Sea Saint Sessions
Soulful singer and guitarist Tab Benoit has never made secret his devout allegiance to the Louisiana music tradition. WithThe Sea Saint Sessions, Benoit, ably assisted by several Crescent City stalwarts, takes his music back to the source, setting up shop at the famed hit factory to cook up a sonic gumbo that successfully recaptures the spontaneity of the classic Sea Saint sound. Benoit's guests conjure up some of the studio's old musical magic as "Big Chief" Monk Boudreaux infuses Mardi Gras Indian spirit into "Monk's Blues,"Meterman George Porter Jr. funkifies "Making the Bend," andCyrille Nevillesings on his own "Plareen Man". But it is Benoit's distinctive guitar lines--somehow both supple and hard-edged--and the impeccable elasticity of his regular rhythm section that makes the music work. Most of the material is Benoit's own, although he pays tribute to Louisiana legendGuitar Slimwith a take on the classic "Sufferin' Mind" and dips into theHowlin' Wolfsongbook for a rendition of "Howlin' for My Darling".--Michael Point