© 2006 Tab Benoit


Telarc Records 2004
 Whiskey Store Live
In 2002, Tab Benoit and Jimmy Thackery did what blues guitar slingers rarely do, record Whiskey Store, a co-billed project loaded with plenty of free-wheeling , string-bending expression and jaw-dropping, over-the-top soloing.  While there was plenty of sky-lighting fireworks ignited by the technically precise Thackery and the rawer-sounding Benoit, somehow it seemed there was still more sonic soul exploration to be tapped. (review continued below)

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1. Freddy's Combo
 4. Bone Pickin'
 7. Bayou Boogie
2. I Got Loaded
 5. Away, Way too Long
 8. These Arms of Mine
3. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat
 6. Strange Things Happen
 9. Whiskey Store

Musicians: Tab Benoit, Jimmy Thackery
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Photo by Joanne Knight and Bill Harrell respectively.

CD Review: Whiskey Store Live
by Dan Willging, Offbeat Magazine

In 2002, Tab Benoit and Jimmy Thackery did what blues guitar slingers rarely do, record Whiskey Store, a co-billed project loaded with plenty of free-wheeling, string-bending expression and jaw-dropping, over-the-top soloing. While there was plenty of sky-lighting fireworks ignited by the technically precise Thackery and the rawer-sounding Benoit, somehow it seemed there was still more sonic soul exploration to be tapped.

The second summit meeting between these two titans proves that such was destined and not just some ill-conceived marketing ploy designed to sell more units. Recorded live at the Unity Center for Performing Arts, Unity, Maine, Benoit, Thackery and their collective dual-drummer arsenal jam, slam and breathe fire from beginning to end.  They kick off with the rompin' "Freddy's Combo," an instrumental tribute to Freddie King, and follow with a jukin' version of Li'l Bob's South Louisana party anthem "I Got Loaded".  A rendition of Dylan's "Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat" rocks with it's bluesy underpinnings and Thackery's attempted Dylan nasally croonings. Benoit cranks it up next with his original "Bone Pickin'," and the foray continues through "Away, Way too Long" (an Anders Osborne co-written tune). Eventually they do catch their breath with the swanky uptown feel of "Strange Things Happen" that sports killer rides from saxman Jimmy Carpenter and B-3 screamer Ken Faltinson.

"If we give you the boogie, can you handle it?" Benoit sneers before launching into the disc's most torrid jam, "Bayou Boogie".  A scorching nine minutes later, an exhausted Benoit breaks down, exclaiming, "No, I can't boogie no more", uttering the perfect response to such a mountainous feat. After that, ya think they'd be spent but "These Arms of Mine" moves gently into a monumental buildup while the gut-wrenching "Whiskey Store" closes out these memorable proceedings. A well-distilled concoction, the whiskey consumed in this store requires no additional aging.