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In Memoriam – Tony Joe White

Thursday, October 25, 2018 By Shawn Underwood

Back in the late 80’s and early 90’s I lived in Chicago.  Popular music, whether created in Nashville or Los Angeles, wasn’t capturing my ears or heart.  Fortunately, I could go down to North Halsted any night of the week and hear blues from some of the greats; Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Otis Rush, Sugar Blue.  After a couple of years, a funny thing happened.  I heard Tony Joe White for the first time.  Here was a guy taking those talking–well–mumbling vocals and putting them over a dirty, fuzzy, reverbed-up electric guitar and a rhythm section like the proverbial brick shithouse.  Just like those tiny clubs on the north side.  Except the songs were closer to Nashville than Chicago.  It was a mind opening experience for me.

Turns out, it was like that for a lot of people.  Check out this video: nobody else gets the Foo Fighters as their backup band.  As you’ve no doubt heard, Tony Joe White passed away today and the world is a poorer place for it.


About the author:  I've actually driven from Tehatchapee to Tonopah. And I've seen Dallas from a DC-9 at night.


Filed Under: Americana, Blues, In Memoriam, Outlaw Country, Reviews Tagged With: Tony Joe White

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