Customer Reviews

Swampland Jam: Live

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I haven't lived in New Orleans in a while, but I did live there long enough to recognize real Tiptinas style cuts, when I hear them. This guy delivers that sound, in grand style. If you are a fan of N'Awlins style soul/blues, as I am, this CD will give you your fix. Blues fans of Keb Mo will hear some similarities. Tab's guitar playing has that similar "fuzzy" quality to it. But Tab is definitely on a tighter track when he kicks out the Albert Collins riffs on "Too Many Dishes." It's almost as if I were put into a Sherman and Peabody wayback machine to a live Tips/Collins gig, via 1983.

Fans of Collins, Professor Longhair, Stevie Ray, The Dirty Dozen, and other performers of the era will be happy to see that Todd Benoit and similar groups are maintaining that kind of quality!

BEK

Let me first say that I do NOT generally like "live" albums. But, this is fantastic. I am a huge Tab Benoit fan and this CD is one of his best. According to Tab, he does not try to blow you away; he creates a "feeling" and lets the music flow from that feeling. Thats exactly what happens here. Tab's brand of blues is peppered with cajun hot sauce without sounding campy or silly. The highs are high and the lows are oh so low. All of his CDs have a "live" feel to them; this one also has an audience. Its just great music .

Although a fan of Tab's, this CD leaves me wanting. Don't get me wrong its a good listen a well worth purchasing for fans, but it doesn't grab me the way Nice and Warm and Standing on Banks do. If you are a fan and looking at buying it, you won't be disappointed, but if you're new to Tab you'd do better to get one of other CDs first.

Swampland Jam was recorded at the House of Blues, New Orleans, Louisiana on February 23, 1997, and what a party that must have been.

Benoit is joined by several cajuns including, Chubby Carrier on "Hot Tamale Baby", Jumpin' Johnny Sansone on ""Louisiana Style" and "Crawlin' King Snake", Henry Gray on "Two Many Dishes" and Raful Neal on "Garbage Man". Six of the twelve songs are Tab and his band without the guests. All songs are excellent, but my personal favorite is "Dirty Dishes" which features some nice piano playing By Henry Gray which quietly compliments the slow blues guitar playing and vocals of Benoit.

Fan noise is kept to a minimum although there is no doubt that the CD captures a live and enthusiastic crowd in attendance.

I was lucky enough to wander into the House of Blues in New Orleans the night that most of this was recorded. This white boy from the swamps of Louisiana tore the house down with some of his original material, and did an outstanding job on the classic blues numbers as well.

If you like the blues, this CD is well worth the price, if only to hear his renditions of "Too Many Dirty Dishes," "Heart Of Stone" and "Gone Too Long." His duet with a local harpist on "Crawling Kingsnake" would make John Lee Hooker proud.

If you get the chance, go see him live. Until then, get this CD and kick back!

I enjoyed this CD, I was not familiar with this person. I would buy one of his CDs again.

This disc ROX! Tab pays tribute to Albert Collins, but proves himself to be, if not an equal, a damn strong contender on the Tele. All Music Guide complains that the numbers featuring just Tab, his bassist and drummer are too lean compared to the other tracks with guests, but I disagree. The small combo brings Tab's searing lead into prime focus and the guy has chops! Fans of Collins, SRV, or any guitar sound that pulls that something special out of a Telecaster will NOT be disappointed.

EVERY SONG IS A THRILL TO HEAR! KEEPS YOU WANTING MORE. DEEP DOWN SOUTH ROOTS. PLEASE GO THERE, AND COME TO HEAVEN WITH ME.

Tab Benoit's Swampland Blues is the finest collection of Southern Blues that I have heard in years. It makes your heart weep and your toes tap at the same time. This album seems to capture Tab Benoit at his best: Live and at home. Buy this album!!!!

After seeing Tab Benoit in concert twice and reading some of the other reviews here, I was expecting a really hot disc. Boy was I disappointed. The performances are sedate, the crowd seems bored and after a few tracks, so was I. Even "Hot Tamale Baby" seems to have been performed in slo-mo. It just isn't anything like what his shows give you in person. I'm still a huge fan, but I'll be sure to go for a studio release next time. I'd recommend others do the same.