Tony Joe White Celebrates 70th B-Day with a New Track "The Gift" via LA Times

I can't believe Tony Joe White, the ol' Swamp Fox, is 70. Wow. But he's not slowing down. In September he is releasing a new CD, Hoodoo, via Yep Roc Records. In honor of his 70th birthday (July 23, 2013), White released a new track "The Gift" from his forthcoming LP.

You can stream "The Gift" via The Los Angeles Times and\or purchase at iTunes.

“The gift is music and songs" White explains. "But it was just too powerful for this boy in the song, so he sat up in an old slave graveyard with a bottle of wine and a guitar.” As the protagonist hangs his head in lamentation, figures walk out of the past and appear before him, led by a mysterious woman. “These figures were Robert Johnson, Lightnin’ Hopkins, and guys from off the plantations, and she was protecting them, because they hadn’t crossed over. They didn’t know how to. But this strange white boy on a tombstone starts singing and playing and singing this tune and…you can hear how it ends in the song, but it gives me chillbumps when I think about it.”

Tony Joe White & Shane Hines at Jammin Java

Last Sunday October 24th, we bounced back and forth between the Mike Melchione Benefit and Jammin Java, where former local musician Shane Hines and Tony Joe White were scheduled. We started the evening filming a few songs by Hines which are available on the MyJoog YouTube channel.  Hines returns to Jammin Java November 10th for a CD release party. Many of the songs he performed came from this CD and reflect his move to Nashville and family life. I know its hard being away from family; one of his best is "Choices Make Us".We look forward to that show.

Its been a long time since the venue scheduled an artist like Louisiana’s swamp artist  Tony Joe White. I mean a historical figure whose presence you will never forget. The last such experience was seeing Billy Joe Shaver years ago.White is also supporting a new CD, The Shine and played a mixture of new and old - asking for requests throughout the night. A spirited crowd kept White motivated as he played both electric and acoustic - accompanied simply with a drum kit. I'm not sure what was more impressive - his guitar playing or voice - that deep soulful sound.And what an encore - the crowd cheered for an eternity - until White returned. I began to worry that he wouldn't return, but when he did, he even acknowledged the crowd. Finally got to hear "Rainy Night in Georgia".