Customer Reviews

These Blues Are All Mine

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

 

 

If you play this record aside Benoit's earlier studio recordings, you can really see how much he has grown as a songwriter and singer. Tab's guitar work has always been strong and stylish, if a bit raw and technically simple. But, on this recording, you can hear that it's the phrasing and emotion that's important to him. He's not trying to impress with flash -- he's just playing from the heart. Highly recommended for blues fans, and it should be required listening for any would-be guitarists. The last thing the world needs is more speed demons like Steve Vai and Eric Johnson. Tab shows us that there's more to guitar than notes per second. And, his band is sooo solid. There's not a better blues drummer around than Allyn Robinson. Album highlights include the title track, "Mother Earth", and the oh-so-funky "Lights on, Nobody's Home".

This CD is a perfect primer to Mr. Benoit's brand of blues. "These Blues Are All Mine" displays his raw approach to guitar playing which harkens back to the days of Albert King, when the most important part was exposing your musical soul. To Tab, it's not important to hit every note correctly, which makes his music so intriguing. If this CD has one drawback, it is the inclusion of the Hammond B-3, which almost seems like a safety net--something Benoit does not need. "These Blues..." also comes across as quite tame to anyone who has seen this guy play live. I would say it's like trying to compare a poster of a van Gogh with the actual painting. It can be appreciated, but not fully understood. For example, "Crosscut Saw" on the CD is under three minutes in length, while "live" it goes more than twice that time. The lack of his soloing just seems to take away from the overall product. And seeing him grind out a solo on just four strings (he breaks a lot of 'em) without missing a beat, is a thing to behold. I give this 5 stars, because for a studio album, it possesses much of the qualities you find in one of his shows, it just happens to be the Reader's Digest version thereof. Go see him if he ever comes to your town, he won't disappoint and you'll always go back for more!

I was lucky enough to catch Tab at a blues festival here in New Mexico this summer-WOW! He had the last of three blues bands appearing that day. None of the three were the least bit bad, but Tab was in a whole different realm. Consider buying this CD an investment in the good health of your soul. Tab comes on with a blast of energy that gives you a thrill. Great stuff.

The first time I heard Tab was when a local blues radio station aired his rendition of Albert Collins' "Dirty Dishes". I very quickly ordered the Live "Swampland Jam" CD and became a fan. A couple of weeks ago I had the privilege of sitting front and center at one of Tab's concerts and was just blown away. I knew it was gonna be a rollicking show when he broke his guitar string during the first number -- this guy's an amazing picker! As he played all of his songs from "These Blues are All Mine", I had to add that CD to my collection as well. This CD is the next best thing to hearing Tab live. I will agree with the reviewer who stated that the addition of the B-3 distracts ever-so-slightly from Tab's guitar on at least one of the tunes, but on others it works nicely. The title track is amazing, and I also especially like "Crawfishin'", "Don't Lose Your Cool", and "Mother Earth". This CD is packed full of funky, toe-tapping, makes-ya-wanna-get-up-&-dance music. I've been listening to it over and over, with no burn-out yet! Buy it!!!

Simple...this disk is Tab on front, on his own and on fire...Every tune is very well recorded, but not over produced. The Tones are solid all the way through. Really this is the disk you want people to hear if your gonna introduce them to Tab Benoit!

I caught Tab playing at a small club in Madison, Wisconsin, sometime around 1993. There weren't many people there, but he and his trio played the hell out of the place. Strangers started dancing with each other, kid guitar players were slack-jawed, and everyone ordered up more beer. He brought Louisiana to the Chilly North, and the Chilly North was better for it. We were amazed at how good and whiskeyed-up his voice was. You want a good blues record? Tired of the same Stevie Ray licks? This is your man.

Agreeing with Tab's live performances,theres none like it around>!The man can put on a show,you just wanna move.He brings that to his studio albums,plays his friggin heat out,pulls out all the stops.The killer covers of albert king & collins is on the money with Tab's own sig. licks.BUY THIS CD p.s anybody have any Tab tunes transcribed,write me,thanks.

I've been a huge Tab fan ever since I heard "Nice and Warm". At the time I didn't think it was possible to top that CD -- now, after hearing "These Blues Are All Mine", I realize that he did it! Top notch all the way, from his vocal performance, to rhythm, to his lead work... the whole album is a winner from start to finish. Highly recommended!

OMG - where has this been all my life? Have been looking for another blues artist to listen to, am glad I chose Tab Benoit based on one song I heard on XM. I have been listening to KWS Band, Coco Montoya, SRV, Sonny Landreth, and John Mayall for years...I wonder how this slipped by? Now I have a lot of catching up to do to get some more CDs!

This is a very nice, very valuable representation of this wonderful roots, Houma Louisana Bluesman Tab Benoit. He is a real nice player, gutsy vocals, great guitar work, Hammond organ which is a must. Worth the purchase for sure.