Revered as one of the originators of swamp rock, Tony Joe White has recast a number of his classic songs on Deep Cuts, proving that time has no jurisdiction over funky. His signature groove, starting from his 1969 hit "Pol... more »k Salad Annie," is what he uses to paint a vivid picture of the world he experienced growing up, where poverty provided unity between otherwise divided races and bad-news women were sometimes too good to pass up. Tony Joe cut the tracks with his son Jody providing a rich palette of beats and loops, utilizing both digital and live drums, strings, organs, and the unmistakable timbre of his guitar. White's time-worn baritone is positively haunting, like a restless spirit conjured by the funk that was always the core of his music. As a collective work, Deep Cuts portrays the complications of living on the cusp of impending danger, be it an encounter with a brutal country sheriff or a poisonous snake through the eyes of a master songwriter who has seen and lived all of it. 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 reveals that there is still plenty to be gleaned from his irresistible, timeless groove.« less
Revered as one of the originators of swamp rock, Tony Joe White has recast a number of his classic songs on Deep Cuts, proving that time has no jurisdiction over funky. His signature groove, starting from his 1969 hit "Polk Salad Annie," is what he uses to paint a vivid picture of the world he experienced growing up, where poverty provided unity between otherwise divided races and bad-news women were sometimes too good to pass up. Tony Joe cut the tracks with his son Jody providing a rich palette of beats and loops, utilizing both digital and live drums, strings, organs, and the unmistakable timbre of his guitar. White's time-worn baritone is positively haunting, like a restless spirit conjured by the funk that was always the core of his music. As a collective work, Deep Cuts portrays the complications of living on the cusp of impending danger, be it an encounter with a brutal country sheriff or a poisonous snake through the eyes of a master songwriter who has seen and lived all of it. 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 reveals that there is still plenty to be gleaned from his irresistible, timeless groove.
CD Reviews
WeinbergsGotHisHeadUpHisA**
Rico | Pittsburgh, Pa | 06/26/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Top notch release from a swamp rock original. A modern touch added to a few of his classics. Similar to but not quite as over-the-top as the studio craft exhibited on RL Burnside's last releases on Fat Possum. "Purists" like to whine & bitch. But what's the problem with a deserving artist making some money by molding his music perhaps to attract a younger listener brought up in a ProTools world, especially when the music doesn't lose it's essential groove or identity? If you don't like it, listen to the old records and shut up."
Dark, brooding, swamp funk
Jack C. Simmons | san Pedro | 06/13/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"There just is nothing out there like this. I saw TJW live in LA the other night, and he shook the rafters. I am wondering if the first reviewer even heard the cd, it sounds like he hated the concept. TJW is a special artist, and his sound takes its time, he's in no hurry. What you get are deep beats, that snake underneath each song, and dare you to slow down and listen. There is much more here than meets the ear the first time around. The sound is more modern than his older stuff, but maintains the booming voice, and that greasy, swamp rhythm, that he reintroduced on "Undercover". He also slips in some of the prettiest chord changes, that layer on top of this relentless beat and bring a humane quality you might not associate with this sound. This was the guy who wrote "Rainy Night in Georgia" My advice, turn off the phones, TV, pour a stiff one, and listen deep to or three times. It reveals itself slowly. Btw his band, which I believe had his son in it, were powerful. TJW, give him credit for not going down the same roads he could easily travel.. see him live.."
Moby does TJW??? TJW does Moby??
Luigi Facotti | Chicago Il | 06/14/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"A very mature, thoughtful and up to date sound from TJW under the production skills of his son - Jody - moody, even symphonic in its reach with aspects of Moby. Do not dismiss this album without hearing it - it is not a cheap update - but a revelation of the real depth of the originals - TJWs best album in some time and an opportunity to revisit Swamp Rock in all its glory. Funky."
Chunky Your Funky
Mark A. Cartier | Portland, Or. USA | 06/23/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"There is not a bad cut on this CD - as one of the other reviewers suggested, turn the lights down, grab a drink, put your arms around a loved one and let the music take you away.
Blues/Swamp Funk/updated sound. Very well done. Ignore the one review. Well worth the money."
Hot Swamp Fire
Jesse David Black | Revolution City, UFSA | 07/23/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I buy TJW's music. When it comes out, I buy it. That's just the way it is. I have to admit, I can't always define his music as great, I can just define as TJW music. And that is good enough for me. When I read that "Deep Cuts'" titles were old titles and, what I thought would be, just some more of the same, I was wrong. Yes, old songs but with a refreshing twist. I feel that this is one for the collection and for my personal tastes, it's one of his best. Moody, slow, funky, and more than just rehash on the swamp fire to mix up in your crawdad pie."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1