Tony Joe White: Hoodoo
Tony Joe White
Hoodoo
(Yep Roc Records)
The âswamp guitarâ legend and writer of âRainy Night in Georgiaâ Tony Joe White has a new album for us all, entitled Hoodoo.
The opening track, “The Gift,â is a mix of White and his cracker jack band. âHoled Upâ follows with a slinky tight guitar menace of power chords and perfectly placed lead moments (White never overstays his welcome with his playing) and the positively swampy stomp of âWho You Gonna Hoodoo Now?â is actually a poppy read with organ from NC Thurman easing into the mix, Bryan Owingsâ drumming about as perfect here as it is everywhere else on the disc and some great over-dubbed guitar playing from White.
For a man whose tunes have been covered by Tina Turner, Elvis and many others, a guy who sings with a growl of conviction only decades in the business can build and a man who sets a bunch of great players around him, itâs no wonder Hoodoo is as good as it is. Most of these tunes were recorded in one take actually, and the ease of playing matched with the songwriting and performance here should not be missed.
âAlligator, Mississippiâ is a perfect story song with White offering harmonica as much as lead guitar and âStorm Cominââ again features drummer Owings plus the bass of Steve Forrest making another commercial track. âSweet Toothâ ends it all with a sexy lyric-of-a-tune with once again White playing his heart out.