Lost Tab Benoit live album unearthed after 24 years
Tab Benoit will release Blues Masters Live, a previously unreleased recording of his 2002 performance at Blue Heaven Studios in Salina, Kansas, on October 23 via Acoustic Sounds.
The double album captures Benoit’s October 19, 2002 set at the Fifth Annual Blues Masters at the Crossroads concert series. Benoit was 34 at the time and performed as part of the event’s two-night “Louisiana Legends” edition, which brought together a dozen musicians representing different corners of Louisiana music.
Benoit was joined for the performance by bassist Carl Dufrene Jr. and drummer Darryl White. Louisiana guitarist Gabriel “Guitar Gable” Perrodin introduced the band before they opened the set with “Muddy Bottom Blues.”
At the time, Benoit was touring behind Wetlands, and five songs from the album are featured on Blues Masters Live. The set also draws from throughout Benoit’s career and Louisiana’s musical history.
Among the performances is Professor Longhair’s “Her Mind Is Gone,” followed by “Nice and Warm,” the title track from Benoit’s 1993 debut album. Benoit also revisits his work at Allen Toussaint’s Sea-Saint Studios before performing “Let Love Take Control.”
The Louisiana influence continues with Benoit’s take on Boozoo Chavis’ “Dog Hill.” During the performance, Benoit uses muted guitar strings to recreate the rhythmic sound of a zydeco washboard.
Another notable moment comes when Benoit is joined by Camille Bob, better known as Lil’ Bob, for “I Got Loaded.” Lil’ Bob and the Lollipops originally released the song in 1966, and the Blue Heaven performance gave Benoit an opportunity to play it alongside its creator.
The second half of the set includes “Louisiana Style,” “Crawfishin'” and a “Mardi Gras Medley” incorporating “Jambalaya,” “Jockamo”/”Iko Iko” and “When the Saints Go Marching In.” Benoit also stretches out on an eight-minute performance of “Cherry Tree Blues” before closing the set with “Bayou Boogie.”
The recording remained in the Acoustic Sounds archives for more than two decades. Company founder Chad Kassem, a Louisiana native and longtime supporter of Benoit, originally booked him for the 2002 concert and had the performance professionally recorded.
Benoit and Acoustic Sounds crossed paths again when the company manufactured the vinyl edition of Benoit’s 2024 album I Hear Thunder for his Whiskey Bayou Records label. As Acoustic Sounds began opening its Blues Masters at the Crossroads archive during the company’s 40th anniversary year in 2026, Benoit’s performance was selected as the first release.
The album also documents performances by several musicians who have since died, including Guitar Gable, Lil’ Bob and Dufrene.
Blues Masters Live will be released October 23 on Acoustic Sounds.
