Expanded commentary from my article on Examiner.com…
I like different music for different reasons. I like music that makes me think and ponder; I like music that evokes images and emotions. I like music that challenges my ears.
And then there is music that is just plain “soul food”, like a greasy plate of fried chicken, corn on the cob, and chocolate pie–without the calories. Music that’s just good for the soul.
That’s what I heard from Tab Benoit at the Little Bear Saloon last night (which I also wrote about here). Hailing from southern Louisiana, Benoit plays a unique blend of Cajun blues-rock that flat-out dares you not to stomp your foot, or at least smile. The temperature in Evergreen, Colorado last evening was 2 above zero, but it was sizzling inside.
It was the first time I’d seen Benoit play, and in his easygoing, spontaneous style, he’s a true-blue musician (pun intended). Twice in a half hour he broke a guitar string playing a solo, and didn’t miss a beat. He just finished the solo, and the song, on the five good strings. And he enjoyed himself; you could see it on his face. He was all about the music. I’m not a blues musician; he made me wish I was.
If you want a taste of some soul music, and you happen to live in Denver, you have a chance tonight. Tab Benoit is still in the area, playing at the Gothic Theatre downtown this evening. Get some tickets, and go see him.