Tony Joe White:' Ah, the odour of sweating Belgians!'.
Tony Joe White (59) grew up on a cotton farm in Oak Grove, Louisiana, which can be heard in each note of his music: he has produced his very own mix of blues, rock, country and gospel - swamp rock. Music, which sounds so greasy, oiled and heated that you must actually see the man perform in order to realise that he is not black (he is half white and half Cherokee). Which is fortunate as he comes to our country on June 22, for a single European appearance, in Harelbeke. It's worth going round for as Tony Joe White is one of the best songwriters in the history of pop music: amongst others Elvis Presley, Ray Charles, BB King, Roy Orbison, Etta James, Dusty Springfield, Tina Turner and Joe Cocker have covered several of his songs. 'I will play numerous requested songs in Belgium' he promises 'as well as a few things from 'Snaky', my new CD which, by then I hope, can be listened to through my website. One thing can be guaranteed: after my performance the grassland will have become a swamp since everyone present will have danced himself or herself into sweat. I will be able to smell you on stage' The 10 records which changed his life:
1. 'Baby, please don't go'· Lightnin' Hopkins
Tony Joe White"At our place in Louisiana gospel and country were most often heard. At home everyone could play a music instrument: my father, my mother, my sisters and my brother. I was the only one who had never touched an instrument, as I preferred to play baseball. This changed when I first heard 'Baby, please don't go'.
I was fourteen, my brother had bought the record and I was lost. Baffling the richness of tones that Lightnin' Hopkins could produce from his acoustic guitar. And of course his voice: dark, tormented, catching. But especially the way his feet gave the rhythm made my soul dance. He was a singer, a guitar-player and a drummer at the same time: a whole band in one person."
2. 'Boom Boom'· John Lee Hooker
White" 'Boom Boom' has got more body than 'Baby Please Don't Go'- it has an electric guitar, bass and drum and it has more drive- although John Lee Hooker's guitar-playing is simpler than that of Lightnin' Hopkins. However he produced an incredible rocking blues. I've also covered this song myself."
3. 'Don't be cruel' and ' It's now or never'· Elvis Presley
White" I was familiar with 'Hounddog', but only upon hearing 'Don't be cruel' did my friends and I decide to comb our hair in Elvis' style as well as grow muttonchops. 'It's now or never' appeared at the time that I fell in love for the first time. I've danced my first slow on that song- or at least the first dance where I really felt something."
Humo: Later Elvis covered a few of your songs.
White" The first time I met him he said that he had sung 'Polk Salad Annie' so often live that it started to feel that he had written that song himself. I replied: 'that's how you sing it'. That is the whole art: making a song sound like it comes straight from your heart, even if someone else has written it. Elvis always treated me cool: when he recorded 'Polk Salad Annie' live in the Hilton in Las Vegas he flew my wife and me over."
Humo: You have also written 'Rainy Night in Georgia' which made the charts in the beautiful version of Brook Benton.
White " That song was found on my second record, and I was not yet used to singing slow songs myself. My friend, Donnie Fritts, took that song to Jerry Wexler, the record-producer, and not much later I received a single with the version of Brook Benton. I've listened to it dozens of times and each time I was stunned. So beautiful!'
4. 'Girl from Ipanema'· Stan Getz & Astrud Gilberto
White " I was performing in a local nightclub on the beach of Corpus Christy, Texas- 10 dollars a night, for a performance of 4 hours! - when I first heard that song. I was familiar with blues and soul, but this was something different, which tremendously appealed to me. Since then I have played 'Ipanema' on numerous occasions, most often in an instrumental version- and each time the dance floor was crowded with people who all made small, sensual samba-movements. Yesterday I listened to this song and it remains a great song."
5. 'Ordinary Love'· Sade
White " I met Sade through Roger Davies (Tina Turner's manager who also manages White since 'Foreign Affair' Ed.). He send me an early version of 'Ordinary Love', and I was immediately hooked. The tape remained in my car for a very long period and each time I drove to some place I listened to that song. I still melt when I hear it being played; it has such a comforting melody. And then that voice! Gratifying all senses."
6. 'These arms of mine'· Otis Redding
White " I could easily pick hundred songs of Otis Redding for my list of favourite records, but if I really have to choose, it will be 'These Arms of Mine'. I had often heard soul songs being sung, but the day I heard this song I really understood how deep genuine soul can go."
7. 'Baby what you want me to do'· Jimmy Reed
This song brings me back to Kingsville, Texas: my first performance outside Louisiana. The first thing I learned to play in the club that I was performing was "Big Boss Man', as Jimmy Reed was the best way of getting a cooled audience out of their shells. The only possessions I had were my guitar, my mouth organ and Jimmy Reed; without him I would not have made it. But the public really got nuts when I played 'Baby What You Want Me To Do' (Sings:) 'You got me running! You got me hiding! You got me run, hide, peep, hide, anyway you want me. Let it roll! You got me doing what you want to, Baby what you want me to do.' Just that chorus and the building was shaking. "I once saw Jimmy Reed perform: his wife joined him on stage, to whisper the texts."
8. 'Foreign Affair'· Tina Turner
White" All the songs that I have written for Tina Turner could fit in this top 10: 'Steamy Windows', 'Undercover Agent for the Blues' or the duet that I wrote for her and Sting: 'On Silent Wings'. But the best of all is 'Foreign Affair' "Our first encounter was at least as impressive as the first time I spoke to Elvis. I was very excited and nervous."
Humo: She probably made you a rich man, as far as you were not wealthy yet.
White" Yes, those four songs gave me some savings other people can only dream to possess. Originally she would only sing one of my songs, 'Undercover Agent for the Blues', but she ended taking the whole lot. On the tracks I personally play the guitar; I was fortunate to see the songs grow."
Humo: weren't you overwhelmed with requests for songs from other artists after the success of the songs that you wrote for Tina Turner?
White" No, not really. There are only very few artists who understand what I am doing: Tina Turner, Joe Cocker, Waylon Jennings… They immediately understand my music."
Humo: Do you also sing "Foreign Affair' Yourself?
White" No, the other songs that I have written for Tina yes, but when she recorded 'Foreign Affair', I sensed that I should not touch it anymore. It is her tune."
Humo: Don't you mind that your reputation as a songwriter excels your reputation as a singer?
White" On the contrary: by writing songs for others I get to know famous artists. With a little luck I am asked to play along when the song is recorded, and afterwards I can always play my own version. It really is a win-win-situation (laughs)."
9. 'Dreaming my dreams with you'· Waylon Jennings
Somewhere in '78 Waylon visited me in Memphis- we already knew each other by name, but it was the first time we actually met. "You always play a Stratocaster, don't you?" he asked me and I nodded yes. He then said: "Just walk along with me.' And we walked towards his old Cadillac. He opened the trunk, and in an old brown suitcase it held an authentic Fender Stratocaster from '58, perfectly maintained: as if it had spend twenty years just lying underneath his bed. Man! Waylon just said: 'Personally I prefer a Telecaster.' I replied 'I know' So he said: 'This instrument is too tight for me" and then gave it to me. 'Don't forget me' he added. And I never will. Giving away a Strat from '58, that's a big deal, man. Since 'Dreaming My Dreams with You' is one of my favourite songs (laughs)."
10 'Jailer'· J.J. Cale
White" It was late one evening. I was driving my truck, in the neighbourhood of Greenville, Mississippi. Eating miles, killing time. My sister left a CD about in the cabin: '10' from J.J. Cale. I stuck it into the CD player, and I've listened to it at least thirty times in a row. I especially enjoyed 'Jailer': a real funky song, which doesn't allow you to sit still. " J.J. is visiting me next week. He must perform somewhere in the neighbourhood, and he has asked me to assist on a few songs with my guitar and mouth-instrument."
Humo: Take him along to Harelbeke!
White"I've tried so often to convince him to join me on an European Tour, but he refuses."
Humo Just inform him about the slip-museum of Jan Bucquoy in Harelbeke, that just might convince him.
White "Excuse-me?"
Humo: Sorry, slip of the tongue. Thank you for this conversation.
Humo (Belgium magazine)
June 18 2002
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