Tony Joe White
The Complete Warner Bros. Recordings
Real Gone Music
Tony Joe White scored his biggest hit way back in ’69 with “Polk Salad Annie,” but continued to make great music long after that stomping swamp-rock classic (and does to this day). Collecting three fine albums and six rare singles sides, The Complete Warner Bros. Recordings showcases the Louisiana man’s early ’70s output. With a deep, come-hither voice not unlike Barry White (no relation) or Isaac Hayes, White is equally adept at gorgeous romantic ballads (“For Ol’ Times Sake”) and rockin’ tall tales (“They Caught the Devil and Put Him in Jail in Eudora, Arkansas”), infusing everything he does with funky good humor. If “Backwoods Preacher Man” or “I’ve Got a Thing About You Baby” doesn’t make you smile, seek professional help pronto.