; he defines its future while paying homage to its rich past.
