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Magazine: Vara tvguide. |
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Nice Lazy Songs
When Tina Turner sings "Steamy Windows" the result is a rather exciting song. Blurred car windows. Clumsy fumbling, tension and passion on the squared centimeter. The writer of this song, Tony Joe White, could retire on the royalties of this song and from a jewel that he wrote earlier: "Polk Sald Annie" which was interpreted by Elvis in a way that made money roll. White, a man from Texas with a deep sonorous voice, has written more songs that made it more or less to the charts with other artists. Artists from all kinds of musical directions: Ray Charles and Waylon Jennings, Joe Cocker and Tim McCraw. Does this make White a phenomenon? Maybe so. He has fourteen CD's behind his name. In March he 'did' Australia in an incredible pace, the past weeks he was audible and visible in Norway and Sweden. Is he well-known? Yes. Famous? No. Is he remarkable? Yes, that certainly. It is his attractive laid-back way of making songs. The warm, sweaty atmosphere of the swamps in Louisiana covers his songs like a net and bring to the listener something of a pleasant sensation of calmness. Recently he released a new disc into the world, on his own label (MRCD 241), called Snakey. In France Tony Joe White is more than a cult hero and I have been told that he appeals mostly to women. His hairdo, his denim suits, his hat, his male jewelry and especially his bourbon voice are devoured by Frenchwomen like sweet candy and more. What does the new White bring us? Strictly speaking one could say 'much of the known model', but what can be brought in against that? If you ever bought music by White, you are quickly tempted to purchase everything, so you will also buy this new disc. By the way he directs you to a well designed website (www.tonyjoewhite.net) where you can order all his music as well as T-shirts, caps, etc… White has made music for over thirty years. I have followed him all that time and each time it comes to my mind: I have heard this before and each time I enjoy his music. It is a matter of evolving with your time and yet barely changing yourself. That is an art. Mart Smeets presents 'For The Record' every Thursday night, (Dutch)Radio 1, 01:02 hour. |
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Mart Smeets Vara guide April 5 2003 |
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