Search - Tab Benoit, Jimmy Thackery :: Whiskey Store

Take A Huge Drink

Steve Hinrichsen | CA, USA | 10/19/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After playing a few select festival dates together the past couple of years it comes as no surprise that Jimmy Thackery and Tab Benoit finally got together in the studio to cut one hell of a record together. The name of this gem is Whiskey Store and is brought to you by the Telarc label and producer Randy Labbe who have been throwing the dice for a few years now on different groupings and pairings of artists and coming up with 7's and 11's. They truly hit the jackpot this time around. These two string bending road warriors are in top notch form for about an hours worth of some finely crafted axe slinging, backed by Double Trouble, Reese Wynans and harp virtuoso Charlie Musselwhite. You can bet your last dollar that there is plenty of bone shaking blues to be found here but this is not by any stretch of the imagination the same ole twelve bar blues you might expect so dismiss that thought immediately. Jimmy and Tab have chosen to put their own unique spin on some very familiar tunes from the rock world with Thackery taking the lead on stunning versions of Dylan's "Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat," and The Stones "The Last Time," which actually has both guys harmonizing vocally. Benoit fronts a countrified version of Neil Young's "Unknown Legend," that can only be described as simply gorgeous with Musselwhite adding some delicate harp licks to it. Tab also serves up a glowing reworking of his own "Nice and Warm," which in my opinion rivals the original. Thackery is in the drivers seat (no pun intended) for the rough and tumble opening number,"I Ain't Broke" which has both guys ripping off some intense licks but it's Jimmy doing about 100 mph with Reese Wynans seemingly adding a few more keys to his piano that grabs your ear. Percy Mayfield's "Strange Things Happen" is given a fabulous arrangement with the whole band just plain cooking and Musselwhite jumping in for few well placed fills which he also does on "Bad Luck Blues" a slow blues number handled expertly by Benoit. The crown jewel of this collection is undoubtedly the heartfelt swinging tribute to Freddy King entitled "Freddy's Combo." As I sat and listened to this intense jam, my arms fell off, my legs fell off, my head sort of detached itself and went rolling across the room and... well I think you kinda get the idea of what I am trying to say about "Freddy's Combo." The album closes with a terrific little shuffle "Bone Pickin'" from Benoit that could have easily fit onto either of his last two albums with it's down home feel and fine picking. The albums title track is a soul searching ditty comparing a women to a whiskey store with some moody changes and a few slick guitar runs set around Tab's haunting crying vocals. After listening to this album so many times that my wife may kill me at this point, I can honestly say that I would be surprised if it doesn't skyrocket to the top of the blues charts. Both of the principles have never sounded better, the band is well.. Double Trouble for gods sake! They are flawless throughout as is Charlie Musselwhite and Reese Wynans. I mean hell when you add up all the years, miles and experience these fellas collectively have it boggles the mind the same way this remarkable recording will. I only hope that there will be a sequel to this one as I found myself chomping at the bit for more as soon as the last track was played. Get to your nearest retailer and crack open Whiskey Store and take a big drink of one of this years tastiest brews, but be forewarned it is dangerously intoxicating in the best of all possible ways!"