Tony Joe White
Tony Joe White is one of the most captivating of all singer/songwriters. He draws you into a story and lets you see beyond the shadows.
In 1969, the Louisiana native introduced his brand of swampy blues with his Top 10 hit "Polk Salad Annie." Now revered as one of the originators of swamp rock, White gained legendary status in Europe following a successful debut at the historic Isle of Wight Festival of 1970. His European following spawned a career that has now spanned more than 40 years. Over the next three decades, Tony Joe toured in support of artists including Creedence Clearwater Revival, James Taylor, Eric Clapton, and Joe Cocker. His songs have been recorded by Elvis, Ray Charles, Tina Turner, Kenny Chesney, Hank Williams Jr., and Dusty Springfield, to name but a few.
In 2006, Tony Joe released Uncovered, featuring guest appearances by Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, J.J. Cale, and Waylon Jennings. The album incorporates both new compositions as well as re-imagined versions of his classics, including "Rainy Night In Georgia" and "Did Somebody Make A Fool."
White has most recently recast a number of his classic songs on Deep Cuts, definitively proving that time has no jurisdiction over funky. Tony Joe cut the tracks with a rich palette of beats and loops, utilizing both digital and live drums, strings, organs, and the unmistakable timbre of his guitar. White's timeworn baritone is positively haunting, like a restless spirit conjured by the funk that was always the core of his music. Deep Cuts not only updates a cache of classic songs for a contemporary audience, it reframes them, revisiting his timeless imagery in a new, modern context. With Deep Cuts, Tony Joe himself reveals that there is still plenty to be gleaned from his irresistible, timeless groove.
American Songwriter magazine's senior editor Paul Zollo chose Deep Cuts as the #7 album of 2008.