Tab Benoit played Boise, performing to a packed house at the Egyptian Theatre on Tuesday, September 13. Tab, who is generally acknowledged as one of the top blues guitarists in the world today, gave his fans a fantastic evening of hard driving blues, shaped by his years of living and playing in Houma, Louisiana. Opening the show was Nashville based guitarist and vocalist J.D. Simo, who said that his aim in performing the blues was “keeping music real, raw and honest”. The stage at the classic Egyptian Theatre, built in 1926 and one of the few concert and movie halls that still has an original pipe organ to accompany the showing of classic silent movies, was also a perfect size for the concert. The sound quality was a perfect size for the three-piece blues bands of Tab Benoit and J. D. Simo, filling the room with powerfulblues music.
J. D. Simo’s band opened the show. The band consisted of J.D. Simo on guitar and vocals, Todd Bolden on bass, and Adam Baber on drums. Many of the songs were from J. D’s new album, Mind Control. One of Those Days demonstrated a fine range of singing and composing this tune, aided by tasty guitar licks with nice use of tasty guitar riffs and excellent use of the special effects from his electronics. Mind Control and Know It All also introduced the audience to this talented band, who can go from hard-driving blues to gentle ballads with great aplomb. Know It All in particular was a song that integrated a slow, classic blues background mixed with guitar in the style of great great rock bluesmen such as Alvin Lee and Jimi Hendrix.
After a break, which kept J.D’s table at the front full of people buying his albums and T-Shirts along with many compliments to J.D. about his music, Tab Benoit and his band took to the stage. Tab, who does a steady amount of touring throughout the US, has played Boise before and it was obvious for the first song that Boise was happy to have Tab back in town. Indeed, after the show, Tab told The Boise Beat, “Boise is a great town and we’ve always looked forward to our shows there. We don’t get to Boise enough. I hope to come back in 2023”. Tab’s band is comprised of Jeffery Alexander on drums and Corey Duplechin on bass.
One of the rare things about Tab Benoit is that he doesn’t just talk to the audience, he converses with them. After the first song, an excellent rocking blues number, he told the audience. “I’ve got a list of songs we can work from, if you want that”. He then asked the audience, “or would you like it if I just plug it in, turn the volume on my amp up to 10 and we can play together?”. The audience delivered a room-shaking answer, cheering, whooping and shouting ‘YEAH!!!”. He then proceeded to play songs he felt the audience would enjoy, and had everyone in the theatre happy that Tab Benoit played Boise.
The show itself was an interesting mix of Tab’s original songs, some classic blues covers, and even a cover of a beloved classic rock song from the 60s. He mentioned that he started out playing drums, until he got an acoustic guitar for his birthday. Then, another great original, and some members of the audience in front of the stage and started to dance as he tore into some sizzling licks on his guitar. The guitar that has been with him forever, a stock, 1972 Fender Telecaster Thinline, is battle-scarred, but delivers notes that sound distinctive, sweet and also gutsy. He doesn’t use any effects electronics, relying strictly on his amp and fingers to create his music.
As you could see when Tab Benoit played Boise, He loves the audiences; and you could tell that the audience in Boise certainly loved Tab Benoit. At another break between songs, he lamented that he’s had no hits over the years. However, he continued, “When I go shopping at Walmart or Home Depot, I’m always followed around by fans”. Then, Tab continued with the show, filling the room with songs from a multitude of albums, great tunes such as Night Train, Fever for the Bayou, Little Girl Blues and My Bucket’s Got A Hole In It. Alternating between techniques, Tab Benoit played a mean slide guitar as well as several styles of fingerpicking and speedy, tasteful work with the pick on his guitar.
When he started playing a heavy blues song that everybody in the audience knew the opening riff of, the place went wild. Bringing the song back, he dug into the opening of the Buffalo Springfield classic, For What it’s Worth. This was a brilliantly played version of the song, a timely commentary on the state of the country now, with its riots and demonstrations. Turning it into a gutsy blues tune, it was perhaps the best version of that song to come out since it was first written by Stephen Stills.
For the last few tunes, J.D. Simo came out to join the band on guitar. The interplay of J.D. and Tab on their guitars added a new dimension to the last few tunes. By this time, of course, it was hard to see if anyone was not dancing in their seats, the isles, or in the area in front of the stage. As they they played the blues standard I Smell A Rat In My House, previously performed by blues legends such as Buddy Guy and Big Mama Thornton, the crowd certainly showed how they liked that Tab Benoit played in Boise. After a few audience-prompted encores, the show was over. Walking out, all the “wows” and “amazing” comments showed that Tab’s Boise fans sure can’t wait until he returns. And for those who have never heard him, listen to Tab’s multitude of albums. It’s easy to see why he’s at the top of the blues performer pantheon, one of the best interpretations of the blues that’s ever come out of Louisiana. Live, Tab gives a dynamic, tasteful performance. And Boise was up for having a great time with Tab Benoit.
Tab Benoit webpage
J.D. Simo webpage
We will definitely make sure to block out Tab’s next concert date so we can soak up his incredible musicality.
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