Tab Benoit returns with I Hear Thunder, his first studio album in 13 years, a soulful testament to roots music crafted alongside fellow Louisiana blues virtuoso, Anders Osborne.
Tab Benoit is back, and that roaring sound you hear is Benoit bringing the thunder. Thirteen years after his last studio album, the Grammy-nominated blues powerhouse delivers I Hear Thunder, a ten-track ode to everything that makes roots music matter. The long-awaited album finds Benoit at the height of his songwriting powers, thanks in no small part to working with his fellow blues ace, Anders Osborne.
From the moment the title track kicks in, I Hear Thunder sets the tone - this is a record that’s as gritty as it is soulful. Benoit’s guitar work is as sharp as ever, unfolding through each track with a precision and depth that speaks to his three decades in the game. His work with Osborne, a fellow Louisiana legend, adds a whole new dimension to the album. Osborne’s signature style infuses each song with an extra layer of texture, giving Benoit’s riffs the room to breathe and build into something transcendent. It’s a partnership that feels natural, effortless, and full of life. With its raw energy and refined playing, the album bridges the gap between the old and the new and feels like a blueprint for the next generation of blues artists.
Backing Benoit on the record is an awesome lineup of players who make every note count. Bass legend George Porter Jr., best known for his work with the Meters, lends his unmistakable playing to three tracks for a funky backbone that gives the album even more groove. Benoit’s longtime touring band, bassist Corey Duplechin and drummer Terence Higgins, rounds out the rhythm section, one that’s as tight as it is powerful. Benoit’s journey from his breakout hit Nice and Warm in 1992 to I Hear Thunder has been marked by accolades and activism. He’s received multiple Blues Music Awards, four Grammy nominations, and widespread recognition not just for his music but for his environmental advocacy. His commitment to preserving Louisiana’s wetlands and fighting coastal erosion is as much a part of his legacy as his music, proving that Benoit’s heart beats for the land that inspires his art.