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Tab Benoit
Wetlands
When the Artist and Producer Work Together

Tab Benoit's "Wetlands," co-produced with Randy Labbe, shows what happens when a talented artist has a vision about an album and communicates that vision with the producer. The result is an album that emphasizes Benoit's south Louisiana roots, and the intimate sound of a small combo.

Benoit sees to the former, building his solos around Cajun melodies ("I Got Loaded") and washboard rhythms ("Dog Hill"). Labbe takes care of the latter, creating a small-room atmosphere to compliment Benoit's small-combo sound. The overall impression is of sitting on the floor of a wooden shack, with Benoit's amp close by, but not too loud. There's no hint of an echo on any of the instruments, including the drums. Everything seems contained. There is, however, one tune that departs from this small room atmosphere. The acoustic "Stackolina" sounds as if Benoit and the harmonica player are playing outside, but the south Louisiana "feel" remains. It sounds as if it were recorded by the dock, next to a house on stilts.