Tab Benoit’s Swampland Jam

Tab hit the Belly Up Stage with his screaming guitar in-hand stunning the crowd with his rowdy opener.

Everyone was obviously glad to be back enjoying live music again, especially the musicians! They had smiles on their faces from ear to ear throughout the entire show. However, things were bittersweet according to bass guitarist, Corey Duplechin, as he spoke to me after the show about how he had to board up his house before hitting the road. I can’t imagine what all those people in Louisiana are having to endure during these hard hitting storms, but one thing is for sure—these people have each other’s backs and Tab Benoit is no exception. Tab said to the crowed, “I love all ya’all and if I wasn’t here with you, I’d be home doing everything I can to help out.” As they say, the show must go on.

And on it did. The dynamic trio started the show off with Chip Vayenas on drums, Corey on bass, and Tab for the first part of the show to set the tone with a bluesy Cajun rock-n-roll soul vibe. After the first set they introduced their featured guests, Johnny Sansone and Waylon Thibodeaux. These guys haven’t played together since things shut down and Johnny couldn’t help but poke fun at Tab’s “wildman” appearance. They were so happy to play together as they rolled out the finest Louisiana deep roots music that only these “all-stars” can perform with Johnny on vocals, harmonica, and accordion and Waylon on vocals and fiddle with Tab playing guitar. It was pure magic—like being transported into another place and time. Now I get why they call it “Swampland Jam”.

Tab co-founded Voices of the Wetlands (VOW) and the Voices of the Wetlands All-Stars was formed not only with Johnny Sansone and Waylon Thibodeux, but other greats such as Cyril Neville, Johnny Vidacovich, and Mardi Gras Indian Big Chief Monk Boudreaux. These “legendary musicians” continue to lend their heart and soul to their environmental concerns of their beloved homeland. Their CD “Voices of the Wetlands All-Stars can be streamed or purchased. Please consider supporting this great cause especially now in light of the recent devastation.

There is nothing that compares to Tab’s sound and style when he plays with his “homies”. It truly adds to his guitar playing mastery and brings out the very best in him. He’s so connected to his audience as he shares his stories with enthusiasm. He set the audience straight pointing out what “real music” is. He said he doesn’t rehearse or have a set list for that matter. Nothing he does is prefabricated and he’s not looking at his watch. We are all invited to his live performances which he considers his “rehearsal”. He jokingly thanks everyone for coming to his “practice session.”

Although he loves taking requests, someone in the audience shouted out, “play what you want to play” to which he responded, “that works for me”. They covered a lot of ground jamming the hell out. This was the best “Medicine” we could ever ask for. Medicine was Tab’s latest CD–His song “Nothing Takes the Place of You” gets me every time. There is so much Tab yet to be discovered. One thing he revealed was that he used to be an airplane pilot–hence his “clean cut” look he used to have. He figured he wasn’t going back to his “day” job after 30 years of performing, so it appears he’s going to let his “freaky flag fly“.

It’s always special to see shows at The Belly Up in Solana Beach, because it’s such an intimate venue. These guys are selling out on the tour so if you get the chance to see them you are very fortunate. They are the “best of the best” of Louisiana Roots Music reminding us what “real” music truly is.