I Hear Thunder marks a return to recording for Tab Benoit. With 13 years between albums, he’s recording music that stirs his soul. Rugged guitar tones and fierce vocals permeate an album that leads the listener by means of the emotional pathways of heartfelt blues from previous to current. 

You left all of it within the ring on I Hear Thunder.

I need to ensure that somebody out right here is doing trustworthy music. I can’t say it’s simple, but it surely’s what we want. It’s really easy to pretend it lately. Everyone goes into the studio and makes use of each instrument obtainable simply because it’s obtainable. We don’t must be doing that – not within the blues world. I’m simply following what the old-school guys did. The stuff I beloved was performed uncooked. They recorded it as soon as with everyone collectively – and no auto-tune (laughs)!

Why so lengthy between albums?

I used to be caught in the identical report deal from once I began. I signed a nasty cope with no lawyer once I was in my early 20s. I didn’t know what I used to be signing, and I only in the near past bought out of it. I didn’t need to give any music away. It means an excessive amount of to me. My viewers has been following me since ’92. They know me. I’m associates with them. I may have put out a crappy album to satisfy the report deal, however I’ve to speak to my viewers each evening. I waited till they let me out of the contract, which solely occurred just a few years in the past. I Hear Thunder is what occurs if you don’t should reply to anyone.

How did you method recording?

I removed the producers and engineers with an excessive amount of data (laughs)! I like to put in writing issues quick and never overthink or return and second-guess. I need to really feel what’s occurring proper now, put it down, and transfer on. I don’t need to have an effect on it or tweak it. After I begin writing, we gotta begin recording – get it accomplished! That retains it recent. “Nonetheless Grey” was written for Josh Garrett, and when he heard me sing it, he stated, “I can’t sing it like that. It’s essential do it.”

Had been you utterly hands-on with this report?

Fully! I combined and mastered it, and all the pieces was in-house. My guitar is what 10 seems like (laughs). You possibly can’t try this at residence; it’s a must to be in the proper setting. I used Class 5 amps, and one is predicated on a mid-’60s Tremendous Reverb, the opposite on a mid-’60s Twin. One is 45 watts, the opposite 100 with two 12s. Individuals name Don at Class 5 and go, “I would like that Tab Benoit amp!” He says, “What are you going to be doing with it (laughs)?” As a result of when you play in a small bar, you’re not going to get that sound. My amps are cranked all the best way up. In the event you try this, your band goes to hate you, and when you solely play at residence, you undoubtedly don’t need that amp! Apparently, I don’t promote a number of signature fashions (laughs). 

Do you place pedals in entrance of it?

No! I don’t need something between the guitar and the amp – in any respect! Not even a tuner. I don’t need that sign damaged. Each time I plug something between them, I lose one thing. So, all the pieces on the album is an amp-and-guitar mixture, that’s it. The guitar is a instrument to ship emotion, feeling, and the tune. I attempt to preserve my head out of it.

What’s your important guitar?

It’s a 1972 Thinline Tele and the one factor that’s been modified had been elements that went dangerous – pots, switches, tuning keys. I’ve had it since ’92. It doesn’t play nice as a result of it’s bought the three-bolt neck that’s all the time shifting. I preserve the motion as excessive as I can get it. Onstage, I’ve gotten used to tuning and adjusting it. There’s one thing to giving up playability for tone. A guitar that performs simple or nice doesn’t have the juice. These which are tougher to play all the time have the most effective sound. If I decide up a Jackson, I can’t even get a observe out of it. I hit it too onerous with my proper hand as a result of I began as a drummer and I method guitar with a drummer’s thoughts. I make music by means of rhythms. – Oscar Jordan

This text initially appeared in VG’s February 2025 difficulty. All copyrights are by the writer and Classic Guitar journal. Unauthorized replication or use is strictly prohibited.