You can find Tab Benoit’s CDs in the blues section of your local record shop. Not sure why. To me, blues means shuffles and slow blues, which Benoit rarely performs, and akin to country, blues has a very distinct sound. 

So where would I stock his records? 

I’d probably give him his own section.

Mixing New Orleans funk, soul and swamp blues with East Texas guitar, Tab Benoit carved out his own sound in the late ‘80s. The guitarist’s gutsy licks and fiery solos are as smooth as butter, and he effortlessly slides up and down the fret board while his road tested vocals have a Cajun twang. Releasing almost an album a year since 1992, the Louisiana native has shown versatility and has always kept his fans guessing. While Benoit is a consummate songwriter, his reworking of such classics as Willie Dixon’s “Seventh Son” and Hank Williams’ “Jambalaya” are equally as fresh as he puts his own spin on them. In 2005 he released Brother to the Blues, on which he flirted with classic country and deep South soul. Last month Benoit issued his 14th recording, Power of the Pontchartrain, which is another varied compilation of covers and self-penned gems.



[Jazzbones, Friday, July 6, 9 p.m., $15-$17, 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.396.9169]