| Tony Joe White at Bilston. | ||
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12th April 2005.
It wasn’t a rainy night in Bilston but we found ourselves in a swampy atmosphere. As the audience waited, the strains of Closer to the Truth could be heard somewhere behind the stage. Visions of the redman in the mists of the forest around a fire, collecting wood in the rain threatened campsite, then on stage out walks the tall rangy, handsome quiet figure of the Swampfox Mr Tony Joe White……..Enjoy. A great night with Tony Joe White Tony came on stage dressed in black as usual. He played his songs, he opened with Rich Woman Blues, which he played on his own before bringing on his drummer. He then did Undercover Agent For The Blues, one of the best songs he does so well live on stage. This was followed by Roosevelt And Ira Lee, something of a standard that he clearly loves to sing. Then came a real crowd pleaser of a song, The Organic Shuffle. This song is becoming a favourite with the his fans and was greeted well. The star’s own composition Rainy Night In Georgia followed, this song is a true masterpiece, made famous by the late Brook Benton. Fleetwood Cadillac from the album One Hot July came next, quickly followed by Do You Have A Garter Belt these were well received by the audience, a lot of fans sat at tables in front of the stage with the rest stood behind with the bar on the left hand side watching the man from the swamps. An older song followed, Closing In On The Fire. So well recorded by the late Nashville rebel, Waylon Jennings. This was the first time I have heard Tony do this fine song on stage. Back Porch Therapy from the Heroines album came next, an almost whispered song, very quiet. A good rendition of Good in Blues, one of my friend’s favorite TJW songs was next, much to his delight. Despite my appeals he did not sing Ain’t Going Down This Time, but with him writing and recording so many fine songs, he just can only do so many on one night. We were already covered in swamp dust at this stage. Polk Salad Annie, perhaps TJs most famous song, was done with much relish, though I thought a little shorter than usual. Tony Joe then left the stage along with Jack, his drummer to return to finish off with a much requested Steamy Windows. Tony did not return at the end of the show to speak to his adoring fans, one of the sound engineers saying they were off to Dublin at 5am the next day. Tony Joe still provides a great show, something unique these days for one man and his drummer. There is still an aura around this great talent, which is not generally recognized, apart from his fine songwriting. On speaking to Tony Joe before his session at the Barbican a couple of days previously on the fine IT CAME FROM MEMPHIS show, he said he may be back to Britain in July and maybe Europe. Let’s hope so, we can get our swamp food topped up to last until his next eagerly awaited visit to these shores. |
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Bill Woolham (UK) Apr 14 2005 |
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