Power of the Pontchartrain

Tab Benoit | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 26, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Telarc
• ASIN: B000Q9OD1M
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,929 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #2 in Music > Blues > Regional Blues > New Orleans Blues
  • #8 in Music > Blues > Regional Blues > Texas Blues
  • #23 in Music > Blues > Modern Blues

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Tab Benoit's album titles leave little doubt as to where he's from or the music he plays. Brother to the Blues, Fever for the Bayou, Wetlands, and now Power of the Pontchartrain exude the sweaty Louisiana swamp, blues, and R&B inherent in their names. But that only tells part of the story--the rest is in the grooves where Benoit's distinctive, grainy voice and tough Telecaster leads bring soul, grit, and intensity to a sound already infused with an earthy sensibility. There's more of the same on this disc, but that's no criticism. Benoit generally sticks with others' songs here, yet he unearths hidden gems. Julie Miller's "Midnight and Lonesome" is dragged into the murky swamps as a driving ballad with eerie qualities that live up to its name. Miller and husband Buddy are also credited with the righteous-yet-rugged gospel of "Shelter Me." "Somebody's Got to Go," originally by Lonnie Johnson, gets a crisp, frisky makeover, and even Buffalo Springfield's crusty "For What It's Worth" takes a swim in the muddy waters of Benoit's home state, with a little help of some altered, post-Katrina lyrics. The guitarist lets his Cajun influences fly on the bouncy rhythms of "Sac-Au-Lait Fishing," the album's only original, and shifts into pleading Otis Redding mode for the aching blues ballad "I'm Guilty of Lovin' You." The Chicago-by-way-of-the-Delta shuffle of "One Foot in the Bayou" is also an apt description of Benoit's approach. He touches on a variety of Americana styles, yet always keeps part of himself planted firmly in the wetlands of his roots. --Hal Horowitz

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As always...., July 21, 2007

By 

M. Bernocchi "mbernocchi" (Old Windsor, Berkshire United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Power of the Pontchartrain (Audio CD)

Every time you buy a Tab Benoit's CD you can be sure that you will not be disappointed. And, as always, the brand new "Power of the Pontchartrain" confirms that rule. Excellent material played extremely well by Tab and the accompanying band. This time the "Louisiana's Leroux" are the supporting band and this is not irrelevant to the great final result. In fact the band spent several years, as explained in the linear notes, with one of the greatest Louisiana blues player of all time Mr. Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown. The album is really very good and I would take the risk to say that from my point of view this is Tab's best effort so far. Tab's voice sounds great as always and the guitar playing is absolutely fantastic throughout the entire CD. The excellent and clean production and sound of Telarc Blues deserve a mention too. All the eleven songs in the menu are very strong and you will not be tempted to use the skip bottom of your CD player at any time, however I believe that a special mention is deserved by the great cover of the Stephen Stills' classic "For what it's worth", by the deep blues "Midnight and lonesome" that for me is the best cut of the bunch, and by the two mid tempo "Somebody got to go" and "Addicted". Very highly recommended for all the blues lovers.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This one is a must have!!, July 25, 2007

By 

Bradley C. Abernethy "Brad Abernethy" (Roanoke,VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Power of the Pontchartrain (Audio CD)

Once again Tab Benoit has outdone himself! His artistry shines on this album like never before! Gritty, haunting blues in Midnight And Lonesome, High steppin, foot tappin sounds in Sac Au Lait Fishing, and heartfelt pain in I'm Guilty of Lovin You. I have been a diehard fan of Tab Benoit for many years and must say this is one of his best efforts yet. I can hardly wait to see him live on stage again!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tab Never Disappoints, July 2, 2007

By 

Chester Perry (Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Power of the Pontchartrain (Audio CD)

I never worry when I buy a Tab Benoit CD because his material is consistently good and his style doesn't change much over time. He is a superb rhythm guitarist and songwriter and a great live performer. His Louisiana style of blues is on display again with Power of the Pontchartrain. Besides the title cut, my favorite tune is Sac-Au-Lait Fishing, which makes you want to get up and dance. I also like One Foot in the Bayou. All in all, a great CD if you like a New Orleans style blues band.