The fox of the swamps is back with a real treasure in his wallet, "One Hot July", of which the subtle and refined compositions, just like in the old days and rare nowadays, seem indispensable to rock the sweetness of the summer.
After having appeared in a remarkable way, which could not have passed unnoticed, when his daughter Michelle passed by at the "New Morning" ("it was long ago that I was paid to play (laughter)"), Tony Joe White lit a fire at La Cigale (the Cricket) during a concert which was splendid and ravishing leaving fans and seculars on the Paris' pavement. We met him the morning after this wonderful performance.
"One Hot July" is my best album so far. In the first place because for the very first time I've recorded this album in my home state Louisiana. Before this I always went to Memphis or Nashville or to the Muscle Shoals Studios in Alabama. Finding myself in the middle of the swamps, surrounded by alligators, stimulated me to change my way of singing and of playing my guitar. As a result, the new songs possess a simplicity that gives them truthfulness and my way of playing was purified.
When I started my career I played in a style that could best be described as rock, complete with big hauls. Nowadays I prefer the licky blues that I can make glide by little touches. This is a natural evolution, which is not due to practising playing my guitar or to me trying to improve my technique. Since I've never done one or the other. Admitting that he plays better than ever, Tony Joe White has also changed armament by allowing his voice, fingers and mouth organ to express freely.
"I've mainly used an old Strato from '64, with the exceptions of "Cold Fingers" as the solo is played on a Lake Placid and of "One Hot July" which was recorded with a Les Paul. On the other hand, as far as the amplifiers are concerned, I've been loyal to my Blues Deville"
Another noticeable aspect of White 1999 is his particular technique of the wah-wah. Tony Joe uses this effect on the moments one is least expecting them, for instance often in the middle of a song, generating hallucinating sounds which arise from distorted sentences lasting only fractions of seconds. I've always considered this pedal as an extension piece of my mouth organ. I've never understood or known why. I use the pedal parsimonious, I prefer to couple the wah-wah punctually. Less is best!"
Finally, the Fox is optimistic about a common tour with his friend J.J.Cale as it has been less than twenty years that this project has been planned. But to get the bear out of his cave (after all he launched this idea) that will be another story.
Guitare & claviers
July 1999
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