It's Been A Long Time Comin'!
Bill Board | God's Wrath, Ohio | 09/09/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Like "Mama" above said, Tony Joe is the very essence of cool. And with pals like Mark Knopfler, Eric Clapton, J.J. Cale, the already-conspicious-by-his-absence, Waylon Jennings, and even Michael McDonald of "Doobie" bros fame - Tony Joe's THE MAN. I particularly LOVE the track "Rebellion," because it deals with commercialization trying to make TJW more..."palpable" to the unwashed masses, i.e, "They told me that I had to get commercialized if I was going to fit in with the show - NO!" The track, "Baby Don't Look Down," with McDonald just about lets you forgive him, his "Doobie" past. He CAN sing da bluz when he wants to. And the final track, "Keeper Of The Fire," is one of the finest, most honest, no-frills "love songs" to date, "She's an intellectual Woman - I'm a low maintenance man" My only problem - and this is maybe indicitive of the fact that I need to get an "equalizer" or something for my system -is that, this being Swamp Music, TJW "forte" if you will, is a little heavy on the bass. Well...I can live with it. Tony Joe, it's good to have you back. When are you coming to Dayton?"
Like A Licking Flame
Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 10/08/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Starting in 1998 with "One Hot July," and continuing through "The Beginning," "Snakey" & "The Heroines," Tony Joe White has put out a series of brilliant low-key sets. "Undercover" continues this streak. The opener "Run for Cover" cooks like Louisiana lightning, "Our body heat could start a global warming." Reviewer Thom Jurek wrote that "Not One Bad Thought" began with White & Mark Knopfler sitting at a campfire with some food & beer before they headed into the studio for the recording of this searing guitar laden thunder-rocker. Eric Clapton recorded his part for "Did Somebody Make a Fool Out of You" from London and was digitally added into the mix with his bluesy guitar weeping soulfully. White's voice is so deep and reflects strength, lust, betrayal and gentleness almost at the same time on "Louvelda," "I know you got a man. Does he treat you right? You know I lie awake and think about it late at night." "Rebellion" is a great song that seethes with anger about how commercial music business dictates packaging over the artistic choices of the music. My favorite track is "Shakin' the Blues" with one of Waylon Jennings' last vocals. Waylon sings, "They got an unmutual disrespect, so dissatisfied," and White blends in "You got an unnatural hold on me, but the truth is I don't mind." This track smokes & sears with Tony Joe's burning guitar. Michael McDonald joins white for "Baby, Don't Look Down" which is a satisfying mellow blues as McDonald sings, "You must be careful baby because the air gets real thin while you're up there on the tightrope somewhere between me & him." The set concludes with "Keeper of the Fire" a seething track with White's guitar like a licking flame. "Undercover" is another great CD that continues Tony Joe White's music as some of the boldest, most uncompromising on disc. Bravo!"
Tony Joe White delivers!
Lori J. Rosendahl | Magna, UT United States | 01/03/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"All Tony Joe White fans will love this cd. It is classic Tony Joe. You will not be disappointed."